Diabetes is a common disease that can lead to alarming and life-threatening consequences if not thoroughly treated.
1. You have to urinate often
One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is having to urinate frequently. Because the body wants to remove the excess sugar from your blood, the kidneys have a lot of work to do. So if the kidneys are overworked, the body wants to eliminate the sugar through urination.
2. Blurred vision
A high blood sugar level can cause the lens of your eyes to swell, which naturally affects your vision. Diabetes can also affect the nerves that control tear production.
3. You get infections quickly, and they take a long time to heal.
Since your body is working so hard to regulate the excess sugars in your body, there is less energy available to heal wounds and infections. Your immune system is weakened, making your body much more vulnerable.
4. Extreme hunger
In the early stages of diabetes, it is often the case that the person feels very hungry. Glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells, so the food you consume is not converted into energy. And as a result, you get very hungry.
5. You are very thirsty
If you are constantly thirsty or have trouble quenching your thirst, it may be because you have diabetes. This causes you to accumulate too much sugar in your blood, causing your kidneys to overwork to filter the sugar. They need a lot of fluid for that.
6. Weight loss without knowing why
When the body works hard and removes a lot of fluid, this often leads to weight loss. If this happens to you without actively wanting to lose weight, it may be a sign of diabetes.
7. You feel tired and exhausted
Constant fatigue is common among diabetics, as blood sugar levels are not balanced.
8. Tingling hands and feet
If you feel numbness in your feet, arms, or hands, check if you have diabetes. High blood sugar can damage the nerves that send signals to your hands and feet, leading to numbness or a tingling sensation.
9. Your breath smells like nail polish
Diabetes can cause a chemical odor in your breath. A smell resembling nail polish may be the result of a high ketone level in your body, which is a sign that you are suffering from a dangerous condition, namely ketoacidosis.
Sources: Diabetes Health Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Never ignore these symptoms. Both in yourself and in others. Keep an eye out. If the diagnosis is made on time, the consequences are less threatening. Share these important signs with others.
