Symptoms of Diabetes

A few common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, and increased fatigue. Other possible symptoms include weight loss and slow-healing wounds. In the case of type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually develop over a short time; symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop more gradually. Often, type 2 diabetes isn't even diagnosed until a routine blood test.

Diabetes -- What Is It?

This video clips explains type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

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What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

When people have diabetes, the body's cells are locked and the sugar that's in the blood can't enter the cells to give them energy. Since sugar can't get into the cells, it starts to build up in the bloodstream. High levels of blood sugar can lead to the common signs and symptoms of diabetes, including:

Amylin's Once-Weekly Diabetes Injection Finally Wins FDA Approval

On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration finally approved Amylin Pharmaceutical's diabetes drug Bydureon, which provides glycemic control for diabetes type 2 in a once-weekly injection. The approval follows two earlier rejections in 2010, when the FDA asked the company to go back and carry out a new trial of the drug's effect on heart rhythm.

The company describes Bydureon (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension) as the first of its kind. It is a once-a- week version of Byetta, the company's 7-year-old diabetes drug that has to be injected twice a day.

The drug, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is approved for use alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. The company says it will be available in pharmacies throughout the US in February.