10 Warning Signs That You Might Have Diabetes

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6. Feeling very hungry and sudden weight loss

People with diabetes do not properly process the sugar from the food they eat due to insulin resistance (Type 2 diabetes) or insufficiency (Type 1 diabetes). As a result, they feel hungry even after eating, a condition called hyperphagia.

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7. Blurry vision

Chronically high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that detects light. Diabetic retinopathy can cause blood vessels in the retina to leak or bleed, impacting vision. If left untreated, abnormal blood vessels increase, possibly leading to scarring, cell loss, and blindness.

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8. Yeast infections

Research shows a significant link between yeast infections and hyperglycemia (excess glucose in the bloodstream) in women with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. If there is too much sugar in the body it becomes a breeding ground for yeast, which may lead to an infection.

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9. Chronic fatigue

Research shows that chronic fatigue is highly prevalent in people with Type 1 diabetes. Lack of insulin may change the energy source from carbs to fat. When glycogen (energy) stores are exhausted, the conversion into energy slows down, causing fatigue. Low blood sugar is also a cause of fatigue because the body doesn’t have enough fuel.

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10. Patches of darkening skin

High levels of insulin in the blood — when the pancreas makes the hormone, but the body doesn’t use it properly, causing a buildup in the bloodstream — can lead to epidermal skin cells reproducing quickly. Areas around the neck, armpits, and groin become brown and even sometimes slightly raised. This can also happen on the hands, elbows, and knees. The condition is called acanthosis nigricans.