Diabetes Symptoms: How Do I Know If You Have Diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms are often confused with other conditions. It affects people differently. Some people only have mild symptoms while others develop serious complications. There is no doubt that anyone who suffers from diabetes can attest to the fact that their body’s blood sugar levels are frequently high. However, not everyone realizes that they could have diabetes. Many people do not realize what the symptoms of diabetes are until it is too late.
- Obesity is the primary cause of diabetes. Another major factor leading to the onset of diabetes is the consumption of unhealthy food. People who eat foods containing refined carbohydrates and simple sugars tend to increase their risk of developing diabetes.
Finally, poor diet habits play a role in the development of diabetes. Eating fast food regularly, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and skipping meals are just some of the ways that people can develop diabetes. Many doctors believe that eating healthier and exercising more often helps people lose weight and decrease their risk for diabetes.
The first step to take to live a healthier lifestyle is to reduce the amount of fat and sugar in your diet. But before jumping into the diabetes symptoms let’s understand what diabetes is.
DM – Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels over time. Diabetes is an illness characterized by high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. In layman’s terms, if you have diabetes, your body does not properly regulate how much glucose (blood sugar) enters your bloodstream.
Types of Diabetes and their Symptoms
Type 1 Diabetes – This type of diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar properly. When the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed into cells where it is needed for energy.
Type 2 Diabetes – The second kind of diabetes happens when the body doesn’t respond to insulin. In some cases, people have problems processing glucose or may become resistant to insulin. People who have type 2 diabetes can still eat normally, but they often experience high levels of sugar in their blood.
Gestational Diabetes- Gestational diabetes happens to pregnant women who have high blood sugar levels. This is not caused by eating too much food or being overweight, but rather due to hormonal changes in the body. In the first trimester of pregnancy, insulin production increases. Insulin helps regulate glucose levels in the body, and if the baby’s brain does not receive enough glucose (energy), then he/she may become hypoglycemic.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
1. Excessive thirst: When someone has type 1 diabetes, they have high levels of glucose (blood sugar) in their blood. As a result, they need to drink water frequently throughout the day. If they don’t get enough fluids, they may experience excessive thirst.
2. Frequent urination: People who have type 1 diabetes often feel the urge to go to the bathroom more than usual. This is because their bodies are trying to eliminate excess glucose from their bloodstream.
3. Fatigue in T1D: Fatigue is a symptom that many people experience when they have type 1 diabetes. When someone’s body doesn’t produce insulin properly, it causes them to become tired easily.
4. Blurred vision: Blurred vision is another symptom of type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes often notice that their eyesight becomes blurry. This happens because the fluid in their eyes increases.
5. Weight loss: Weight loss is a symptom of type 1 diabetes that some people experience. Because their bodies aren’t producing insulin correctly, they lose weight.
6. Dizziness: Dizziness is another symptom of type 2 diabetes. When someone’s blood sugar level rises, it can cause dizziness.
7. Headaches: Headaches are a symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When blood sugar levels rise, it can lead to headaches.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
1. Excessive thirst: If you find yourself constantly drinking water throughout the day, then you may have diabetes. If you don’t drink enough water, you’ll get dehydrated and suffer from headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle cramps.
2. Frequent urination: You might also notice frequent urination if you’re experiencing high blood sugar levels. Your urine could turn dark yellow or brownish-yellow. You’ll also feel tired and weak and experience blurred vision, especially after waking up in the morning.
3. Fatigue T2D: Diabetes causes extreme fatigue, and people who suffer from the disease often complain about feeling exhausted even though they’ve had plenty to eat. In addition, their bodies produce less insulin than normal, which prevents them from absorbing glucose from food. So, they eat more to ensure they have enough energy.
4. Blurred vision: When blood sugar levels go up, they cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in your eyes, causing swelling and bleeding. As a result, you might experience blurry vision. You need to check your eyes regularly to ensure that you aren’t suffering from diabetic retinopathy, a condition where the retina becomes damaged over time.
Diabetic Neuropathy: This condition occurs when nerve cells become damaged due to high blood sugar levels. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and burning sensations. You’ll also notice that you lose sensitivity to pain. These symptoms can lead to serious complications including amputation.
1. Skin infections: Diabetics are prone to skin infections because their immune systems are weakened. Infections can occur anywhere on the body, including the mouth, legs, feet, and genitals. When you develop a cut or wound, you need to cover it with a bandage until it heals.
2. Heart problems: High blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes are some of the possible consequences of having diabetes. High blood pressure can eventually lead to kidney failure, blindness, and stroke.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
1. Nausea: This symptom may occur at any point throughout pregnancy but tends to happen earlier than other symptoms. Ingesting foods high in sugar can cause nausea, which may result in vomiting.
2. Bloating: Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas. If you feel bloated, you should drink plenty of water and avoid eating fatty or greasy foods. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages while pregnant.
3. Excessive hunger: If you’re feeling hungry all day long, you may have gestational diabetes. Eating small meals frequently throughout the day helps keep blood glucose levels stable.
4. Fatigue GD: Fatigue is a common side effect of gestational diabetes. Try to get some rest and take frequent breaks during the day.
5. Cravings: Cravings for sweets and salty snacks are common among women who have gestational diabetes. To satisfy these cravings, eat fruits and vegetables instead of junk food.
6. Cramping: Cramps are painful contractions of muscles in your abdomen. If you experience cramps, try taking pain relievers or resting. Don’t strain yourself by exercising during the first trimester.
7. Weight gain: Pregnant women often gain weight due to increased fluid retention. Your doctor may recommend losing weight before you give birth.
Complications associated with Diabetes: Watch out for these Warning Signs
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Diabetes mellitus is a condition wherein the body cannot produce enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose for fuel. When someone has diabetes, their body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin and therefore cannot efficiently convert glucose into energy.
- Hyperglycemia: In addition to low blood sugar, hyperglycemia may occur if someone has high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar is called hyperglycemia and occurs when blood sugar levels are above normal. To keep blood sugar levels under control, diabetics often need to monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day and adjust their diet, exercise, and medication accordingly.
- Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is another complication of diabetes and occurs when someone’s blood sugar level drops below normal. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness, fatigue, sweating, hunger, headaches, and confusion. If left untreated, severe cases of hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Treatments for diabetes
You can control the amount of sugar in your blood by taking medication. Your doctor will advise you on how to use the correct dose of insulin to achieve good control. Insulin is given either by injection under the skin, through a pump attached to the chest wall, or by inhalation.
You may also want to consider seeing a specialist dietitian who knows about managing diabetes. He or she will help you develop a suitable eating plan to reduce your risk of developing complications and improve your quality of life.
In the end,
If you suspect that you suffer from diabetes, the best thing that you can do is contact your doctor right away. He or she will need to perform a series of tests to determine if you have diabetes. Once diagnosed, your physician will likely prescribe medication to help control your blood sugar level.
