Signs and symptoms of diabetes

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There may be signs and symptoms related to diabetes that we deem worrying to warrant a visit to the physician.

Hunger and fatigue

Your body converts the food you eat into glucose that your cells use for energy. But your cells need insulin to bring the glucose in. If your body doesn’t make enough or any insulin, or if your cells cannot respond to the insulin your body makes, the glucose can’t get into your cells and you can feel lethargic. This can make you hungrier and more tired than usual.

Urinating and thirstier more often

The average person usually has to urinate between four and seven times in a day, but people with diabetes may need to urinate more often. Why? Normally your body reabsorbs glucose as it passes through your kidneys. But when diabetes pushes your blood sugar up, your kidneys may not be able to bring it all back in. This causes the body to create more urine through fluid consumption. Hence, you may need to go to the washroom more often and as a result, feel even thirstier.

Dry mouth and itchy skin

Because your body is losing fluids through urination, there is less moisture for other parts of your body. You may get dehydrated, and your mouth and skin may in turn feel dry. Dry skin can itch.

Blurred vision

Fluctuating fluid levels in your body may make the lenses in your eyes swell up, thereby changing their shape and their ability to focus correctly.

Slow-healing sores or cuts

Over time, high blood sugar can affect your blood flow and cause nerve damage that makes it hard for your body to heal wounds.

(Copyright® HST Medical Pte Ltd)