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Diabetes is a disease that affects the sugar blood levels. Very often diabetes has been present for many years before it is diagnosed because in many cases some of its symptoms are not clearly manifested or are mistakenly taken as something temporary (i.e. fatigue, thirst and hunger) that will disappear in some time. So, what are the most common symptoms that should ring a bell:
Permanent fatigue. As a result of the inability of the cells to absorb the glucose, a diabetic feels constant lack of energy and fatigue. It is not unlikely to get out of breathe even after a very short physical activity. Normally our bodies get energy from the food we intake but since we can't process sugars and extract the necessary substances from them, this lack of energy leads to fatigue and very often to weight loss. Weight loss. This is another common symptom of diabetes. The reason for weight loss to occur is the same as for permanent fatigue – the inability of the cells to process the sugars we intake with food. Since weight loss, similarly to fatigue can be due to many other reasons besides diabetes, many people don't notice it. It is necessary to clarify that weight loss is not always a symptom of diabetes. If you eat less and exercise more, it is quite natural (and desired) to lose weight. But if you eat more and more and as a result of this you lose weight, this is a warning to go and see a doctor. Frequent urination (polyuria),. One of the effects of the higher levels of glucose in the body is that high blood sugar levels lead to an overflow of glucose from the kidneys, carrying the fluid along with it. There is a frequent urge (especially at night) to empty the bladder, which is filled more often than the normal. Increased thirst (polydipsia) and hunger. Due to the inability to get energy from the glucose in the blood, a diabetic feels hungry, despite the fact that he or she eats often and large meals. Thirst is also a common symptom of diabetes because of the frequent urination and it is typical to drink large quantities of water over a short period of time. Depression. It is also another consequence of the inability of the body to process sugars. The brain does not get the necessary substances and one feels moody. Blurred vision. Again, the high sugar blood levels and the inability of cells to absorb glucose lead to cells malfunctions. As a result of this your vision might suffer. Infections and slowly healing wounds. As you have probably guessed, the reason why a diabetic is prone to infections and slowly healing wounds is the same – the sugar imbalance. The immune system of a diabetic is very weak and is very susceptible to infections. Infections can be of different types – starting from clods and flu, to skin infections, to urinary tract infections. Yeast and fungi are also common companions of diabetes. Numb feet and hands, dry skin, itchiness. These symptoms are pretty harmless and probably because of this people don't pay them much attention.
Though the symptoms of diabetes are so many, even if you have some of them, you still can't be certain that you have diabetes because many of them are either symptoms of other diseases, or can be some temporary malfunctions. On the other hand, you still can have diabetes, even though you don't experience anything. So, the only way to discover if you have diabetes or nor is to visit a doctor and have the so called Glucose Tolerance Test. |
