These 8 signs indicate the onset of diabetes
Diabetes is a type of autoimmune disease that is caused due to increased blood sugar levels in the body. This condition affects a vast majority of individuals, as statistics suggest that more than 100 million people worldwide have diabetes. Unfortunately, a serious autoimmune disease like diabetes is rarely caught in the initial stages despite being so widespread. This article lists eight early warning signs of diabetes that everyone should know.
- Reduced healing capabilities
Individuals who suffer from diabetes will also observe a decrease in their body’s healing capacity, as high blood sugar can affect the body’s ability to manage wear and tear. The weakened immune system finds it difficult to treat wounds. People with diabetes are also prone to high blood pressure, which can delay the healing process further. - Patches on the skin
Another common sign of diabetes is acanthosis nigricans that causes dark patches in skin folds of the armpits, neck, and groin. This patchy skin is soft to touch and does not itch. - Numbness in the body
Another early warning sign of diabetes is numbness in different parts of the body, typically termed as diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves suffer from damage due to prolonged high levels of blood sugar in the body. - Blurry vision
Individuals who suffer from diabetes will also start having trouble with their vision. High blood sugar levels can make it difficult for the lens to contract and relax, leading to unclear and blurry vision. - Feeling hungry more often
One of the most common early warning signs of diabetes is polyphagia or frequent hunger pangs. This feeling of hunger is caused due to insulin resistance in the body, which occurs when the body is unable to break down the insulin into sugar and convert it into energy. - Feeling thirsty more often
This condition is called polydipsia, and it is yet another tell-tale sign of diabetes. Dehydration caused due to diabetes can be a result of frequent urination, resulting from an increase in blood sugar levels. It can also lead to dry mouth and excessive thirst. - Frequent urination
Polyuria or frequent urination can also be experienced by people suffering from diabetes. This is because the increased levels of sugar in the body leads to an increase in the production of urine in the kidney to flush out excess sugar from the system. - Imbalanced BMI
People with diabetes undergo major fluctuations in their BMI. Although it can often be a result of frequent urination along with dehydration, both are common early warning signs of diabetes. It can also be caused due to the cell’s inability to break down glucose in the body. Frequent urination can also lead to loss of calories and essential nutrients.