Symptoms of Diabetes: Early Detection Saves Trouble

Many of the symptoms go unnoticed because they appear harmless. This delays the early detection of diabetes and treatment and increases the chances of complications arising from it.

Particularly Type 2 diabetes symptoms are mild and may go unnoticed for years. It is only when complications such as foot ulceration or blurred vision occur, diabetes is diagnosed.
In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to develop rapidly, over a couple of weeks, and are more severe.

Whenever any of the following symptoms arise, meet your doctor:

Symptoms of Diabetes 1 - Tiredness and Fatigue:

The cells get energy from glucose received from the bloodstream. Once this supply is reduced due to insulin disorders the body begins to feel tired and fatigued. Tiredness may come because of so many other reasons that is why this symptom often goes unnoticed.

Symptoms of Diabetes 2 - Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination

This combination is on of the most common diabetes symptoms. If insulin is not produced or is insufficient, the kidney can’t filter glucose back to blood stream. As a result bladder constantly feels full so the urge to urination increases. Frequent urination dehydrates a person, dehydration causes thirst and you drink more water. More water fill the bladder. This vicious cycle of thirst and frequent urination is almost sure sign of the condition This is more frequent during the night.

Symptoms of Diabetes 3 - Losing Weight

We are talking about weight loss without trying for it. Fast loss of weight happens in Type 1 diabetes but it is much slower in Type 2 diabetes. This is because insulin is not produced in Type 1 diabetes so the cells instead of getting glucose from the bloodstream break down the muscle tissues and fat to get energy. This causes rapid loss. In Type 2 diabetes weight loss happens gradually with increasing insulin resistance so it is not as noticeable.

Symptoms of Diabetes 4 - Numbness in Hands, Legs or Feet

Excessive blood sugar for years begins to damage nervous system causing tingling or numbness in Hands, Legs or Feet. This symptom is called neuropathy. Since Type 2 diabetes gradually develops the excess blood sugar levels do not show any sudden therefore the blood sugar level remains high for many years causing the nerve damage. Neuropathy will improve if blood glucose control is achieved.

Symptoms of Diabetes 5 – Other

Other symptoms include dry and itchy skin, blurred vision, frequent infections or cuts and bruises taking long time to heal etc.

Learn more about causes, types and home remedies for its treatment in the other related articles: