
Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
- Health Hub 101, Taboo Topic
- 07 Dec, 2022
What symptoms indicate diabetes? The vast majority of the early symptoms are a result of elevated blood glucose levels.
The warning signs can occasionally be so subtle that you miss them especially with type 2 diabetes. Some people don't have symptoms until the disease's long-term effects start to cause them problems. Type 1 diabetes symptoms often manifest quickly, in a matter of days or weeks. They are also much more severe.
Early Diabetes Symptoms
Both kinds of diabetes have some of the same warning signs and symptoms.
- Hunger and fatigue - Your body turns the food you eat into glucose, which is used as energy by your cells. Your cells require insulin to absorb glucose. You won't have any or enough energy if your cells reject the insulin your body produces or if your body doesn't produce any insulin at all. As a result, you might become hungrier and fatigued than normal.
- Peeing more often and being thirstier - The typical individual typically needs to urinate four to seven times in a 24-hour period, but diabetics may urinate significantly more frequently. Why? Normally, your body reabsorbs glucose as it goes through your kidney. Your kidneys might not be able to filter everything back into your body when diabetes boosts blood sugar levels. As a result, the body needs more fluids since it generates more urine.
- Dry mouth and itchy skin - There is less moisture available for other things since your body is using fluids to urinate. You can have dry mouth and dehydration. If your skin is dry, it could itch.
- Blurred vision - Your eyes' lenses could swell due to changes in your body's fluid levels. They alter shape and lose concentration.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
- Unaccounted-for weight loss - Your body will begin burning muscle and fat for energy if it is unable to obtain it from diet. Even when your eating habits haven't altered, you might still lose weight.
- Vomiting and nauseous - Your body produces ketones when it switches to fat burning. These can accumulate in your blood to risky levels, a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis that may be life-threatening. Your stomach may feel ill after consuming ketones.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
These typically appear after your blood glucose level has been elevated for a while.
- Yeast infections - Can affect both men and women who have diabetes. Yeast uses glucose as a food source, therefore a lot of it encourages growth. Any warm, moist skin fold can foster the development of infections.
- Slow-healing sores or cuts - Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow, which makes it more difficult for your body to heal wounds.
- Legs or feet that hurt or are numb - Another effect of nerve injury is this.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Pregnancy-related high blood sugar typically has no symptoms. You can have a slight increase in thirst or frequent urination.
Warning Signs of Diabetes Complications
- Complications of type 2 diabetes may show themselves as:
- Slow healing wounds or sores
- Skin itch (usually around the vaginal or groin area)
- Yeast infections that are common.
- Acanthosis nigricans, or dark, velvety skin changes on the neck, armpits, and groin
- Tingling and numb hands and feet
- Reduced vision
- Impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED)
When to Contact Your Doctor
It's crucial to get checked if you're older than 45 or at risk for diabetes in other ways. Early diagnosis allows you to prevent complications like nerve damage and heart problems.
When to Contact Your Physician:
It's crucial to get checked if you're older than 45 or at risk for diabetes in other ways. Early diagnosis allows you to prevent complications like nerve damage and heart problems.
Generally speaking, contact your physician if you:
- Feel weak and sick to your stomach
- You're extremely thirsty.
- You're peeing a lot
- You have a stomachache.
- Your breath is sweet and smells like nail polish remover (This is a sign of very high ketones.)
Reference:
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/understanding-diabetes-symptoms