Young people, who are less than 20 years can come with classic symptoms of increased thirst, frequent urination and weight loss, which occur during a short period of 2-4 weeks. If these symptoms are ignored or not recognized, they can develop ketoacidosis with prostration, rapid breathing, nausea, and vomiting and sometimes abdominal pain. Abdominal pain could be so severe as to be confused with other surgical conditions.

Those who present with type II diabetes, take a couple of months to develop the vague symptoms of thirst, polyuria and weight loss and complain of tiredness, lack of energy, frequent urinary tract and fungal infections in the groins and moist areas of skin. Sometimes, complications could be the presenting feature of diabetes. They may present with sudden changes of vision, pain and tingling of feet, impotence or even a heart attack!

Some people may not notice any difference at all. High blood sugar may be an incidental finding during a medical check up. But still they need to be treated.