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MoreDiabetes is one of the commonest metabolic disorders that occur due to abnormal regulation of blood glucose. All the macronutrients and micronutrients in the food we eat are eventually converted into glucose. Glucose is the energy our body requires for the optimal functioning of all systems. The pancreas is a specialized organ that produces insulin; a hormone required by the body cells to uptake glucose from the blood and uses it as energy.
When the pancreas does not produce insulin at all as in case of type 1 diabetes or produce low insulin or the body cells become resistant to the insulin as in the case of type 2 diabetes, the glucose remains in the blood and doesn’t reach the body cells for utilization. These persistent high levels of glucose in the blood results in a health condition called diabetes. The following are the 15 most common early signs of diabetes that you should know:
Increased urination
A significant increase in the frequency of passing urine is one of the earliest and tell-tale symptoms of diabetes. The average person passes urine 4-7 times in a 24 hour period. Peeing more than an average person and waking up during the night, especially when you already have emptied your bladder, is a common red flag.
The reason behind this: The presence of excess sugar in the blood alerts the kidneys to work overtime and clear this high level of sugar through urine to prevent harm to the body. Sugar has the property to drain water with it and therefore an excess amount of sugar in the urine leads to more urination.
Excessive thirst
Drinking plenty of water and other beverages throughout the day and even overnight is also a glaring symptom of diabetes. Intake of fluids can be something like 1 gallon (approximately 4 liters) or more per day in a pre-diabetic person. Another problem is that you won’t feel hydrated and refreshing immediately after drinking a fluid, a thing that urges you to drink more and more fluids. The more you drink, the more you pee!
The reason behind this: The kidneys activate the thirst center in the brain due to excess excretion of fluids and electrolytes through urine. The more you urinate, the more your body requires water to carry out normal functions in the body.
Feeling extremely hungry
When you have diabetes or you are in the process of developing it, you may experience an insatiable appetite. You have all the time cravings for both healthy and not so healthy foods. Even if you are mouth-full of food, your brain is constantly telling you to eat more and more.
The reason behind this: Inability of diabetics to self-regulate the sugar leads to significant fluctuations in the levels of blood glucose. When these levels fall rapidly, your brain receives “low-glucose” signals from the body and thus responds by activating the hunger center.
Unintentional and rapid weight loss
The rapid and unexpected weight loss from 11-22 lbs (about 5-10 kg) in a matter of weeks to a few months is another obvious and early sign of diabetes. You are more prone to lose bodyweight if you have type 1 diabetes. It is due to the fact that sugar metabolism can shut down quickly in type 1 diabetic people.
The reason behind this: Secondary to low glucose (energy) levels in the blood, the body considers itself in a starving position and responds by metabolizing muscle proteins to provide a new source of energy to the cells. This leads to muscle wasting and in turn unintentional and rapid weight loss.
Unusual fatigue
Poor regulation of high sugar levels in the blood will leave you feeling lazy and tired. Your muscles are deprived of energy and you may feel too weak or extremely fatigued to carry out regular everyday activities.
The reason behind this: Glucose is unable to enter into the body cells secondary to high insulin resistance due to which your muscles literally have less energy to function actively. Your body is additionally breaking down muscle protein to use it as an alternate source of energy. Coupled with poor sleep, both these factors are responsible for easy fatigability.
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Numbness or tingling sensations in the extremities are common and an early sign of diabetes. It first appears as numb-hand, foot or any limb in the morning after you wake up. In later stages, it may progress to feel like a burning sensation.
The reason behind this: Lingering of sugar in the blood causes damage to nerves and nerve endings in the hands and feet. More importantly, reduced circulation in the tips of extremities due to narrowed blood vessels and long distance from the heart causes poor repair processes in the nerves. Both factors contribute to tingling and numbness in hands and feet.
Blurred vision and eye floaters
High sugar levels in the blood cause damage to thin arteries of the eyes and result in distorted and blurred vision. Another common symptom of diabetes includes seeing “floaters” in front of the eyes.
The reason behind this: Blurred vision is secondary to damaged blood vessels of the eyes. Additionally, excess sugar in blood pulls fluid out of the lens resulting in swelling and decreased ability to focus.
Itchy or dry skin
High sugar levels in the blood and hormone disruption (insulin resistance) are the leading causes of overly itchy or irritated skin in diabetic patients. In advanced stages, your skin may even start to darken around neck folds and armpits, a condition known as Acanthosis Nigricans.
The reason behind this: It can be due to excessive fluid loss through the kidneys or poor circulation of blood towards the skin. Insulin resistance may also play its role in darkening the skin.
Slow wound healing
Slow wound healing is one of the most troublesome symptoms of diabetes. It is not uncommon for a diabetic person to get a cut or bruise that just doesn’t heal. Extremities are more commonly involved in delayed healing due to long distances from the heart and poor circulation of the blood.
The reason behind this: High levels of sugar in the blood begin to damage and constrict blood vessels, which restricts circulation. A reduced flow of blood towards the damaged skin area results in delayed healing.
Yeast infections
Both diabetic men and women are more prone to getting yeast infections. Yeast can infect moist and warm areas of your body such as under breast, axilla and groin areas.
The reason behind this: Like humans, yeast also feeds on glucose; therefore, high levels of glucose in a diabetic patient provide fertile soil for yeast invasion and growth.
Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction
Men with diabetes experience male-specific sexual and urogenital problems. Decreased sexual drive, impotence and ED or inability to either get or maintain an erection long enough to have a pleasure intercourse are some of the common and early urogenital symptoms of diabetes. Diabetic men experience these symptoms at earlier ages and more often compared to those who don’t have diabetes.
The reason behind this: Diabetes causes low production of testosterone, the male sex hormone responsible for libido, erection and other related functions. Lack of energy along with depression in diabetes can also affect men psychologically.
Retrograde ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation or production of the reduced amount of seminal fluid is another common diabetes-related sexual symptom in men. It is a term used to describe a condition in which seminal fluid flows retrogradely into the bladder rather than coming out of the body through the urethra.
The reason behind this: High levels of sugar in the blood results in damage to the blood vessels and nerves that control the muscles of the urethra and bladder, which leads to this problem.
Urinary tract infections
There is a higher risk of urinary tract infections in women with diabetes. Diabetes let infection-causing bacteria to enter and colonize the urinary tract resulting in fever, painful and burning urination, and sometimes bloody urine.
The reason behind this: Poor blood circulation towards genital organs, high blood sugar levels, and weak immune system are all underlying causes of frequent and recurrent UTIs in women.
Diabetes can make you feel sick to your stomach resulting in increased episodes of vomiting and nausea. This is particularly common in type 1 diabetes and pregnant women.
The reason behind this: Lack of energy diverts your body’s metabolism from consuming glucose to fats, which results in the production of ketones. Excess of ketones in your blood can upset your stomach and causes nausea and vomiting.
Headaches
Headaches can have a number of underlying causes. If you are getting frequent headaches that are becoming more severe over time, consider consulting your doctor for evaluation of diabetes.
The reason behind this: Damage and narrowing of the brain arteries secondary to elevated blood sugar levels is the most probable cause of frequent headaches in diabetes.
