Signs of diabetes like most other chronic diseases often are subtle and many people don’t recognize them until complications of diabetes strike. It is therefore important to learn the sign and symptoms of diabetes for early diagnosis. Diagnosis of diabetes can be done with simple pre-meal and post-meal blood sugar level or a blood test known as diabetes a1c or HbA1c.
Signs of Diabetes
Signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually present rather early in life and may be sudden in nature. Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes on the other hand in general appear later, and have close relation to diet, lifestyle and nowadays being recognized secondary to genetic factors too. Nevertheless, there are similar signs that these two diabetes patients may present.
One of the first signs of diabetes is polyuria, which is frequent urinating. This is a mechanism of the body to try getting rid of the excessive sugar in the blood through the kidney with more urine production. This subsequently triggers the body to feel thirsty, and cause a diabetic person to drink more. Polydipsia, or excessive thirst is also another common signs of diabetes.
Diabetes is a metabolism disorder, meaning the body has inappropriate means of utilizing glucose (our primary source of fuel) to sustain our bodies’ requirements. Fat then become the primary source of energy fuel leading to sense of tiredness or fatigue for those with impaired fasting glucose. This ineffective way of metabolism sometimes can further affect a person’s mood, causing unexplained agitation, irritability or loss of focus.
In type 2 diabetes, the body will become more resistant to insulin, the very enzyme that helps breakdown and moderate glucose intake. Despite high insulin level in blood, the body doesn’t respond to insulin to breakdown the excess blood sugar. This can result in inciting hunger and higher calorie intake. Diabetic patients may eat more, but this may not translate into more weight. In fact, some people may experience weight loss as the body is unable to process the excess calorie intake.
Another common signs of diabetes in women is frequent urinary tract infections. Poor sugar control reduces the immune system of the body. Yeast infection of the genital area is also recognized as early signs of diabetes. High sugar level in tissues in a way encourages bacteria or yeast growth.
Poor wound healing is typical of diabetes symptoms. The high blood sugar weakens the normal cell functions to fight infections and may cause damages to small blood vessels. Wounds will take longer to heal and if not treated with care, may result in amputation. In addition to that, the poor micro circulation manifests as numbness or tingling sensations in fingers or toes. The inability to feel well sometimes prevented the diabetic patients to notice wounds.
Diabetes affects the retina circulation, hence it is not usual blurry vision is known as a signs of diabetes. In fact, diabetic patients are advised to get their eyes checked annually to prevent further complications.
Signs of diabetes sometimes are not easy to recognize. However, pay attention to body and when in doubt, seek help from medical professionals immediately. Diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed if diagnosed early before it causes inevitable complications.