What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes?
Common symptoms of diabetes:
Frequent urination: Have you been going to the bathroom to urinate more often recently When there is too much glucose (sugar) in your blood you will urinate more often. If your insulin is ineffective, or not there at all, your kidneys cannot filter the glucose back into the blood. The kidneys will take water from your blood in order to dilute the glucose, which in turn fills up your bladder. Disproportionate thirst: If you are urinating more than usual, you will need to replace that lost liquid which causes you to drink more than usual. Intense hunger: As the insulin in your blood is not working properly, or is not there at all, and your cells are not getting their energy, your body may react by trying to find more energy and you will become hungry. Weight gain: This might be the result of the intense hunger. Unusual weight loss: This is more common among people with Diabetes Type 1. As your body is not making insulin it will seek out another energy source (the cells aren't getting glucose). Muscle tissue and fat will be broken down for energy. As Type 1 is of a more sudden onset and Type 2 is much more gradual, weight loss is more noticeable with Type 1. Increased fatigue: If your insulin is not working properly, or is not there at all, glucose will not be entering your cells and providing them with energy which in turn makes you feel tired and listless. Irritability: Irritability can be due to your lack of energy. Blurred vision: This can be caused by tissue being pulled from your eye lenses. This affects your eyes' ability to focus. With proper treatment this can be treated. There are severe cases where blindness or prolonged vision problems can occur. Cuts and bruises don't heal properly or quickly: When there is more sugar (glucose) in your body, its ability to heal can be undermined. More skin and/or yeast infections: When there is more sugar in your body, its ability to recover from infections is affected. Women with diabetes find it especially difficult to recover from bladder and vaginal infections. Itchy skin: A feeling of itchiness on your skin is sometimes a symptom of diabetes. Gums are red and/or swollen: Gums pull away from teeth. If your gums are tender, red and/or swollen this could be a sign of diabetes. Your teeth could become loose as the gums pull away from them. Sexual dysfunction among men: If you are over 50 and experience frequent or constant sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction), it could be a symptom of diabetes. Numbness or tingling, especially in your feet and hands: If there is too much sugar in your body your nerves could become damaged, as could the tiny blood vessels that feed those nerves. You may experience tingling and/or numbness in your hands and feet. Complications Associated with Diabetes Retinopathy (eye disease): All patients with diabetes should see an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) yearly for a dilated eye examination. Patients with known eye disease, symptoms of blurred vision in one eye or who have blind spots may need to see their ophthalmologist more frequently. Nephropathy (kidney disease): Urine testing should be performed yearly. Regular blood pressure checks also are important because control of high blood pressure is essential in slowing kidney disease. Generally, blood pressure should be maintained less than 130/80 in adults. Persistent leg or feet swelling also may be a symptom of kidney disease and should be reported to your doctor. Neuropathy (nerve disease): Numbness or tingling in your feet should be reported to your doctor at your regular visits. You should check your feet daily for redness, calluses, cracks or breakdown in skin tissue. If you notice these symptoms before scheduled visits, notify your doctor immediately. Other long-term may complications include:
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