10 early signs and symptoms of diabetes
1. Excessive fatigue: diabetes
Sure, a lot of things cause fatigue, including the simplest explanation that you're not sleeping enough. But fatigue always comes with diabetes because the body tries and fails to use the fuel that is being pumped into it.
If you find that you are very tired after eating, when you should have more energy, this is a strong sign that you may have diabetes.
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2. Excessive hunger and thirst: type 2 diabetes
What happens is that the body is overwhelmed by the task of processing glucose in your bloodstream. Water is pulled out of cells to try and flush away the excess, but in the process, all the important nutrients your body needs, including the glucose itself, are lost.
The result is a cycle of dehydration and hunger that eating and drinking more only perpetuates.
3. Frequent urination
Because water is pulled from all available cells in order to flush away excess glucose, the kidneys get overwhelmed trying to filter and reabsorb it. That means you’ll be running to the toilet way more than usual to eliminate the build-up.
All that peeing can leave the body very dehydrated, not to mention exhausted, because this is a 24/7 problem that will affect your ability to sleep through the night.
4. Yeast infection
Yeast infections often occur in the tissues of the vagina, but men don't quite stay away! Yeast feeds on excess sugar that can be excreted in sweat, urine, and mucus. Therefore, yeast infections are found almost anywhere on the skin, but especially in places that tend to trap moisture.
In addition to a weak immune system, yeast can be difficult to control in diabetics.
5. Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction in men with uncontrolled diabetes likely stems from damage to nerves and blood vessels. Though embarrassing to discuss, erectile dysfunction affects both the sufferer and his partner.
Probably the last thing you need when already feeling crummy from uncontrolled diabetes is an unhappy relationship with your significant other, so put the embarrassment aside and speak to your doctor ASAP.
6. Blurry vision: type 2 diabetes
.Diabetes causes blurred vision because your eyes depend on the fluids in and around them to function properly. The dehydrated lens twists and struggles to focus. This condition is often resolved with proper management of diabetes.
However, if diabetes is left unchecked, it also causes nerve damage. When new vessels in the back of the eye try to form over the damaged vessels, this can lead to permanent blindness.
7. Unexplained weight loss
Being able to eat as much as you want and still lose weight sounds like a dream, right? Actually, it’s more like a nightmare as your body is failing to retrieve fuel from the food you eat and instead burning fat to survive.
That’s not sustainable over the long term, and a sign that diabetes is causing you to starve no matter how much you consume.
8. Nausea and vomiting: diabetes
When uncontrolled diabetes leads to rapid weight loss, your body burns fat at an unsustainable rate. This process creates ketones, which may build up in the blood at dangerous levels and lead to a potentially fatal condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
Ketones cause nausea and vomiting for people with sensitive stomachs.
9. Bad breath: diabetes
Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is common among diabetics because they are prone to infections. Inflamed, infected gums cause bad breath and can also affect the metabolism, resulting in an increase in blood sugar.
Another source of bad breath related to diabetes comes from ketoacidosis. High levels of ketones in the blood are associated with the sweet, fruity smell on the breath.
10. Darkening of the skin
Officially called acanthosis nigricans, these symptoms include darkening and thickening of the skin, especially in the folds.
Sometimes, the darker skin is slightly raised and velvety to the touch. They are most often found in the armpits, neck, groin, or under the breasts. Doctors consider acanthosis nigricans to be an indicator of diabetes and believe it is linked to insulin resistance. Because diabetes symptoms can be vague and seem unrelated, they may elicit turbulent feelings that begin to feel like the primary concern.
From fatigue caused by cell starvation to diminished sex life due to erectile dysfunction or frequent yeast/bladder infections, it stands to reason that irritability and depression may result from uncontrolled diabetes.
Conclusion
Managing your physical health can do a lot to improve mental health.
Please don't wait any longer to get checked out for diabetes. The disease can be controlled - even cured, if caught early enough. And if your exams come out clear, you'll have gained valuable peace of mind. Make the call today. Your body, mind, and most importantly - sex life - will thank you.