Diabetes is a condition that causes blood sugar or glucose levels to become very high. While intentional weight loss can be difficult for diabetics, unintentional and rapid weight loss is often a sign of diabetes in patients without a diagnosis.

Function

When blood sugars become high, the body flushes out excess sugar in urination. This causes dehydration, which makes patients begin to drink excessively, causing additional urination, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Effects

As excessive urination due to elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics continues, necessary fluids are also expelled, and eventually, muscle tissue also breaks down and is released in the urine, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can cause sudden, rapid weight loss.

Types

Type 1 Diabetes occurs due to insufficient amounts of sugar-reducing insulin being present in your body, and this type of the disease begins most often during childhood. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body's cells do not respond to insulin and typically develops in adults.

Additional Symptoms

In addition to the excessive urination and drinking as well as weight loss that accompany diabetes, other symptoms are also possible, including extreme hunger, fatigue, slow-healing sores and frequent bacterial or fungal infections.

Treatment

Insulin injections are the most common treatment for diabetes, though some diabetics are able to control their sugar levels through the use of oral medications. A proper low-carbohydrate diet and exercise are also crucial to preventing diabetes.

Intentional Weight Loss

Approximately nine out of 10 of Type 2 Diabetes patients are overweight, according to the American Diabetes Association. For these patients, losing weight safely following the instruction of a physician and dietitian often helps reduce the effects of diabetes.

Source

ADA: Weight Loss

Mayo Clinic: Diabetes

EndocrineWeb: Signs of Diabetes