Symptoms of Diabetes

Following are some common symptoms of diabetes. However, many people do not have diabetic symptoms.

• Frequent Urination - Are you visiting the bathroom more than usual lately? Does it seem like you urinate all day long? Urination becomes more frequent when there is too much glucose in the blood. If insulin is nonexistent or ineffective, the kidneys can't filter glucose back to the blood. They then try to draw extra water out of the blood to dilute the glucose. This is what causes frequent urination.
• Feeling more hungry than usual
• Dry Mouth or extreme thirst - This could be a sign of diabetes, especially if it is accompanied by frequent urination. You will become dehydrated and feel the need to drink more to replace the water that you are losing.
• Blurred or Distorted Vision - Seeing flashes of light or large red or black circles, or seeing what looks like spider webs, hair, or cotton fibers
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet - This symptom is known as neuropathy. Neuropathy can very often improve when tighter blood glucose control is achieved. Click here to learn more about Neuropathy.
• Weight loss - This symptom is more common with Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1, the pancreas stops making insulin, causing the body to look for an energy source because the cells aren't getting glucose. It starts to break down muscle tissue and fat for energy. Type 2 happens gradually with increasing insulin resistance so weight loss is not as noticeable.
• Fatigue - Glucose from food travels into the bloodstream where insulin is supposed to help it transition into our body's cells. The cells use it to produce energy. When the insulin isn't there, or if the cells don't react to it anymore, then the glucose stays outside the cells in the bloodstream. The cells become energy starved and you feel fatigued and weak.
• Dry, itchy skin
• Vaginal Yeast Infections
• Feeling cranky
• Frequent infections or cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal.
• Skin, gum, or bladder infections

If you notice any of the above signs, they may be symptoms of diabetes. You should schedule an appointment with your health care professional. Also, if you are over 45 or have any of the risk factors associated with diabetes (overweight or family history), you should be screened regularly.

The first step in learning to control your diabetes is to know what you are dealing with!