What is a symptom of type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Increased appetite (polyphagia) is a recognized symptom of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Even though blood glucose is elevated, cells are unable to utilize glucose effectively due to insulin resistance, leaving tissues in a state of relative energy deprivation. The hypothalamus interprets this cellular energy deficit as hunger, driving the patient to eat more. This is part of the classic triad of diabetes symptoms: polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Early wound healing is incorrect; type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired wound healing because hyperglycemia damages small blood vessels and nerves, reducing circulation and immune response to injured tissue. Cold, clammy skin is a sign of hypoglycemia — excessively low blood sugar — not hyperglycemia; it reflects adrenergic activation in response to a glucose drop. Decreased thirst is incorrect; type 2 diabetes causes increased thirst (polydipsia), not decreased thirst, because osmotic diuresis from glycosuria leads to dehydration and triggers the thirst mechanism. Recognizing polyphagia alongside polyuria and polydipsia is essential for early identification of diabetes mellitus in clinical and exam settings.