High blood sugar is a symptom of diabetes, a condition that impairs your body’s ability to make or respond to insulin.
Some people may dismiss the initial symptoms as unimportant because they are so subtle. The importance of early diagnosis of diabetes stems from the fact that untreated diabetes can shorten life expectancy and quality of life.
To help you recognize diabetes early, Bright Side has compiled a list of the most typical early symptoms.
1. Increased urination and thirst
The two most common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst (polydipsia) and frequent urination (polyuria).
When you have diabetes, your kidneys are unable to absorb all the excess sugar. Rather, it carries fluids from your tissues and ends up in your urine. You feel dehydrated and urinate more as a result. You start drinking more to quench your thirst, which causes you to urinate even more often.
Urination occurs an average of six to seven times a day. If a person is healthy and the frequency of potty breaks has not changed, four to ten times a day is typical.
2. Increase in appetite
The three main indicators of diabetes are increased thirst and urination, as well as excessive hunger (polyphagia). Your body can’t convert food into the glucose your cells need for energy if it doesn’t make enough (or no) insulin or respond to it normally. This results in an increased appetite that persists even after eating. Food actually only raises blood sugar.
Even if you don’t seem to have any other symptoms of diabetes, you may need to see your doctor if you continue to eat but your hunger doesn’t go away.
3. Exhaustion
Another typical symptom of diabetes is persistent fatigue. Diabetes causes constant fatigue and sleepiness for the same reason it causes constant hunger: your cells are not getting enough glucose to use for fuel.
Exhaustion is also a result of dehydration caused by frequent urination.
Many other disorders, some of which are not even medical in nature (such as aging, a high-carbohydrate diet, or excessive caffeine consumption) can cause fatigue. However, it can indicate diabetes if it is paired with other symptoms from this list.
4. Deterioration of vision
Blurred vision can be an early indicator of diabetes if it is not a sign of a more serious eye condition. This occurs because the lens of the eye swells and changes shape due to the changing fluids. Your ability to focus is affected and everything starts to seem hazy or blurry.
With treatment, blood sugar levels should stabilize and vision should return to normal. These eye changes are usually reversible. However, these changes can worsen and lead to blindness if the diabetes is not controlled.
5. Unexplained weight loss
Losing a significant amount of weight without the help of exercise or diet is known as unexplained weight loss. Diabetes prevents your body from using glucose as an energy source, so it starts burning fat and muscle instead, reducing your weight. Because dehydration causes your body to use all the fluids it has to make urine, it also leads to sudden weight loss.
Although it can also affect people with type 2 diabetes, unexpected weight loss is a common symptom of type 1 diabetes.
6. Skin irritation
That being said, fluids from your other tissues, including your skin (your largest organ!), are carried by the excess sugar that is excreted in the urine. Itchy dry skin can result in cracked or even infected skin if you scratch certain dry areas. Yeast infections, which are somewhat common in diabetics, are another cause of itchy skin.
Learn some simple skin care techniques to keep your skin healthy if you have diabetes.
7. Slow recovery
Slow-healing cuts and wounds are often a symptom of diabetes.
In addition to making cuts and wounds more inflamed, high blood sugar also disrupts circulation, making it harder for damaged skin to circulate and heal. This is especially problematic for the feet, as diabetics often suffer from foot ulcers that can develop into more serious problems.
Tell your doctor if you notice that your cuts and wounds are healing more slowly than before.
8. Dark areas on the skin
A skin condition known as Acanthosis nigricans appears as velvety dark spots on the skin. These spots usually appear on the neck, armpits, groin, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the knuckles—anywhere there are folds or wrinkles in the skin.
This condition is a common indicator of prediabetes or diabetes and should be evaluated by your doctor, even though it can affect otherwise healthy people.
9. Hands or feet that are numb or armored
Another typical symptom of diabetes is numbness, tingling, or discomfort in the hands or feet (or fingers or toes).
As already explained, poor blood circulation from high blood sugar causes nerve damage. Since these are the parts of the body furthest from the heart, the hands and feet are the first to suffer.
Your circulation should improve and blood sugar control will be quite beneficial, as with many other conditions on this list.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that, if not controlled, can lead to a number of dangerous complications. If you are diagnosed early, you will live a longer life and cope more easily. See your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if multiple symptoms are present.
Recognizing the early signs of diabetes is essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment of this condition. Symptoms such as increased urination and thirst, increased appetite, and fatigue can often be subtle and easily overlooked. However, if they are experienced together or over a longer period of time, they may indicate the presence of diabetes or a prediabetic condition. Early intervention can help prevent disease progression and reduce the risk of complications such as vision impairment, slow wound healing,g or nerve damage.
Treating diabetes involves not only recognizing these symptoms but also seeking medical help to properly diagnose the condition. Early diagnosis, lifestyle modification, and drug treatment can significantly improve the quality of life of diabetics. If you experience any of the warning signs, especially if they persist or worsen, it is imperative that you consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action to manage your health. Early intervention can lead to better results and help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.