you’ll read out 9 common early signs of diabetes in this complete guide. Diabetes is a health condition where the blood sugar levels become too high. Recognizing its symptoms in the early days can prevent adverse complications.
A couple of years back, it was reported that almost 30.3 million adults in the United States of America had diabetes. This report by the Centers for Diabetes Control and Prevention also estimated that almost 84.1 million adults were prediabetic.
Prediabetics are people who have more than normal sugar levels but aren’t classified as diabetics. However, if they do not get proper treatment, it is estimated that they suffer from diabetes within 5 years. The Early Signs of diabetes are mild and usually go unnoticed. Below we have discussed some common early signs and symptoms of diabetes.
Frequent Urination
A common sign, people urinate more frequently, particularly at night when blood sugar levels are high. This is because our kidney tries removing excess sugar by filtering it out from the blood. One can consult a doctor and go for a urine checkup to see if increased blood sugar levels are the cause behind it.
Feeling Lethargic
Energy Levels might be low and people often feel fatigued. This is another very common early symptom of diabetes. This is because insufficient sugar moves from the body’s cells to the bloodstream. If you get tired too early or find it tough to carry out regular activities or even experience decreased stamina at the workplace, you should consider getting your sugar checked.
Excessive Thirst
Naturally, with the urge to urinate frequently, the body loses additional water which may lead to dehydration. It eventually leads to feeling more thirsty than normal. If you observe that you are drinking more water under usual circumstances, it is advised to consult an expert. The tendency should not be for a short period but only if the trend remains the same for at least a week or more.
Blurred Vision
Excessive sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels of our eyes. This condition often leads to blurred vision. One may have blurry vision in single or both eyes. In the early days, it might not be a regular problem as it may come and go.
If left untreated, it may damage the blood vessels and be much more severe. In some cases, it may eventually lead to permanent vision loss. Hence, in any uncommon situations where you observe difficulty focusing on things or see normal elements blurred, you must seriously consider consulting an expert right away.
Yeast Infection or Itching
Excess blood sugar levels in urine or blood cause yeast infection. Mostly occurring around warm and moist areas such as genital areas, armpits, or mouth, it causes itchiness. Further aggregations may lead to redness, burning or soreness. Such conditions are unusual bodily changes around the mentioned areas.
Prolonged Healing
Nerves and blood vessels often get damaged due to high blood sugar levels. It can lead to impaired blood circulation. As a result, even small cuts or wounds take a few weeks or months to heal. Prolonged healing can also increase the risk of infection.
Tingling, Pain, or Numbness
In its early stages, blood circulation is affected and the body’s nerves also get damaged. In some cases, it may also lead to increased sensation or pain accompanied by numbness or tingling of both hands and feet. Called neuropathy, it worsens over time and leads to serious complications if left untreated. If you observe such conditions frequently, it’s best advised to get a checkup done.
Excessive Hunger
Some people feel more hungry than normal as they do not get the required energy from their usual diet. Our digestive system breaks food down into simple sugar called glucose which is used by our body as fuel. For people suffering from diabetes or prediabetics, glucose doesn’t move from the bloodstream to the body cells. Eventually, there is a constant urge to eat irrespective of how much you might have consumed recently.
Dark Skin Patches
Another visible change is the development of dark skin patches around the creases of the armpit, groin, and neck. Signifying an increased risk of diabetes, the patches are velvety and soft when touched. Such skin conditions are called acanthosis nigricans.
Why It’s Important To Diagnose Early Signs of Diabetes?
Early diagnosis helps in preventing complications and treating diabetes in its early stages. If one is aware of being pre-diabetic, they can adopt the correct treatment, make necessary lifestyle changes, and control their blood sugar levels. It will help greatly improve health and quality of life and safeguard against possible complications.
Ignorance or not adopting precautions could lead to increased blood sugar levels and result in several and at times life-threatening complications. It includes:
- Heart diseases
- Kidney disease
- Stroke
- Nerve damage, or neuropathy
- Foot problems
- Loss of vision
- Sexual problems
Untreated diabetes sometimes causes hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome. This condition leads to a substantial increase in blood sugar levels. High-risk patients may even need hospitalization and this mostly affects older people.
Thus, it’s important to keep blood sugar levels in control and prevent complications. If blood sugar levels aren’t controlled for a considerable period, there are high chances of it remaining uncontrolled and resulting in several other health issues.
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Concluding Remarks
Increased blood sugar levels are a result of high blood sugar levels. If someone observes any of the above signs or symptoms, they should immediately go for a checkup. It will ensure that any chances of getting diabetic are controlled. Lifestyle changes are one important effort that has a substantial impact on controlling blood sugar levels.
There are multiple tests that a doctor may advise to check the blood sugar level in your body. They include HbA1c blood test, Random blood glucose level, Fasting blood glucose level, Urine test for blood sugar (glucose), Oral glucose tolerance test, and Capillary blood glucose (home monitoring).
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