What are the symptoms of diabetes in women over 40? Most of the symptoms of diabetes in women over 40 do not vary much between the different types. However, there are some differences. The major types of diabetes mellitus in women over 40 are type-1 and type-2.

Type-1 diabetes typically starts during childhood, but you can get it at any age. It is an autoimmune disorder, which means that your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In type-1 diabetes, your antibodies attack the cells that produce insulin, so the pancreas can no longer produce it as needed. This can be deadly, as insulin is the hormone that one needs to turn sugar into energy.

Type-2 diabetes differs from type-1 in that type-2 diabetics can still produce insulin, but the body does not respond to it properly. Some people are genetically prone to developing type-2 diabetes, but obesity, stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and activities such as drinking and smoking can lead to diabetes as well.

If you are a woman over 40, your age is a risk factor as well. In addition, women are more likely to get the disease than men. So, it is important that you know what the symptoms of diabetes in women over 40 whether it runs in your family or not. Please read the following symptoms of diabetes in women over 40:

  • Frequent urination
  • Excess hunger
  • Unexplained mood swings (type-1)
  • Unexplained irritation (type-1)
  • Unquenchable thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Sudden weight loss (in spite of excess hunger)
  • Bony or atrophied physical appearance (type-1)
  • Blurred vision
  • Inability to become pregnant (type-1)
  • Frequent yeast infections
  • Frequent bladder infections
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Frequent skin infections
  • Slow healing
  • Numbness or tingling in hands or feet

 

Diagnosis of Symptoms

 

Although it is very possible for a woman over 40 to develop type-1 diabetes, it is fairly unlikely. The symptoms of diabetes in women over 40 usually lead to a type-2 diabetes diagnosis. There are, however, ‘cross types’ of diabetes in which symptoms of both types manifest. For example, latent diabetes is a form of diabetes which is considered to be a slow-manifesting form of type-1. It occurs much later in life than it does in most patients, so it is often mistaken for type-2. The difference is that autoimmune antibodies are found in this type of diabetes. So, you may request additional testing if you are still uncertain that the diagnosis of type-2 diabetes is correct.