Signs of Diabetes

Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes can produce a number of symptoms. However, the early signs of diabetes are not very easy to recognize, mainly due to their similarity with the symptoms of many other health conditions. As a result, diabetes can remain undetected for a long time. In order to detect this condition as soon as possible, it is imperative to have some basic knowledge about the signs and symptoms of diabetes. The signs of diabetes in women and men are more or less similar and they are discussed below:

• One of the most common diabetes symptoms is frequent urination or polyuria. This is caused by a high level of glucose in blood, which affects the ability of the kidneys to filter blood. The kidneys begin to draw more water from blood, which in turn increases the frequency of urination.
• Frequent urination causes increased thirst or polydipsia. It also causes loss of excess fluid from the body or dehydration, which in turn increases thirst.
• Another sign of diabetes is unusual and excessive fatigue. Diabetic patients experience unusual weakness and fatigue, as their body cells cannot absorb enough glucose from the bloodstream to produce energy.
• Inability to absorb and utilize glucose effectively can also result in weight loss, which is one of the most important warning signs of diabetes.
• An increase in appetite too can indicate diabetes. Diabetic patients can experience an increase in their appetite, if the body produces more insulin to lower the blood sugar level. High levels of insulin can increase hunger, for which the affected individual can start eating more and may gain weight.
• Consistently high levels of glucose in blood can ultimately damage the nervous system, especially the peripheral nervous system. This can produce symptoms like, tingling and numbness in legs, feet and hands.
• Recurrent infections is also an important sign of diabetes. Diabetes or high level of blood sugar can slow down the healing of wounds. Women can experience an increase in the frequency of vaginal and bladder infections due to diabetes.
• Apart from these signs, blurred vision, swollen, red and tender gums, dry mouth, headaches and acanthosis nigricans (development of dark skin patches on the neck, armpit, and groin) can be some other diabetes symptoms. Some men can also get erectile dysfunction due to diabetes.
• The signs of diabetes in children include, increased thirst and urination, frequent hunger, obesity (type 2 diabetes), lack of energy and increased fatigue, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss and acanthosis nigricans.

So, these were some of the most common signs of diabetes. The conventional treatment option for type 1 diabetes is insulin injections, while medications like, sulfonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, D-phenylalanine derivatives can be recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, along with insulin. Proper diabetes treatment and management also calls for dietary changes like, including fiber rich foods and fruits and vegetables in the diet, and lowering the amount of sugars and animal fats. Physical activities or exercises play an important role in the management of diabetes. Undiagnosed diabetes can lead to diabetic acidosis, which is characterized by the accumulation of ketones in the body. When the body cells fail to absorb glucose, they use fats for energy production, and ketones are the byproducts of this process. Diabetic acidosis can have serious consequences, if left untreated. Such complications can be prevented, if diabetes is detected at an early stage and for this, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of this condition.