Diabetes is a health condition in which the blood sugar levels in your body can get very high. This is due to your body's inability to use or produce adequate insulin. It can lead to various health diseases and affect your eyes, kidneys, liver, blood vessels, etc. Therefore, detecting it at an early stage can reduce the complications and can help prevent it if you have prediabetes. The symptoms are usually noticeable and more severe in the case of type 1 diabetes, whereas symptoms may be mild or unnoticeable in the case of type 2 diabetes. We talked to Dr Naman Patel, MD, Physician, who explained the early warning symptoms of diabetes. Read on to learn so you can take the appropriate measures to treat diabetes.
Early Symptoms Of Diabetes
Frequent Urination (Polyuria)
One of the significant symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination. This occurs because your kidneys are trying to get rid of excess sugar in your body through urine.
Hunger And Fatigue (Polyphagia)
You may be more tired or hungry than usual when diagnosed with diabetes. This happens because your body is not able to produce glucose due to insulin resistance which causes a lack of energy and makes you hungry.
Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)
You will feel more thirsty as you urinate more frequently. Frequent urination may cause dehydration which can make you more thirsty than usual.
Also Read: Diabetes: 7 Easy Physical Activities You Can Do To Manage It
Blurred Vision (Retinopathy)
Another symptom of diabetes that can be witnessed is blurred vision; in most cases, this is a late finding. This is because the excess sugar in your blood can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and affect your vision. It may also lead to swelling of the retina and cause severe complications if diabetes goes untreated.
Slow Healing Of Cuts And Wounds
You may experience a delay in the healing of your cuts and wounds. This is due to poor blood circulation, which occurs due to the poor formation of blood cells.
Skin Discolouration
In the case of type 2 diabetes, you may observe dark patches on your skin areas, such as your armpits, neck, or groin, due to insulin resistance caused due to diabetes.
Also Read: Chocolates: How Much Is It Safe For People With Diabetes
Nerve Pain Or Numbness In Hands Or Feet
You may experience numbness in your hands or feet due to nerve damage. This may lead to severe pain and lead to neuropathy with time.
Takeaway
It is important for adults to get screened for diabetes for early diagnosis. The screening for diabetes starts at the age of 45 years and should be repeated every three years. Type 2 is more common in adults and is associated with obesity. Moreover, it is important to get yourself tested if you notice any of these symptoms. Making changes in your lifestyle can help you in bringing drastic changes and help in maintaining a low glycemic state. You should maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, aim for weight loss, and reduce your stress levels. Diabetes can lead to severe health conditions if it is not treated or timely medications are not given to the patient.
