Diabetes is a serious health condition in which blood glucose levels get too high. Receiving a prompt diagnosis and receiving the proper treatment is essential to prevent the development of serious health complications. Although there are several common symptoms of diabetes, there are some subtle ones that Britons need to be aware of.
According to diabetes.org.uk, one in ten people over the age of 40 have been diagnosed with type two diabetes.
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Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes is vital, as this condition can be effectively managed when detected early.
However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
Although the symptoms of people with diabetes vary dramatically from person to person, there are 10 key signs that should not be ignored.
You need to go to the bathroom more often than usual
Many dismiss an increased need to go to the bathroom as a simple effect of getting older.
But the need to urinate more often is a common symptom of diabetes and should not be lightly ignored.
The average person needs to urinate four to seven times a day, if you need to go to the bathroom more often, this could be a sign that your kidneys are working overtime to remove high levels of sugar from your blood.
If you wake up several times to go at night, this could also be an early indication of diabetes.
Feeling fatigued or weak
People with diabetes often feel more tired. This is because when sugar can’t get into your cells to fuel them, your kidneys have to work harder to get rid of the excess sugar.
This can make the patient feel unusually tired or weak.
increased appetite
If you eat more than usual or have difficulty feeling full even after a large meal, this could indicate diabetes.
When blood sugar levels are not maintained at a normal level, your brain can send mixed messages about the need for food, incorrectly signaling hunger despite eating sufficient amounts of food.
Increased thirst
If you feel thirsty even after drinking plenty of fluids, you could have diabetes.
If you drink more than four liters of water a day and still feel extremely thirsty, your blood sugar levels may be too high.
Blurry vision
If your vision has suddenly become blurrier, this could be a sign of diabetes.
When your blood sugar levels are very high, your vision may become blurry, but this should clear up again once your blood sugar levels drop.
If you find daily tasks exhausting, this could be a sign that you have developed diabetes.
Five less common symptoms include:
- Tingle
- Skin itch
- Increased skin infections and cuts that take a long time to heal.
- Yeast infections or urinary tract infections that occur regularly
- Depression-like symptoms or increased irritable mood
If you experience any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, you should speak to your GP, who will likely carry out a blood test to check for diabetes.