Did you know that diabetes affects over 10.5% of the American population? And those are just the ones who were diagnosed. There are still millions of people who are left undiagnosed. Every year, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes.
This is why it’s important to know the early symptoms of diabetes, so you can get proper treatment right away.
What is Diabetes?
Because it is a common health condition, everyone has heard of diabetes. It is a chronic health condition that affects your metabolism. It occurs when your blood glucose or blood sugar is too high. There are several types of diabetes, which include type 1, type 2, gestational, and other types such as monogenic and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
And when your blood sugar increases, it prevents the pancreas to create enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose you consume from food to get into your cells so it can be used for energy. This results in the glucose staying in your blood, and prevents it from reaching your cells.
Up Next, 10 Early Symptoms of Diabetes.
10 Early Symptoms of Diabetes
So, how can you tell if you have diabetes? Well, there are several warning signs and symptoms you should be aware of.
However, it is important to know that these symptoms may be mild at first, making them hard to notice.
It is also important to know that there are different types of diabetes. There’s type 1, type 2, gestational, and other types such as monogenic and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. The most common ones are type 1 and 2.
In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can be mild. Some people who suffer from type 2 diabetes usually don’t find out until they get other health problems caused by the diabetes.
On the other hand, the symptoms for type 1 diabetes can happen quickly and more severely.
Here are some early signs to look for in both types.
- Excessive Peeing – on average, most people pee between four to seven times within a 24-hour period. However, those who are suffering from diabetes may go a lot more. This is because your kidneys may not be able to reabsorb the glucose as it passes through. As a result, your body makes more urine.
- Excessive Thirst – because you’re peeing excessively, it may cause you to get thirsty, too. And the more you drink, the more you pee.
- Unusual hunger and fatigue – as we mentioned above, your body converts the food you eat into glucose. You cells then use this glucose for energy. However, your cells also need the insulin hormone to take in the glucose. And if your body doesn’t make enough insulin, the glucose can’t get into any of them. This will make you feel restless, hungry, and tired more than usual.
- Blurred vision – typically, when the fluid levels in your body changes, it makes the lenses in your eyes swell. This may result in a change in your vision, and lack of focus.
- Dry mouth – because the fluids in your body are being flushed excessively through peeing, there is less moisture for other things. You may feel dehydrated, or you may feel your mouth get drier.
Up next, specific Type 2 and Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms may occur later. But here are some symptoms you should look for:
Type 2 diabetes symptoms:
- Yeast infections – yeast feeds on glucose, and if you have excessive glucose in your body, the yeast thrives. Usually, yeast infections can grow between your fingers and toes, in or around your sex organs, and under your breasts.
- Pain or numbness in your lower body – long-term diabetes can cause nerve damage which can result to pain or numbness in your lower body
- Slow-healing sores or cuts – nerve damage can also make it hard for your body to heal wounds.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Sudden weight loss – your body will start burning muscles and fat for energy when it can’t get energy from your food.
Nausea and vomiting – now, when your body starts to burn fat, it makes ketones. Ketones can build up in your blood to dangerous levels. And it can make you feel sick to your stomach.
