The most important thing:
- Diabetes affects a huge number of people and it is very important to be informed about the symptoms.
- When should we test for diabetes?
- Why do so many people with diabetes remain undiagnosed and unaware that they have the condition?
- What can we do to reduce the risk of complications from diabetes?
Don’t let this fact fill you with panic, but the risk of you or someone close to you developing diabetes at some point in your life is not small.
There are several main types of diabetes, and the number of people suffering from these conditions is rising – both in Bulgaria and across the developed world, the number of patients is steadily increasing. It is extremely valuable for everyone to know the main symptoms of diabetes. When the diagnosis is made in time and the disease is well controlled, we significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.
Symptoms of diabetes – why it is so important to recognise them
Diabetes, also known as sugar disease, is something we’ve all heard of. We usually think of it as a disease of overweight people. In most cases, weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are indeed directly linked to the disease.
Another important thing everyone should know is that, unfortunately, diabetes is a very common disease. That’s why it’s good for everyone to have basic information about the symptoms of diabetes. You may not be familiar with this statistic, but according to the Bulgarian Association of Endocrinologists, one in ten people in our country is affected by diabetes. Another worrying fact is that around 25% of these people have not been diagnosed and are unaware that they suffer from this metabolic disease.
What are the typical symptoms of diabetes?
These are the most common symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis of diabetes:
- Frequent urination: When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys try to remove the excess sugar from the body through the urine. This can lead to more frequent trips to the toilet, including at night.
- Excessive thirst: Naturally, frequent urination causes you to lose a large amount of fluid. That is why there is intense thirst associated with diabetes, even if you drink water often and in sufficient quantities.
- Dry mouth: High blood sugar levels can cause a dry and sticky feeling in the mouth.
- Excessive hunger: When your body cannot use glucose for energy, you may feel hungry even after eating.
- Unexplained weight loss: A typical symptom of type 1 diabetes is when a person begins to lose weight without changing their exercise or dietary habits.
- Fatigue: Again, the reason is that your body does not convert glucose into energy. Therefore, unusual fatigue can be an early symptom of diabetes.
- Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in blurred vision.
- Delayed wound healing: Diabetes impairs blood circulation and the immune system does not function optimally. This leads to slower healing of wounds and abrasions and increases the risk of infection.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet: High blood sugar levels can damage the peripheral nervous system. This is the cause of numbness or tingling in the extremities.
You have probably already noticed that most symptoms of diabetes are non-specific.
It’s easy to confuse them with another condition or simply ignore them. This is especially true of type 2 diabetes. To explain this better, we need to say a few words about the main types of the disease.
The difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is not actually a single disease but a group of metabolic disorders. They are all characterised by the body’s inability to absorb energy from carbohydrates, a process in which the hormone insulin plays an important role. When this absorption process is impaired, sugar remains circulating in the blood rather than being converted into energy at the cellular level. Therefore, diabetes is referred to as a condition of elevated blood sugar over an extended period.
Everyone has experienced a temporary spike in their blood sugar level at some point. However, consistently elevated levels are toxic and can cause damage to vital organs and systems in our body. Blood sugar control is achieved in different ways for the various types of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes: Patients with this type of diabetes require insulin injections. In their case, the pancreas cannot produce enough of this hormone, which is essential for metabolising carbohydrates.
- Type 2 diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, our body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly. People with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar levels with medication, lifestyle changes, or both.
- Gestational diabetes: It occurs during pregnancy and it is possible that the woman’s condition will return to normal after childbirth. However, it is important to establish an accurate diagnosis in order to monitor and control the patient’s health.
- Prediabetes: Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes
The symptoms of the two main types of diabetes are different.
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms can develop rapidly, within a few weeks. This is not the case with type 2 diabetes. In this instance, symptoms usually develop slowly and gradually, making them easy to overlook. (1) Some patients may experience all the symptoms of diabetes. Others may experience only some of the listed symptoms.
Did you know that of the two types of diabetes, type 2 can be prevented and that with a good diet and lifestyle changes it can be significantly influenced? That’s why it’s such a shame that we’re still not sufficiently aware of the symptoms and don’t get tested in time to obtain an accurate diagnosis and take steps regarding our diet and exercise.
What should we do if we notice symptoms of diabetes?
Only a doctor can determine whether you have the disease or not. The diagnosis is made by a laboratory test of blood sugar levels. And because levels vary significantly, even over the course of a single day, the test is usually repeated for greater accuracy.
The Importance of Diet in Diabetes
It is extremely important for people with diabetes to be mindful of their diet. This is particularly important for patients with type 2 diabetes, but it also applies to those with type 1 diabetes. In both cases, sudden spikes in blood sugar levels should be avoided, which means avoiding sweets and all other quick-release carbohydrates.
Vegetables are extremely beneficial for people with diabetes. As for starchy foods, they are essential, but portion sizes must be controlled. All these seemingly sacrifices are very important and, over time, it is entirely possible for them to become healthy habits. With an optimal diet and regular exercise, patients can minimise the risks of diabetes complications – damage to the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. (2) Favio
Forte multivitamins also help to supplement nutritional deficiencies in people with diabetes. In addition to meeting daily requirements for vitamins and minerals, Favio Forte reduces the fatigue associated with diabetes. The special combination of multivitamins supplies the body with antioxidants, while the extract of the herb gymnema helps to suppress the appetite for sweet foods.
Don’t forget!
To a large extent, it is in your hands to minimise the risk of diabetes. Even if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, exercise and a proper diet will improve your condition and help you avoid serious complications from diabetes.
Nine out of ten people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. At the same time, people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes can improve their prognosis by losing just 5% to 7% of their body weight. (3)
Sources:
1 – https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes
2 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4512138/
3 – https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/health-risks
