It is estimated that 9.4% of the total American population suffers from diabetes with 7.2 million individuals not knowing they have the disease.
Finding out that you have diabetes can feel terrifying, but the sooner you get diagnosed and receive treatment, the better your chances of recovery will be. If, however, you’re not sure that you have the disease or not, then continue reading below for 10 signs of diabetes.
Signs of Diabetes
Before we discuss the signs in detail, let’s take a quick look at signs of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
- Bedwetting
- Blurred vision
- Constant hunger
- Dry mouth or abnormal thirst
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Sudden weight loss
- Frequent urination
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
- Recurring infections
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Blurred vision
- Extreme hunger
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Slow healing wounds
Those with type 2 diabetes can stay unaware of their condition for months, even years, because the symptoms are not usually obvious. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, please talk to a doctor right away.
Now, let’s break down these symptoms for a deeper understanding:
Excessive Thirst
This is one of the most common signs of diabetes. Diabetic individuals can drink fluids by the gallon but will still have a dry mouth.
Frequent Urination
If you find yourself visiting the bathroom more than usual, it could be an early sign of diabetes. Generally speaking, urinating 4 to 7 times a day is considered normal. But a diabetic person’s body will try to get rid of excessive glucose with frequent urination.
Constant Hunger
If your body is not responding to insulin (type 2 diabetes) or not producing insulin (type 1 diabetes), your body won’t convert food into glucose for energy. This causes patients to feel hungry most times of the day, regardless of how much they eat.
Blurred Vision
When you get diabetes, the fluid levels in your body change. This sometimes causes swelling in your eyes’ lenses, preventing them from focusing properly.
Fatigue
If you’ve been feeling tired or drowsy lately, it could be a result of not getting enough sleep or working too hard. But it can also be a sign of diabetes. Talk to a doctor if your tiredness is not going away despite eating all your vitamins and sleeping well.
Wounds Take Longer to Heal
When your blood sugar increases, it impacts your blood flow, hindering your body’s natural ability to heal. Cuts, scrapes, and bruises will take an abnormally long time to heal.
Numbness or Tingling in the Hands or Feet
When diabetes increases the blood sugar levels for extended periods, it can result in nerve damage. This can lead to tingling or pain in your hands and/or feet.
Sudden Weight Change
If you suffer from type 1 diabetes, you will highly likely lose (or gain) a lot of weight randomly.
Itchy Skin
Diabetes causes your body to become dehydrated unless you are drinking water sufficiently. This same dehydration can also cause itchy and dry skin.
Yeast Infections
Yeast feeds on sugar. If you have diabetes – whether you are a man or a woman – you’ll have an excessive amount of sugar in your body, providing a thriving environment for yeast.
Contact 24 Hour Docs if You Notice Any Signs Of Diabetes
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above, it’s imperative you contact a doctor so they can provide a proper diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you stay safe from severe complications associated with diabetes.
If you reside in California, 24 Hour Docs can provide you with a board-certified doctor for online consultation about your symptoms. Call us at 877-244-6876 or contact us online.