Diabetes is a dangerous disease that has an impact on the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose level. It is one that can be chronic, sometimes even manifesting itself slowly, and sometimes not at all. The first stage of managing diabetes involves identifying the symptoms of diabetes thus the need to familiarize oneself with the symptoms. Some individuals may not know that they have diabetes until they develop certain symptoms so everyone should ensure that they are aware of these signs and do something about them. The good news is that if you know you have symptoms of diabetes, you still have great chances of minimizing the complications and living a normal life.
In this blog, we will discuss five early signs of diabetes that you need to be aware of and how these signs impact your body. Any of these diabetes symptoms should be acted on immediately as they are a sign of a major illness. When detected and treated on time, it will not have adverse effects on your health and will not cause any long-term complications. Whether you’re a man who is at risk for certain diseases or you’re showing signs of certain diseases, being aware of what signs to look out for is the first step towards ensuring that you take charge of your health.
Here is the 5 Early Symptoms of Diabetes and How to Take Action
1. Frequent Urination
Polyuria is one of the first signs of diabetes and a very common one for that matter since it involves passing of large amounts of urine. If the blood sugar is very high, the kidneys try and filter it out and this can cause damage to the kidneys. This in turn leads to a rise in urine formation. You may have noticed that you’ve been needing to pee more often, including at night. If such incidences occur frequently, then testing of the blood sugar level is recommended and then consulting a doctor.
How to Take Action:
If you are a victim of the problem of constant urination, then you should ensure that you take enough water and restrict yourself on the fluids which you take. A blood test will tell if your blood sugar is high. If diabetes is diagnosed, your doctor will advise you on ways of managing your condition with a view of addressing the symptom of high blood sugar levels.
2. Excessive Thirst
The second early sign of diabetes is polydipsia or excessive thirst. Since your body is now producing more urine, you need to take more water and as a result you may find yourself drinking water more often because of thirst. This constant need for water can be an indication that your blood sugar is not well regulated as it should.
How to Take Action:
It is always advised to drink lots of water to ease the thirst but it is important to treat the cause of the problem. Checking your blood sugar and getting screened for diabetes will enable you to make the right changes if you have the disease. Your doctor may advise you on what to take, whether to exercise or even take some medication in order to reduce your blood sugar levels.
3. Unexplained Weight Loss
Another symptom of diabetes is sudden weight loss. This is because when your body lacks insulin, or the body is unable to use it properly, it begins to metabolize the fat and muscle. This weight loss can be dramatic, even if you have not altered the way that you eat or the amount of exercise that you get.
How to Take Action:
If one has lost weight and has no idea why, he or she should see a doctor who can run some tests to see if the situation is due to diabetes. It is important that the condition is diagnosed early in order to arrest further weight loss. Eating healthy with due attention to the insulin aspect can greatly assist in controlling your blood sugar level and weight.
4. Blurred Vision
Diabetes can cause diabetic cataract which is the clouding of the lens of the eye due to the excess sugar in the blood that swells the lens and causes poor vision. This is a general sign of diabetes and if not well checked could get out of hand. High blood sugar can impact the blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy, which may also contribute to this issue.
How to Take Action:
In case of blurred vision it is advisable that you consult a doctor or a specialist. Sometimes, it may be as simple as visiting an opthalmologist for an eye check up and getting your blood glucose level checked. There are certain medications which can afford the patient control over their blood sugar levels, thus preventing deterioration of the eyes.
5. Fatigue
Another sign of diabetes is fatigue, which is basically feeling more tired than is normal. If the cells in your body cannot metabolize glucose and get energy from it, then you end up feeling extremely weak all the time. This fatigue can interfere with your daily activities as well as your health.
How to Take Action:
If you are always tired, then you should go for a blood glucose test. Healthy eating, exercise, and good diabetes management should reduce fatigue and improve your health. If needed, your doctor may change your medication to bring your blood sugar levels to normal to lessen the instances of fatigue.
Conclusion
Knowledge of the signs of the onset of Diabetes symptoms is important to prevent complications of diabetes in the future. Some of the symptoms that people with diabetes may experience include; increased frequency of urination, increased appetite and thirst, sudden weight loss, poor vision, and feeling tired all the time. Any of these symptoms of diabetes must be treated as soon as possible if they are noticed. To prevent further develop of symptoms of diabetes and other complications, one has to ensure that he or she monitors the blood sugar level, take healthy diet and ensure that he or she is taking the right type and right dosage of medication. Please always seek advice from a healthcare provider for all the information and treatment that you might require.
