Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Essentially, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should, leading to too much sugar in your bloodstream. Catching the early signs of diabetes can be crucial in managing it effectively. Here’s what you need to look out for.
Increased Thirst and Urination
One of the hallmark signs of diabetes is feeling more thirsty than usual, which is closely followed by a need to urinate more often. This happens because your kidneys are working overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar in your blood. If they can’t keep up, the sugar is excreted into your urine, dragging fluids from your tissues along with it. This makes you dehydrated and thirsty.
Unexpected Weight Loss
Losing weight without trying might sound like a dream to some, but it can actually be a warning sign of diabetes. When your cells don’t get enough glucose, your body starts burning fat for energy instead, which can lead to weight loss. Additionally, the loss of sugar and calories through frequent urination also contributes to this unexpected weight drop.
Feeling Tired All the Time
Fatigue is another common sign of diabetes. There are several reasons why diabetes might make you feel exhausted. Firstly, your body is trying hard to compensate for the lost fluids by making you drink more, leading to dehydration and a feeling of tiredness. Secondly, without enough insulin to help convert glucose into energy, your muscles and organs lack the fuel they need, making you feel fatigued.
Blurry Vision
High blood sugar levels can also affect your vision by causing the lens of your eye to swell, leading to a temporary blurring of sight. While this can be rectified once sugar levels are stabilized, it’s an important early sign of diabetes not to ignore.
Slow Healing Cuts and Bruises
High levels of sugar in the blood can impact circulation and the ability of the body to heal. If you notice that cuts, bruises, or infections are taking longer than usual to heal, it could be an early sign of diabetes.