"The groundwork of all happiness is health."
- Leigh Hunt
If your body’s groundwork isn’t strong, the body will tend to feel weak. With time, it may get worse. Lucky for us, our bodies don’t straightaway jump into an illness. They start by talking to you through Symptoms. A way for them to say “Hey buddy, there’s something wrong in here and I need your help.”
Prevention is always the best route but when you happen to miss that, look out for your second shot – recognising the symptoms. Some common diabetes symptoms are easy to see, while others may go unnoticed. Few symptoms of diabetes differ from person to person and some people tend to show no symptoms at all. Some common diabetes symptoms have a gradual increase and that’s what we will talk about today.
What is diabetes?
When your body cannot manage your blood glucose levels well, it leads to a condition called diabetes. It all boils down to the hormone that helps your cells absorb sugar – insulin. This hormone helps in the absorption of sugar into your cells, which is converted into energy. When your body is unable to absorb sugar properly, it may lead to diabetes. In people with diabetes, the body either produces insufficient insulin or is unable to efficiently utilize the insulin it generates. The former is called Type 1 diabetes and the latter is called Type 2 diabetes.
Let’s talk symptoms
Your symptoms depend on your glucose levels. Some people, especially those with Type 2 diabetes or Prediabetes, may not have any symptoms. But in the case of type 1 diabetes, symptoms show up early. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes develop slowly.
Here are some common diabetes symptoms:
- Increased hunger
- Feeling more thirsty than usual or dry mouth
- Unexpected weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Feeling extreme fatigue
- Wounds heal slowly (sores, cuts, and bruises)
- Feeling irritable or having mood changes
- Frequent skin and/or vaginal yeast infections
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
Type 1 diabetes symptoms
The onset of Type 1 diabetes symptoms is very early and can occur within a few weeks as the body doesn’t produce enough insulin.
Because these symptoms occur rapidly, they tend to be more serious and easily noticed. For instance, experiencing abnormal weight loss in a short span. This quick nature of Type 1 diabetes can take your sugar levels very high before you get diagnosed and treated. In such times, it may end up in a medical emergency called ketoacidosis.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms
Type 2 diabetes symptoms are slower to develop because of Insulin Resistance or insufficient insulin production. Many can have this type of diabetes without any noticeable symptoms. When these symptoms show up, they can seem minor, dismissable, or mistaken for something else.
When going through Type 2 diabetes, the increasing glucose in the blood may cause:
- Numb limbs
- Pain in the limbs
- Open sores on feet
- Changes in skin
- Vision loss
Can diabetes be prevented?
Yes and No. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but with the help of a balanced diet plan, some medication, and a good lifestyle, the risks can definitely be lowered.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Although the genetical factor in Type 2 diabetes can’t be avoided, a good diet and a better lifestyle can prevent the start of Type 2 diabetes altogether.
Here are some steps to start with:
- Workout for at least 30 mins daily
- Set weight goals as per your body
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Stop smoking
- Try not to take a lot of stress
- Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep daily
When should you take a trip to the doctor?
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If you’ve not been diagnosed yet
Consider seeing a healthcare provider right away, especially if you see any common diabetes symptoms like feeling thirsty more often or frequently urinating. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner the treatment starts, and the better you get to live.
-
If you have been diagnosed
Ensure that you get regularly checked by your doctor so they can help you manage diabetes. This could go on until your glucose levels normalize.
To sum up, we strongly agree with Leigh Hunt’s words – maintaining good health is the cornerstone of a happy life. Through diabetes, we realize how important it is to listen to your body and recognise the symptoms early. Though exercising prevention should go without saying, understanding the bodily hints and getting timely medical help is also important. Be it the rapid Type 1 diabetes symptoms or gradual Type 2 diabetes symptoms, being proactive in managing one's health is key.
Some lifestyle adjustments here and there, some fixing your food habits and some doctor appointments will help you a great deal in preventing or managing diabetes. Just treat your health as your greatest asset and you will reap the returns soon.
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