The Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes can be subtle. Read on to learn what to look for and when it’s time to consult with your doctor.
The symptoms of early diabetes, particularly type 2, can appear to be subtle and harmless, although you may have diabetes for months or years and not show any symptoms.
According to the American Diabetes Association, almost six million people within the United States suffer from undiagnosed diabetes. Nevertheless, if you understand the symptoms, you’ll know when to seek medical assistance, and thus potentially lead a more healthful life. Should you be experiencing any of the following symptoms or signs of diabetes, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor.
Increased levels of urination and excessive thirst
These are classic tell-tale signs of diabetes. Excessive amounts of sugar in the form of glucose builds up within the blood and your kidneys need to work much harder in order to filter the sugar. However, should your kidneys fail to keep up, the excess sugar is pumped into your urine in addition to other fluids which are drawn from bodily tissues. With this comes more frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration, thus more fluid intake and more urination.
There are a number of reasons for feeling a sense of heightened fatigue. One of the main ones is the dehydration caused as well as the body’s lowered capability to use sugar for energy.
Frequent infections and slow-healing sores
Although health professionals agree that bodily infections rise for diabetes sufferers, there’s no scientific evidence as to why. However, it could be that the body’s natural healing processes are impaired and the ability to fight against infection impaired due to heightened blood sugar levels.
Loss of weight
Loss of sugar due to more frequent urination means more calories “lost”. Furthermore, diabetes may be responsible for stopping sugar from the food you ingest from reaching your cells, thus leading to a constant hunger. Combined, it leads to rapid weight loss, particularly so for type
1 diabetes sufferers.
Gums swollen and tender
It is thought diabetes lowers the body’s ability to fight disease, which in turn raises the risk of gum infection as well as infection of the bones holding your teeth in place. Thus, your teeth become loose and may fall out, and your gums can develop sores.
Blurring of vision
High blood sugar leads to fluid reduction in bodily tissues, which includes the lenses in the eyes, and this causes a deterioration of the ability to focus. However, if the situation is left untreated, new blood vessels can form in your retina, while damage may be sustained to other vessels. This can eventually lead to not only vision impairment but blindness.
Tingling in the hands and feet
High blood sugar can lead to damaged nerves. This emanates as tingling and loss of sensation in both hands and feet, and can also result in a burning pain within your hands, arms, legs, and feet.
Should you notice any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor because the sooner the condition is diagnosed, the sooner you can receive the appropriate care. Although diabetes is a very serious condition, providing you manage it correctly, you can still lead a very active and enjoyable life.