Shocking symptoms that may be diabetes and you did not know!

Diabetes is one of the most diagnosed diseases in the world. It can be very scary for a person to discover that they have the disease, but the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better for your health. Symptoms result from higher than normal levels of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. However, warning signs can be so subtle that almost no one notices them. Therefore, it is important to monitor things like itching, frequent going to the bathroom, weight gain or loss, and many others.

Want to learn more about the annoying symptoms of diabetes (some of which are completely unexpected)? Click next to Gallery.

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Itchy skin

Itchy skin is often caused by diabetes and is sometimes one of the first symptoms. It may be caused by a yeast or fungal infection, dry skin, or poor circulation.

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exhaustion

Extreme fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of diabetes. This fatigue is caused by fluctuating blood glucose levels that do not provide enough glucose to use for energy.

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Constant thirst

Because a person needs to urinate often, he or she may feel very thirsty. The combination of kidney fatigue and excessive thirst leaves people with unmanaged diabetes living on the toilet.

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Increased hunger

Extreme hunger, or eating too much, is also a warning sign of diabetes. Our body uses blood glucose to fuel cells. When this system is broken, cells cannot absorb glucose. This makes the body constantly search for fuel, causing constant hunger.

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Irritability

Low blood sugar, nausea, fatigue, and poor circulation can make anyone feel less than happy, and often make those with untreated diabetes even angrier.

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Long nap

Studies found that people who napped during the day for longer than an hour were 45% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who napped less. This is because sleep deprivation, depression, or sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

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Wounds that take a long time to heal

Over time, high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels to narrow. This slows blood circulation and restricts the development of nutrients and oxygen, making it difficult for the body to heal wounds.

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rash

Many diabetics notice small round or oval lesions on the underside of their legs. These spots, known as diabetic dermopathy, are thought to occur in up to 55% of diabetics.

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Strange sensations in the foot

About 10% to 20% of people diagnosed with diabetes have some nerve damage associated with the disease. You may feel a strange electrical tingling sensation in your feet, or decreased sensation or balance.

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Skin discoloration

Another warning sign of diabetes is acanthosis nigricans. This is a condition that causes discolouration at the back of the neck. Dark, velvety skin changes can also occur in the armpits and groin.

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Vomiting and nausea

Both high and low sugar can make a person feel sick to the stomach, and this uneasy feeling is often the first sign of diabetes that should be noticed before diagnosis.

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Blurred vision

High blood sugar levels can damage the retina and cause fluid levels around the eyeballs to fluctuate. This can leave a person with blurred or double vision.

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hearing loss

High blood sugar can affect nerve cells in the ear and cause hearing loss. So be sure to check this during the physical examination.

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Sweet breath

Diabetics often notice that they develop sweet or nail polish-like breath before they are diagnosed. Bad breath is often a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which the body cannot effectively convert glucose into energy, keeping blood sugar at dangerous levels if left untreated.

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Inflamed or infected gums

Gingivitis, also known as gingivitis, can be one of the first signs of type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that people with gingivitis, especially more severe cases, have higher rates of prediabetes and prediabetes than those who do not have gingivitis. .

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Erectile dysfunction in men

For men, a noticeable decrease in their ability to have an erection may be a sign of diabetes. In fact, up to 71% of men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction.

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depression

The rapid fluctuations in blood sugar that are part of untreated diabetes can cause profound mood changes, including depression.

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Recurrent infections

Anyone can get bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections, but people with type 2 diabetes tend to get them more often. High blood sugar associated with diabetes can weaken a person's immune system, making them more susceptible to infections.

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Numbness and tingling in the fingers

High blood sugar can cause nerve damage, which is often indicated by a feeling of numbness or tingling in the hands. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to tissue death and limb amputation.

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Pee more

When the kidneys have to compensate for excess blood sugar, it often means that a person often finds themselves rushing to the bathroom.

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Unplanned weight loss

If your body can't get energy from food, it will start burning muscle and fat to get that energy. This will make you lose weight even if you do not change the way you eat.

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Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Both types of diabetes share some of the same warning signs. But some of them are more characteristic of type 2 diabetes. These symptoms tend to appear after the glucose level has been high for a long time.

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Yeast infections

Men and women with diabetes can get yeast infections. Yeast feeds on glucose, so high sugar levels cause this type of infection to flourish.

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Polycystic ovary syndrome

For many women, a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may mean that a diabetes diagnosis is on the way. PCOS and diabetes are linked to insulin resistance, which means there are similar hormonal problems in both diseases.

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Dry mouth

As the body uses fluids to urinate, moisture for the rest of the body decreases. A person can easily become dehydrated, leaving their mouth dry.

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Decreased sexual desire

If your desire to have intimate relationships is non-existent, the reason may be diabetes. Poor circulation and depression that often accompany the disease can make it difficult to get aroused.

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overweight

Although some diabetics tend to lose weight, weight gain is also common. Diabetes and thyroid disorders often go hand in hand, making diabetics more likely to be overweight.

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Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Pregnant women may be at risk of developing gestational diabetes. High blood sugar during pregnancy usually has no symptoms, which is why frequent testing is necessary.

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When do you go to the doctor?

If you think you may have any of the early signs of diabetes, it's important to get tested. When the condition is detected early, nerve damage, heart problems and other complications can be avoided.

Sources: (Health.com) (Healthline) (Eat this, not that!))

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