Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

People can often have diabetes and be completely
unaware. The main reason for this is that the
symptoms, when seen on their own, seem harmless.
However, the earlier diabetes is diagnosed the
greater the chances are that serious complications,
which can result from having diabetes, can be
avoided.
The most common symptoms of diabetes
Here is a list of the most common signs and
symptoms of diabetes:
Frequent urination
Have you been going to the bathroom to urinate
more often recently? Do you notice that you spend
most of the day going to the toilet? When there is
too much glucose (sugar) in your blood you will
urinate more often. If your insulin is ineffective,
or not there at all, your kidneys cannot filter the
glucose back into the blood. The kidneys will take
water from your blood in order to dilute the
glucose - which in turn fills up your bladder.
Disproportionate thirst
If you are urinating more than usual, you will need
to replace that lost liquid. You will be drinking
more than usual. Have you been drinking more than
usual lately?
Intense hunger
As the insulin in your blood is not working properly,
or is not there at all, and your cells are not
getting their energy, your body may react by
trying to find more energy - food. You will become
hungry.
Weight gain
This might be the result of the above symptom
(intense hunger).
Unusual weight loss
This is more common among people with Diabetes
Type 1. As your body is not making insulin it will
seek out another energy source (the cells aren't
getting glucose). Muscle tissue and fat will be
broken down for energy. As Type 1 is of a more
sudden onset and Type 2 is much more gradual,
weight loss is more noticeable with Type 1.
Increased fatigue
If your insulin is not working properly, or is not
there at all, glucose will not be entering your cells
and providing them with energy. This will make you
feel tired and listless.
Irritability
Irritability can be due to your lack of energy.
Blurred vision
This can be caused by tissue being pulled from your
eye lenses. This affects your eyes' ability to focus.
With proper treatment this can be treated. There
are severe cases where blindness or prolonged
vision problems can occur.
Cuts and bruises don't heal properly or quickly
Do you find cuts and bruises take a much longer
time than usual to heal? When there is more sugar
(glucose) in your body, its ability to heal can be
undermined.
More skin and /or yeast infections
When there is more sugar in your body, its ability
to recover from infections is affected. Women with
diabetes find it especially difficult to recover from
bladder and vaginal infections.
Itchy skin
A feeling of itchiness on your skin is sometimes a
symptom of diabetes.
Gums are red and /or swollen - Gums pull away
from teeth
If your gums are tender, red and/or swollen this
could be a sign of diabetes. Your teeth could
become loose as the gums pull away from them.
Frequent gum disease /infection
As well as the previous gum symptoms, you may
experience more frequent gum disease and/or gum
infections.
Sexual dysfunction among men
If you are over 50 and experience frequent or
constant sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction),
it could be a symptom of diabetes.
Numbness or tingling , especially in your feet and
hands
If there is too much sugar in your body your nerves
could become damaged, as could the tiny blood
vessels that feed those nerves. You may experience
tingling and/or numbness in your hands and feet.