The early signs and symptoms of diabetes can be subtle and go unnoticed at first. However, it is important to be aware of these symptoms so that you can see a doctor and get tested for diabetes if you experience any of them.
Here are some of the early signs and symptoms of diabetes:
- Increased thirst: One of the most common early signs of diabetes is increased thirst. This is because the body is trying to flush out excess sugar from the blood.
- Frequent urination: When you have diabetes, your kidneys have to work harder to filter sugar out of the blood. This can lead to frequent urination.
- Extreme hunger: When your body is not able to use sugar properly for energy, you may feel hungrier than usual.
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying can be a sign of diabetes. This is because the body is breaking down muscle and fat for energy instead of sugar.
- Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, which can lead to blurred vision.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired all the time is another common symptom of diabetes. This is because your body is not able to use sugar properly for energy.
- Slow-healing sores and cuts: High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the feet, which can make it difficult for sores and cuts to heal.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet: High blood sugar levels can also damage the nerves in the hands and feet, which can lead to numbness or tingling.
If you experience any of these early signs and symptoms of diabetes, it is important to see a doctor and get tested. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be managed with medication, diet, and exercise.
Please note that not everyone with diabetes will experience all of these early signs and symptoms. Some people with diabetes may not have any symptoms at all until the disease has progressed. Therefore, it is important to get tested for diabetes regularly, especially if you have risk factors for the disease, such as obesity, family history of diabetes, or being over the age of 45.