Getting diagnosed with diabetes can be mentally and emotionally taxing on you and your loved ones. It disrupts your entire life and requires you to make a significant change in your lifestyle. While you can manage the condition, reversing it completely is not possible. So, what is the way around? Does everyone have to wait until they are diagnosed with diabetes?
The answer is that if you are aware of the signs of diabetes, you can get ahead of the condition. Before you are diagnosed, your body gives out diabetes symptoms. If you recognize these first signs of diabetes and take steps to tackle them instantly, then you can prevent your condition from progressing. So, here are 10 warning signs of diabetes that will make you aware and help you take proactive steps.
1. Headaches
Daily headaches can be a very common symptom of diabetes. It occurs due to low blood sugar or when your body is in a hyperglycemic state. This is one of the most common low sugar symptoms.
2. Weight loss
Sudden weight loss is an alarming sign of diabetes. Whenever your body doesn’t get energy from food because of low glucose absorption, it starts burning down your fat and muscles for energy. You could be eating 4 or 5 meals a day but nonetheless you will end up losing weight. This is one of most obvious and common signs for those with diabetes.
3. Hunger
Whenever your body doesn’t get glucose for energy, it starts getting restless. Your body assumes that since the energy levels are low, it needs more food. Thus, increasing your urge to eat more and more every day. Even after consuming meals, you will feel that your weight is reducing instead of increase,
4. Thirst
Most of the liquid that you think will not be absorbed by the body. It directly passes through the urinary tract and goes out of your body. Thus, you will feel constantly dehydrated and will want to drink more and more water every day.
5. Fatigue
Since the main source of energy in your body – glucose – is running low, you will naturally feel tired and exhausted. Your body’s need for energy is high but the food that you are consuming barely gives you any nutrition due to poor insulin resistance. Thus, giving you the feeling of constant fatigue and tiredness all day long.
6. Frequent urination
When we talk about early signs of diabetes, frequent urination cannot go unnoticed. On average, a diabetic person urinates at least 8 to 10 times a day while a normal individual goes about 5 to 7 times. If you do urinate frequently, then get yourself checked immediately to take prompt actions.
7. Blurred vision
The fluctuation of fluid levels in your body can blur your vision. It could cause swelling on your eye lenses. Thus, making it difficult for you to see and focus. This is a temporary condition, and your vision goes back to normal as soon as your diabetes symptoms are under control and manageable.
8. Itchy skin
One of the most under-addressed symptoms of diabetes is itchiness on the skin. You will feel dryness in your skin and eventually get an itchy sensation.
9. Dry mouth
Since your body is not absorbing any nutrients from liquids, the moisture content will reduce drastically. You will feel as if your mouth is completely dry, and you are dehydrated all the time.
10. Slow healing wounds
High sugar levels in your body disrupt your body’s natural repair process. It will reduce blood flow, curb oxygen flow to the wounded area, and reduce the blood flow. All these factors contribute to slow healing of the wound. It could take hours for even a minor cut to start healing properly.
Prevention of Diabetes
Once you have acknowledged the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes, then you can start working on how to prevent it. Below are some ways that are effective in prevention of diabetes.
- Shed the extra kilos
- Follow a strict diet and manage your daily carb intake
- Exercise daily and work out your muscles
- Stay active
- Keep yourself informed and avoid trusting any unreliable sources
Conclusion
“Prevention is better than cure.” This sentence might be cliché to read but holds tremendous value. When you are able to spot the early symptoms or signs of diabetes, you get an upper hand. With proper care, you can put a stop to the progression of your condition. So, stay aware and keep an eye on these early signs of diabetes for effective sugar management and for improving your well-being.
