If you think you may have diabetes, you should know the signs and symptoms. Knowing the facts can help you decide if you need to see a doctor and get a diagnosis. This article lays out a complete list of diabetes symptoms for your reference.
1. Introduction to Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes is a serious health condition that can present a wide variety of symptoms – ranging from relatively mild and manageable to more severe and life-threatening. It is important to become familiar with common symptoms of diabetes and to discuss them with your doctor if they are present.
The following is a comprehensive list of symptoms of diabetes:
- Excessive thirst – feeling the need to drink more often than others
- Frequent urination – needing to urinate much more than usual
- Weight gain/loss – large swings in weight, despite unchanged diet and exercise
- Very dry skin – dry skin that is itchy and may even start to form ulcers in extreme cases
- Blurred vision – vision that is not as clear as it normally would be
- Fatigue – excessive exhaustion that cannot be over come with rest and relaxation
- Slow healing wounds and sores – healing wounds and sores that take much longer than normal to heal
- Headaches – headaches that may last longer than normal
- Mood swings – abrupt changes in mood throughout the day
Each of these symptoms may be experienced in a variety of degree – some individuals may only experience one or two, while others may experience most or all ten. If any of these symptoms are present, it is important to speak with your doctor immediately.
2. Common Signs of Diabetes
Diabetes has a range of signs and symptoms. Knowing and recognizing these signs is key for recognizing and managing diabetes properly. Below are some of the most common symptoms of diabetes.
Unexplained weight loss or gain
One of the early signs of diabetes is rapid weight loss. This is due to an inability to process glucose, which means the body is not gettingy the energy it needs and induces weight loss. On the other hand, unexplained weight gain is also a possibility and can present one of the first signs of diabetes.
Excessive thirst
Having excessively more thirst than usual is one of the key symptoms of diabetes. This happens because the body is trying to manage the higher amounts of sugar and glucose in the bloodstream and is attempting to rid itself of excess glucose through the need for water.
Frequent urination
Having to urinate more often than usual is related to the excessive thirst symptom. As the body is excreting the excess glucose, the urge to urinate is increased as well, leading to more trips to the bathroom.
Fatigue
Feeling drained and fatigued is another symptom of diabetes. This is mainly because the body is not able to use glucose for energy, so there is not energy available to perform daily tasks and activities.
Skin problems
Itchy, dry skin is another symptom of diabetes. This can be due to lack of lubrication once the body has been dehydrated by the constant urination.
Blurred vision
Having vision problems or blurred vision is possible due to high amounts of glucose in the bloodstream, showing up as a symptom. This can also become worse over time if left untreated.
3. Unusual Diabetes Symptoms
Many individuals focus on the classic diabetes symptoms such as a higher than usual thirst, frequent urination, and lethargy. However, there are some other, uncommon signs of diabetes that you should also watch out for.
Skin: An unusual symptom of diabetes is a fungal infection. Expect skin discoloration, especially around the neck and armpits. Itching is also fairly common. Another sign is a decrease in the elasticity of the skin due to collagen loss, so watch out for skin sagging.
Nerves: Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet are a potential symptom of diabetes. Also look out for poor balance and coordination, as well as any weak or absent reflexes.
Eyes: Diabetes can cause inflammation in the retina, which can lead to blurry vision. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can also cause temporary vision changes. If these occur often, speak to your physician for further investigation.
Other Symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Excessive fatigue
- Frequent yawning
- Headaches
- Breathlessness
- Cold feet
4. When to Seek Help
It’s important to stay vigilant when it comes to monitoring your health if you have diabetes. Even mild symptoms should not be ignored. Make sure to seek help as soon as they are noticed to get the best outcome. Here are the signs that immediate medical attention is needed:
- Fainting – if you become lightheaded or faint, seek help right away as it can be a sign of low or high blood sugar.
- Weight-loss – unintentionally losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time could be a sign of type 1 diabetes.
- Feeling faint – if you suddenly feel faint, it can indicate an issue with your blood sugar.
- Tingling or numbness – diabetes can damage the nerves in your body and cause tingling or numbness in your hands and feet.
- Vomiting or stomach pain – these can be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis which can be an emergency situation.
If these symptoms are accompanied by cold sweats, extreme exhaustion, and confusion, you should seek immediate medical attention. Make sure to monitor your diabetes and contact your medical team as soon as you are aware of symptoms.
If you think you may be displaying any of the above-mentioned signs of diabetes, it is important to seek medical attention right away. You know your own body and its signals best, so remember to keep a close eye on any sudden changes in your health and lifestyle. Diabetes can be managed with a carefully planned diet and regular exercise; it just takes consistency and dedication.