Diabetes Symptoms: 10 Early Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

With an estimated 26 million people in the United States suffering from diabetes and 86 million people worldwide, it’s important to be able to identify the symptoms of diabetes. The disease can be fatal if left unchecked, so it’s crucial that you know how to spot its signs and symptoms as early as possible. Read on to learn about the ten most common warning signs of this life-threatening disease!

1) Frequent Urination


One of the most common diabetes symptoms is increased urination. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin to process glucose, blood sugar levels rise. As a result, the kidneys filter more urine in order to expel excess sugar from the body. This can cause you to have to use the bathroom more often and less during the night. The problem with this symptom is that it can be caused by something else (like a bladder infection). If you experience any other diabetes symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

2) Increased Thirst


One of the first signs of diabetes is increased thirst, which may be due to thirst caused by high blood sugar. Increased thirst can lead to weight loss, skin dryness and tiredness. Another early sign is increased hunger, which may also be caused by high blood sugar. The following are other symptoms of diabetes: blurry vision, genital infection or discharge in men (rarely), feeling tired after eating and blurred vision. If you suspect that you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible so that you can get diagnosed and treated before your condition worsens.

3) Fatigue


There are many symptoms of diabetes. The first symptom may be weight loss, a sign that your body is not able to produce enough insulin. Tiredness can also be a sign of diabetes and will lead to more exhaustion over time. If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to get tested and get on the path to living with diabetes.

If you notice that you’re always feeling tired, even after a full night of rest, it’s worth getting tested for diabetes. A number of studies have shown a link between diabetes and fatigue. One study out of Finland found that people with type 2 diabetes were more likely to report fatigue than those without diabetes and in patients with type 1 diabetes, symptoms like weakness, fainting and exhaustion can be signs that your blood glucose is too high or low. The Finns also found that women are more likely to experience exhaustion than men who’ve been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

4) Blurred vision


Diabetes is a chronic condition that leads to high blood sugar levels. When we eat, our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is used as fuel for the cells in our bodies. But people with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, the hormone that transports glucose into the cells where it’s needed. This means they can’t break down and use all the glucose they need, and their blood sugar level rises. With type 1 diabetes, this happens because the pancreas stops producing insulin altogether. In type 2 diabetes, either not enough insulin is produced or the body doesn’t react to insulin as well as it should.

5) Slow-healing wounds


Slow-healing wounds are a sign of diabetes. If you have diabetes, you may experience cuts or scrapes that take a long time to heal. This is because your body has trouble healing because your blood sugar levels are too high. Slow-healing wounds can also be caused by hypothyroidism, which is another condition that’s associated with diabetes.

6) Frequent infections


The pancreas produces insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in your body. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when the cells are resistant to it, this can lead to high blood sugar levels and diabetes. If you’re experiencing frequent infections and these other symptoms then you may want to talk with your doctor.

7) Swelling in the legs


One of the symptoms of diabetes is increased swelling in the feet, as well as in the lower legs. This can be a sign that there is too much sugar in your blood and it’s building up in your tissues. It can also occur due to injury or medical conditions such as lymphedema, which causes swelling due to damage to the lymphatic system. If you notice these signs and are experiencing other symptoms, such as extreme thirst and hunger, blurry vision, fatigue and frequent urination, then you should see your doctor right away.

8) Darkening skin around the neck or in the armpits


Darkening skin on the neck, underarms, or other areas around the body can be a sign of diabetes. It’s most likely to happen in people with type 2 diabetes and is more noticeable in women than men. It’s also common for people with type 1 diabetes, though it’s not as common as some of the other symptoms of diabetes.

This discoloration doesn’t pose any serious health risks, but it can be a warning sign that you need to see your doctor soon. When you have dark skin patches from hyperpigmentation—a symptom that usually shows up when you have uncontrolled blood sugar levels—it can point to problems with your kidneys, nerves, or heart that may not yet be causing any pain or discomfort.

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