Diabetes is a chronic condition that can have a serious impact on a person’s life, if left untreated or unmanaged. Early detection of the condition is therefore essential to ensure the best possible outcome. In this article, we outline the signs, symptoms and other risk factors associated with diabetes and provide a comprehensive guide for recognizing early diabetes symptoms.
1. Overview of Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious health disorder characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. This can be caused either by a lack of the hormone insulin, or when the body doesn’t respond adequately to its production. While Type 1 diabetes occurs due to the lack of insulin production, Type 2 diabetes happens when the body can’t efficiently make use of its own insulin.
The symptoms of diabetes can easily go unnoticed if not detected in time. It is advisable to seek medical support if you witness frequent occurrences of any of the following symptoms:
- Unusual thirst – Due to higher levels of glucose in the blood, the body begins to compensate by trying to flush the excess with more drinking.
- Frequent urination – Being an attempt of the body to flush out the excess glucose, the result is frequent urination, especially at night.
- Hunger – Diabetes results in inadequate absorption of the nutrients in the intestines. Consequently, the body begins to crave for food to replenish itself.
- Fatigue and drowsiness – Inadequate cell absorption of glucose leads to reduced energy in the body, causing fatigue and drowsiness.
- Blurred vision – High levels of glucose can cause the blood vessels in the eyes to swell, leading to short-term vision problems.
In addition, extreme cases of diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications such as damage to the kidneys, vision problems, heart disorders and even awareness of risks such as stroke.
It is important to note that some people are more prone to diabetes than others, due to their family history or genetic predisposition. Therefore, it is likely to experience one or more of the symptoms in the early stages of diabetes.
2. Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Polyuria (frequent urination); One of the main is excessive urination. This is because high levels of blood sugar cause the body to try and flush out the extra sugar through the urinary tract. This results in the urge to urinate more often and in larger amounts than normal.
Polydipsia (excessive thirst): Because the body creates more urine when sugar levels are high, it also causes the body to become dehydrated. Those experiencing this symptom may feel abnormally thirsty, can’t seem to get rid of the thirst, and will drink more than is usually necessary.
Weight change (either gain or loss): Unintentional weight change can be a sign of diabetes, either in the form of unexplained weight gain or loss. People with Type 1 Diabetes are more prone to weight loss, and those with Type 2 Diabetes can experience weight gain—or a combination of both.
Fatigue and faintness: People with high sugar level might feel constantly tired. This is due to a lack of energy, which is a result of the body’s cells not having enough glucose. This symptom usually worsens as the condition progresses.
Skin and yeast infections: Yeast infections, typically in the form of vaginal yeast infections and jock itch, and skin infections such as scratches, cuts, and boils can often occur as a result of diabetes. Since sugar levels are higher in the blood than normal, bacteria and yeast thrive on these environments.
Slow healing wounds: People with diabetes may experience slow healing wounds due to a decrease in the ability of the kidneys and liver to process glucose. This decreased healing rate can make it harder for bruises, scrapes, and cuts to heal.
Blurred vision: Elevated levels of glucose in the blood can affect the shape of the eye’s lens, leading to blurry vision. People with diabetes must get regular eye checkups to ensure quick diagnosis and treatment.
Numbness and tingling: This occurs especially in the limbs due to nerve damage caused by diabetes. If left untreated, this can leave the affected limb at a higher risk of developing an infection.
3. Causes of Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness caused by an inadequate daily supply of insulin hormone. It has become one of the more common chronic diseases worldwide. It is important to understand the common to recognize its symptoms. Here are three common :
- Heredity: A family history of diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Weight: Being overweight increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
- Age: Type 2 diabetes is more common in elderly people, and type 1 is more common in children at a younger age.
Additionally, lifestyle can also play a role in the development of diabetes. People who lead an inactive lifestyle or have poor diet habits tend to be at a greater risk. Other risk factors for developing diabetes include having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being of certain ethnicity, and having a baby of over nine pounds at birth.
4. Risk Factors for Diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that often goes undiagnosed until complications arise. Type 2 diabetes develops over time, but its onset can be hastened by certain risk factors. If you are aware of these risk factors, you may be able to identify early diabetes symptoms and take control over your health.
- Age: Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults over the age of 45, but its prevalence is increasing among younger adults and children.
- Weight: People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Family History: If a close family member has type 2 diabetes, your risk is significantly higher.
- Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans, are more likely to develop diabetes.
- Lack of Exercise: People who are physically inactive are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational Diabetes: If you experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Though there is no way to completely prevent diabetes, the key is to identify the symptoms early and take steps to manage the condition. Knowing the is an important step towards healthier living. If you think you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, consult with a doctor to discuss preventive measures and testing.
5. Diagnosing Diabetes
1. Measure Blood Sugar Levels: Blood sugar levels can be measure with fasting blood sugar tests, glucose tolerance tests, and hemoglobin A1C tests. Fasting blood sugar tests measure the sugar concentration in the blood after eight hours of fasting and can be used to diagnose diabetes. Glucose tolerance tests measure the amount of sugar in your blood before and after drinking a special sweet beverage. The hemoglobin A1C test is a measure of the amount of glucose that has been in the blood for the past two to three months, which makes it especially useful for people with diabetes.
