Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually come on suddenly; in contrast, type 2 diabetes typically develops more gradually and symptoms may be subtle, increasing gradually over months and even years. But the symptoms are basically the same, and they are related to high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia. The classic symptoms people have with diabetes are:

• Increased frequency of urination (polyuria)
• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Weight loss despite increased appetite (polyphagia)

Less commonly, hyperglycemia can cause:

• Blurred vision
• Weakness and fatigue
• Infections, especially yeast infections

Sometimes early symptoms of type 1 diabetes are overlooked, and by the time the first symptoms are noticed, a person is already in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Sometimes referred to as diabetic coma, DKA is a potentially deadly complication of type 1 diabetes. DKA occurs when a deficiency of insulin is coupled with an excess of other hormones known as stress or counter-regulatory hormones. DKA is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Symptoms of DKA, in addition to the symptoms of hyperglycemia, may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Fruity breath odor
• Dehydration
• Hyperventilation
• Abdominal pain

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