Introduction
Diabetes is a serious health condition that can have a major impact on your life. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of diabetes so that you can take steps to prevent or manage the condition. In this article, we will discuss some of the warning signs that doctors say you should look out for if you think you may be at risk of developing diabetes. We will also provide some tips on how to make healthy lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Finally, we will provide some advice on what to eat and what to avoid if you are at risk of developing diabetes.
Warning Signs You’re Getting Diabetes According to Doctors
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world. It’s important to be aware of the warning signs that you may be getting diabetes so that you can take steps to prevent it or manage it if you do develop it. Here are some warning signs that doctors say you should look out for.
Frequent Urination
One of the most common warning signs of diabetes is frequent urination. If you find yourself needing to go to the bathroom more often than usual, it could be a sign that your body is having difficulty processing sugar. This is because when your body can’t process sugar properly, it sends a signal to your kidneys to get rid of the excess sugar in your urine.
Increased Thirst
Another warning sign of diabetes is increased thirst. If you find yourself drinking more water than usual, it could be a sign that your body is trying to compensate for the excess sugar in your blood. This is because when your body can’t process sugar properly, it sends a signal to your brain to make you thirsty so that you can drink more water to help flush out the excess sugar.
Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss is another warning sign of diabetes. If you’re losing weight without making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, it could be a sign that your body is having difficulty processing sugar. This is because when your body can’t process sugar properly, it starts to break down your fat and muscle for energy instead.
Fatigue
Feeling tired all the time is another warning sign of diabetes. If you’re feeling exhausted even after getting a good night’s sleep, it could be a sign that your body is having difficulty processing sugar. This is because when your body can’t process sugar properly, it can’t get the energy it needs to function properly, which can lead to fatigue.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision is another warning sign of diabetes. If you’re having trouble seeing clearly, it could be a sign that your body is having difficulty processing sugar. This is because when your body can’t process sugar properly, it can cause fluid to build up in your eyes, which can lead to blurred vision.
Take Action
If you’re experiencing any of these warning signs, it’s important to take action. Make an appointment with your doctor to get tested for diabetes and to discuss ways to manage it if you do have it. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can manage your diabetes and live a healthy life.
According to the CDC, more than 122 million Americans are living with diabetes. “Many people don’t know they have high blood glucose levels until they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Often at this point, they’ve had it for some time,” says endocrinologist Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD. “Knowing your risk factors and the early signs of type 2 diabetes can help prevent or delay development of this chronic condition that affects millions of people.” Here are five warning signs of diabetes, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Constant infections and slow wound healing could be signs of type 2 diabetes. “The effects of type 2 diabetes make it harder for your body to fight off an infection, so you may experience frequent infections,” say Amy Hess-Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, and Lisa M. Leontis RN, ANP-C. “Women may have frequent vaginal (yeast) and/or bladder infections. That’s because bacteria can flourish when there are high levels of glucose in the blood. Similar to the body’s inability to fight off infections, it might take longer for wounds (even small cuts) to heal. The high blood glucose level affects how well the white blood cells (which are in charge of healing wounds) work.”
Blurry vision, especially after eating, could be a symptom of diabetes. “High blood sugar levels can cause fluid to move in and out of parts of your eye, often leading to swelling of the eye’s lens,” says Dr Russel Lazarus, B.Optom. “The lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina at the back of your eye. When the lens swells, the shape of the lens is affected, consequently affecting your ability to see clearly. When blurry vision is a result of hyperglycemia, clear vision will typically return when blood sugar levels fall within a normal range… Over time, uncontrolled diabetes or chronic hyperglycemia can cause damage to the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in your eyes.”
Do you feel ravenous no matter how much food you eat? Constant hunger could be a sign of type 2 diabetes, doctors warn. “Even after you eat, you may still feel very hungry,” say Hess-Fischl and Leontis. “That’s because your muscles aren’t getting the energy they need from the food; your body’s insulin resistance keeps glucose from entering the muscle and providing energy. Therefore, the muscles and other tissues send a ‘hunger’ message, trying to get more energy into the body.”
“Going to the bathroom more than normal, especially at night, is a sign of high blood sugar,” says James Salem, MD. “Diabetes causes the kidneys to work harder to remove excess sugar from your blood. When your kidneys can’t keep up, they spill excess sugar into your urine, leading to more frequent urination.”
Unexplained skin changes should never be ignored, doctors warn. “Diabetes can cause dark, velvety patches of skin in the folds of your neck, armpits or groin due to an excess of insulin in the blood,” says Dr. Salem.
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