The best way to know if you have diabetes is to test your blood sugar after a doctor’s diagnosis. There are different tests, but the most common are the A1C test and plasma glucose test. However, people with diabetes may show some signs and symptoms or not, depending on the type of diabetes.
People with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes may not show any signs or symptoms. Type 1 diabetes shows symptoms earlier than all other types of diabetes. Generally, there may be no symptoms at all in the early stages of diabetes.
10 Warning Signs You Should Observe to Know If You Have Diabetes
1. Feeling more thirsty than usual
Excessive and frequent thirst is often one of the early indicators of diabetes. When blood sugar rises, the body tries to get rid of the excess sugar through increased urination, leading to dehydration.
This, in turn, triggers an intense feeling of thirst. If you find yourself reaching for water more frequently than usual, it might be a sign of diabetes.
2. Increased hunger
Diabetes usually disrupts the normal functioning of insulin, leading to a high concentration of glucose. As a result, cells may not receive the energy they need despite the presence of high blood sugar.
As the body signals the need for more fuel, you start to feel hungry. An unexplained increase in your appetite could be a warning sign that your body is struggling to manage glucose effectively.
3. Persistent fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of many health problems, but it can also be a sign of diabetes. The body starts breaking down fat for fuel when cells are not receiving enough glucose for energy. A process resulting from insulin resistance or inadequate insulin production.
As a result, you start to feel constant tiredness and exhaustion. Persistent fatigue, even after a good night’s sleep, is one of the warning signs of diabetes.
4. Having blurry vision
Changes in vision, specifically blurriness, can be another warning sign of diabetes. An increase in blood sugar levels can affect the shape of the lens in your eyes, leading to difficulties in focusing. A sudden or gradual blurring of vision, especially if it comes and goes, may likely be diabetes-induced.
5. Having slow-healing sores
Diabetes can affect the body’s ability to heal wounds. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and affect the circulatory system. This reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the wound.
As a result, cuts and sores may take longer to heal. There is also an increased risk of infection.
6. Getting a lot of infections
Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin, and vaginal infections, may be a sign of diabetes. The immune system assists in defending the body against infections. Diabetes can compromise the immune system, giving access to various infections to attack the body. Recurrent or persistent infections, especially in multiple areas of the body, might signal high blood sugar levels.
7. Having itchy or dry skin
High blood sugar levels can cause the skin to lose moisture, resulting in dryness and itching. Diabetes can also affect nerve function, leading to sensations of tingling or itching. If you notice different patches in different areas of your skin, it may be a sign of diabetes.
8. Urinating frequently, especially at night
Frequent urination, especially at night, is a classic symptom of diabetes. The kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb excess sugar when blood sugar levels are high. This increases urine production, causing individuals with diabetes to urinate more frequently.
9. Presence of ketones in the urine
Ketones are byproducts produced when the body breaks down fat for energy due to insufficient insulin. If your urine is tested to contain high levels of ketones, you’re likely at risk of diabetes. A high level of ketones in your urine indicates your body is too acidic, a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
10. Unintentional weight loss
Weight loss is often a goal for many. However, unexpected and unintentional weight loss can be a cause for concern. Especially when other diabetes symptoms accompany it.
In the presence of high blood sugar, the body may start breaking down muscle tissue for energy, leading to weight loss. A significant and unexplained drop in weight may be a sign of diabetes.
If you observe one or several of these symptoms, what’s the next step? You should consult a medical professional for guidance. The doctor may recommend that you go for a test so they can diagnose and confirm if you truly have diabetes. Detecting diabetes early can help an individual in managing it effectively or even reverse it.
What are the Tests Used to Diagnose Diabetes?
The kind of test you’ll undergo depends on the type of diabetes your diagnosis shows. Your doctor will have you take one or more of the following blood tests if you have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- A1C Test
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test
- Glucose Tolerance Test
- Random Blood Sugar Test
For gestational diabetes, it is diagnosed using blood tests. The tests usually take between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. But your doctor may test you earlier if your risk factor is high.
One or both of the following tests are carried out to confirm gestational diabetes diagnosis:
- Glucose Screening Test
- Glucose Tolerance Test
Risk Factors of Diabetes
Each type of diabetes comes with its risk factors. But none are as clear as type 2 diabetes. Even though anyone can have type 2 diabetes, some factors are likely to increase one’s risk.
Risk factors of type 2 diabetes include:
- Being 45 years of age or older
- Having prediabetes
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Eating an unbalanced diet
- Having overweight or obesity
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Having a medical history of stroke, heart disease, or gestational diabetes
Treatment: What to Do If You Have Diabetes
Once you know you have diabetes, the next step is what to do to manage it. Generally, diabetes does not have a cure but can be managed, such as type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is chronic and comes with severe symptoms and complications.
However, some types of diabetes, like gestational diabetes and prediabetes, are reversible. Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar is high but not high enough to be called diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes after childbirth.
Individuals who have type 1 diabetes will have to take insulin for the rest of their lives. That’s because the pancreas no longer produces the insulin the body needs.
Type 2 diabetes may be controlled and treated through an individual’s lifestyle changes. These include:
- Eating balanced diet
- Reducing weight
- Exercising and engaging in physical activities
Doctors may also prescribe oral or injectable medications to manage your blood sugar levels. Such medications include metformin or insulin.
Can diabetes be prevented?
You cannot prevent Type 1 diabetes. Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced by engaging in a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, you may increase your risk due to genetic history, environmental and other factors.
Can diabetes be cured?
Type 1 and type 2 cannot be cured. However, type 2 diabetes is easier to manage than type 1 diabetes.
Prediabetes and gestational diabetes are reversible. An individual with prediabetes needs to take precautions to lower their blood sugar levels quickly. Pregnant women are usually free from gestational diabetes after delivery.
Are you currently having any of these symptoms listed above and you’ve confirmed with your doctor and they said it’s actually diabetes? We’ve got a solution for you. Here’s a clinically certified diabetes product that can help you crush your sugar level in 90 days or less.
