Just as there are 3 types of diabetes — Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational — there are 3 major symptoms that are characteristic of the disorder. It is possible for all 3 symptoms to occur together, though they may be more subtle or pronounced depending on the type of diabetes one has. The 3 major symptoms of diabetes are:
· Increased appetite, known as polyphagia.
· Increased thirst, also called polydipsia, which leads to increased fluid intake.
· Frequent urination, also known as polyuria.
These symptoms are a result of the effect diabetes has on the body. These major symptoms of diabetes also affect each other in different ways. For example, when a diabetic has high blood glucose, the excess glucose is removed from the blood by the kidneys and is expelled from the body in the urine. Because of this, the body produces more urine, which results in frequent urination. This decrease of water in the body then causes dehydration, which leads to thirst and increased fluid intake.