2. Signs & Symptoms to Look For: Early warning signs of diabetes include increased thirst, excessive urination, fatigue, blurred vision, numbness/tingling in the hands and feet, slow healing of cuts and bruises, and sudden weight loss. If any of these symptoms are present, it is important to consult a doctor to assess the possibility of diabetes.
3. Regular Health Check-Ups: It is important to get regular health check-ups even if there are no apparent symptoms of diabetes. Health professionals can check sugar levels and can recommend further testing if there is cause for concern. During the check-up, physical examinations can detect a condition known as “diabetic ketoacidosis,” which occurs when there is a high level of ketones in the body, which can be caused by diabetes.
4. Listen to Your Body: Paying close attention to your body and recognizing the signs of diabetes is key to diagnosing the condition early. If any of the recognized symptoms are present for an extended period of time, it is important to seek medical help.
5. Diet and Exercise: Eating healthy food and exercising regularly can help keep blood sugar levels in check and can help in . If a person is leading a healthy lifestyle and is still experiencing any of the symptoms of diabetes, it is important to consult a doctor.
6. Treating Diabetes
Learning to recognize the early warning signs of diabetes can help you take proactive measures to manage the condition and reduce your risk of experiencing long-term health complications. This comprehensive guide will cover some of the common symptoms associated with diabetes, so you can better understand the disease and how it can affect your health.
1. Increased Urination – Increased urination is common in diabetics, as their body attempts to flush out excess sugar that has build up in their system. This symptom is known as polyuria, and it often appears suddenly and without warning. Polyuria is associated with both types of diabetes, and is often coupled with other symptoms such as extreme thirst.
2. Extreme Thirst - Along with increased urination, extreme thirst (or polydipsia) is another common symptom of diabetes. Those who suffer from the condition often have an excessive urge to drink liquids, and can find themselves drinking far more than their body needs. This is a result of elevated glucose levels in the blood, which pull water from other parts of the body.
3. Unexplained Weight Loss – Unexplained weight loss is another common symptom of diabetes, and can be especially noticeable in those who suffer from type 1 diabetes. As the body does not receive the energy it needs from ingested glucose, it instead begins to break down muscle and fat. This can leave sufferers feeling weak and fatigued, and result in a rapid loss of weight.
4. Frequent Infections - Those with diabetes experience frequent infections as a result of damaged blood vessels and weakened immune systems. Common infections such as boils, vaginal infections, and cuts that don’t heal properly are all associated with diabetes, leaving sufferers more prone to dangerous bacteria.
5. Fatigue & Drowsiness – As the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, sufferers often feel tired and lethargic. Despite getting adequate amounts of sleep, many diabetics report feeling drowsy and overly fatigued during the day, making concentration and focus difficult.
6. Blurred Vision – Elevated blood sugar levels can cause changes to the shape of the eye, resulting in blurred vision or temporary blindness. This is known as diabetic neuropathy, and is often coupled with other symptoms such as tingling and pain in the extremities. This is a serious symptom and should be addressed with a medical professional as soon as possible.
7. Preventing Diabetes Complications
1. Regular Visits to Your Healthcare Team Taking an active approach to your diabetes and seeking medical attention to monitor your condition is essential to preventing diabetes-related complications. Make sure to visit your healthcare team regularly and share changes in your symptoms.
2. Control Your Blood Glucose Level Having an elevated blood glucose level over time can contribute to very serious diabetes complications, including nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage and heart disease. Monitoring your sugar levels through diet, tablets and insulin is important in keeping them under control.
3. Reduce Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure can contribute to diabetes complications, even when blood sugar is under control. Following a healthy diet, incorporating cardiovascular exercises, reducing stress, and more can help keep blood pressure in check.
4. Don’t Overlook Cholesterol Having diabetes increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. Check your cholesterol levels regularly and seek help from your doctor on changes necessary to keeping it healthy.
5. Monitor Your Feet Diabetes can cause damage to your nerves, reducing your sensation and consequently making it hard to identify any issues in your feet. Make sure you check your feet every day for any changes and seek medical attention immediately if any concerns arise.
6. Track Your WeightWeight gain can often be a symptom of diabetes, and can also contribute to diabetes-related complications. Keeping track of your weight and ensuring you maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet is important in .
7. Keep Your Blood Glucose Closely Monitored Regularly monitoring and keeping your blood glucose levels under control is important to preventing long-term diabetes-related complications. See a healthcare professional regularly to discuss treatment options and monitor your health. By recognizing the early symptoms of diabetes, you can take steps to control the disease and avoid long-term health consequences. Taking a proactive approach to diabetes management is critical to avoiding more serious repercussions. With the information contained in this guide, you can easily identify potential red flags and work cohesively with your health care team to ensure your health and well-being.
