The symptoms of diabetes differ between males and females, and in children and adults.

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body isn’t able to regulate your blood sugar levels. A high blood sugar level can lead to diabetes symptoms such as:

There are similarities between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The types develop at different speeds. This causes symptoms to be different.

Diabetes symptoms are the results of high blood sugar levels in the body.

These symptoms are caused by type 1 diabetes. Over time, type 2 diabetes develops slowly.

Common early symptoms include:

Type 1 diabetes symptoms come on very quickly, often over a few weeks, as the body’s pancreas stops producing insulin.

It is more common to develop type 1 diabetes in childhood or adolescence, but it can also happen in adulthood.

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are usually severe and noticeable. You can lose a lot of weight in a few weeks. You might have stomach pains.

Additionally, because type 1 diabetes develops rapidly, your blood sugar might become very high before you can get a diagnosis and start treatment. This can sometimes lead to a medical emergency called ketoacidosis that requires immediate care.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop more slowly than type 1 diabetes due to insulin resistance and the pancreas slowly losing the ability to produce enough insulin.

You could have type 2 diabetes for a long time without any symptoms. Mild symptoms will often start. It is easy to dismiss them or mistake them for other conditions.

Over time, people with type 2 diabetes develop higher and higher levels of glucose in the blood, which can cause:

Sex isn’t a factor in most diabetes symptoms. However, a few additional symptoms only occur in people with a vagina. This group has a higher risk of both yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Most of the symptoms of diabetes are the same in infants, children, and adults. However, infants and very young children won’t be able to communicate their symptoms.

Instead, parents or caregivers will notice symptoms. You might notice:

When infants and children develop diabetes, it’s most likely type 1, but children can develop type 2 as well.

The early symptoms are the same as in adults, but the type will make them come on much faster. Symptoms of type 2 will take a bit longer to develop.

Diabetes can affect more than one body area. This includes the following.

  • Eyes: Diabetes often causes blurry vision. Diabetes that isn’t managed well can lead to Vision loss..
  • Skin: Diabetes can make it much harder for your body to heal cuts, scrapes, and other wounds. This can put you at a higher risk of infection.
  • Bladder: Diabetes can cause frequent urination and increase your risk of UTIs.
  • Feet: Diabetes can reduce blood flow to your feet, which makes it difficult for you to feel cuts and scrapes on your feet. It also reduces your body’s ability to heal those wounds.
  • Arms and legs: Diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy, pain, and numbness in your arms and legs.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms Type 2 diabetes symptoms
develop quickly develop more slowly
severe typically more mild at first
can lead to a medical emergency called ketoacidosis less likely to have a medical emergency with ketoacidosis
more common in children and adolescents more common in adults

The symptoms of both types of diabetes start the same.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes come on slowly over time. They are often milder at first.

Symptoms of type 1 develop quickly. They are generally more severe.

Over time, both types of diabetes can cause additional symptoms that can affect your eyes, limbs, feet, and skin.

Children and infants have the same symptoms as adults, even though they might not be able to express it. Parents and caregivers can be on the lookout for symptoms.