Diabetes is divided into several types prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Recognizing the early signs of diabetes helps prevent the risk of disease progression. The question what are 10 warning signs of diabetes will be answered in this article!
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What is diabetes?
Diabetes, also known as diabetes, is a disease in which blood sugar levels are always higher than normal due to a deficiency or resistance to insulin, causing a disorder of blood sugar metabolism. This is the cause of preventing the body from converting carbohydrates into energy, causing sugar to gradually increase in the blood.
Over time, this buildup causes blood sugar levels to stay consistently high. This increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other diseases, damage to organs such as eyes, kidneys, etc., and even death. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death in people with diabetes.
What are 10 warning Signs of diabetes (You should know)
The most recognizable signs of diabetes come from higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms can be mild or subtle. Some people don’t know they have the disease until they experience lasting damage from the disease.
With type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually come on quickly, over a few days or weeks. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are much more severe than those of type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes share some of the same early warning signs (hunger and fatigue; frequent urination and constant thirst; dry mouth and itchy skin; blurred vision) and distinct signs. , consists of:
1. Hungry and tired
After food is ingested, the body converts the food into glucose, which is used by cells for energy. However, cells also need insulin to absorb glucose. If the body doesn’t produce enough or if the cells are resistant to the insulin the body makes, glucose won’t be able to get in and make energy. As a result, the body falls into a state of hunger and fatigue more than usual.
2. Frequent urination and constant thirst
The average person urinates 4-7 times in 24 hours, but people with diabetes can urinate more often. The reason is, normally, the body reabsorbs glucose as it passes through the kidneys. However, when blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys may not be able to do this well, so the body will make more urine. As a result, people with diabetes will urinate more often, resulting in constant thirst. A vicious cycle ensues: drinking more and urinating more. This is considered a clear sign of diabetes.
3. Dry mouth and itchy skin
Because the body is concentrating on using the fluid to make urine, there is not enough moisture to be used by other organs. As a result, dehydration and dry mouth can occur. Skin that is not hydrated will become dry, easily irritated, and itchy.
4. Blurred vision
Changes in the amount of fluid in the body can also cause the lens to swell. This expression affects vision, causing the shape of the object to become distorted, reducing focus.
5. Vulnerable to infections and fungal infections
Both men and women with diabetes can develop yeast infections. Yeasts eat glucose, so they will grow quickly in people with high sugar levels. Infection can occur in areas with folds thanks to two warm and moist factors such as grooves between fingers and toes; under the breasts, and in or around the genitals.
6. Sores or cuts that take a long time to heal
When high blood sugar goes on for a long time, it can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage. This makes it difficult for the body to heal.
7. Numbness, loss of feeling in the legs
Pain or numbness in the legs is considered the most obvious manifestation of nerve damage, caused by high glucose in the blood. Elevated glucose not only affects the limbs but also other nerves of the body such as the nerve that senses heat, cold, and pain; motor nerves (peripheral neuropathy) or nerves that control the activities of the stomach, heartbeat, etc. (autonomic neuropathy).
Nerve damage is the hallmark of diabetic neuropathy. This is also a common complication in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes.
8. Unusual weight loss
When the body cannot get energy from food, the body will begin to “activate” the process of burning muscle and fat for energy. Weight can be reduced even if you do not change the nutritional menu.
9. Nausea and vomiting
When the body metabolizes fat for energy, a layer of organic compounds (ketones) is produced. These substances can build up in the blood, making the blood acidic. When it builds up to a dangerous level, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur, which can be life-threatening. Nausea and vomiting can be considered signs of ketoacidosis. People with diabetes may need regular ketone testing as ordered by their doctor.
10. Sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, sleep apnea, etc.)
People with diabetes often have poor sleep quality, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Some sleep too much, and others have trouble getting enough sleep. In addition, people with diabetes also have some problems with sleep, such as:
Sleep apnea. This is a symptom related to the cessation of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea leads to low blood oxygen levels because the upper airways become blocked during sleep, preventing air from reaching the lungs. Low blood oxygen levels also affect brain and heart function. Up to two-thirds of overweight people have sleep apnea.
This syndrome also alters the stages of sleep. Several studies have found a link between disturbed sleep and growth hormone deficiency. This hormone is responsible for supporting the body’s growth, cell repair, and metabolism. When falling into a state of decline, the consequences are an increase in body fat, formation of belly fat, and difficulty in building muscle. In addition, sleep apnea also influences the development of diabetes and insulin resistance that occurs in patients.
Peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the nerves in the feet and legs, can also cause sleep disruption. Damage to this nerve can cause loss of sensation in the feet or symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning, and pain.
Restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by intense stimulation of the desire to move the legs. This sleep disorder is often accompanied by tingling, numbness, burning or pain in the legs, making it difficult for the person to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Lower and increase high blood sugar. Both of these blood sugar conditions affect the sleep of people with diabetes. If hyperglycemia makes the patient feel uncomfortable, insecure, and hot, hypoglycemia causes hunger, dizziness, dizziness, and sweating. These manifestations directly affect sleep quality or difficulty falling asleep.
Snoring can be caused by obesity or a high fat intake. Obesity increases the risk of sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and stroke.
When should you see a doctor?
Anyone should see a specialist in Endocrinology-Diabetes if there are early signs of diabetes. Also, pay special attention to signs such as abdominal pain, weakness, and extreme thirst; frequent urination, severe abdominal pain; breathing deeply and faster than usual; Bad breath like ripe apples, nail polish (signs of very high blood ketones), etc., they can be signs of advanced diabetes.
The study also shows that risk factors such as age, and family members with the disease… also need to be monitored. Accordingly, if you are over the age of 45 or at risk of diabetes, you should see a doctor and get tested. This is done to detect the disease early and avoid nerve damage, heart disorders, and other complications.
In addition to early signs, when complications occur, patients should also quickly go to the doctor to be prescribed treatment, reducing the risk of disease progression. These include:
- Sores or cuts that take a long time to heal
- Itchy skin (around the vagina or groin)
- Frequent yeast infections
- Sudden weight gain
- Changes in skin color and texture (dark, smooth skin on the neck, armpits, and groin)
- Numbness and tingling hands and feet
- Decreased eyesight
- Impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED)
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, manifested by: weakness; worried; sweating, chills; irritability/impatient; confusion, dizziness, hunger, snoring, feeling sore or numb in the lips, tongue/cheeks.
Other noticeable symptoms such as heart palpitations, pale skin, blurred vision, headache; having nightmares or crying while sleeping; convulsions.
High blood sugar is also considered a sign of diabetes with symptoms: increased thirst, blurred vision, increased urination, rapid hunger, numb or tingling legs, fatigue, sugar in the urine, weight loss, skin infections, cuts, and sores that take a long time to heal, and blood sugar > 180 mg/dl.
Hyperosmolar syndrome due to non-ketotic hyperglycemia. This complication is more common in people with type 2 diabetes and can lead to coma and even death. Complications occur when blood sugar is too high and the body becomes severely dehydrated. Symptoms include blood sugar over 600 mg/dl; dry mouth; extreme thirst; dry, warm, non-sweating skin; high fever (over 38 degrees Celsius); drowsiness or confusion; vision loss; illusion; weakness on one side of the body.
Final thought
Noticing these signs can make you become more aware of your health condition and take precautions by seeing a doctor or following a healthy diet to prevent diabetes.
Top News hopes this article can help you learn more about the warning signs of diabetes so that you can take care of your overall health properly.
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