6 Facts That You Didn’t Know About Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting over 34 million people in the United States alone. It’s caused by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood, leading to serious complications and even premature death if it’s not managed properly.

While most people are aware of the common symptoms of diabetes such as frequent urination, extreme thirst, and increased appetite, other lesser-known signs may indicate you have this condition.

Here are six facts about diabetes symptoms that you should know about.

Feeling chronically tired

People with this condition can experience severe exhaustion even after getting a good night’s sleep—because their body isn’t able to process glucose efficiently, which can lead to feelings of fatigue. If you’re constantly exhausted, it may be worth speaking to your doctor and getting tested for diabetes.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it may be helpful to keep track of your energy levels throughout the day. Chronic fatigue can be one of the most frustrating symptoms of this condition and tracking your sleep patterns and food intake that lower blood sugar might reveal patterns that could help you better manage your symptoms. Usually aiming for a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help reduce fatigue caused by diabetes.

Sudden and unexplained weight loss

Unexplained weight is another common sign of diabetes that many people don’t realize. If your body isn’t using glucose effectively, it will start breaking down stored fat as an alternative source of energy, which can lead to rapid weight loss.

However, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important to make sure your weight loss is healthy. Don’t turn to crash dieting as a way to try and lose weight quickly—this can make it harder for your body to process glucose correctly. It is sometimes necessary to adjust your diabetes treatment plan to help your body function correctly and keep your weight at a healthy level.

Itchy skin or frequent infections

High glucose levels in the blood can lower your immune system’s ability to fight off infections and make it harder for wounds to heal properly. This means that people with diabetes may experience more frequent skin infections and sores, as well as itchy skin.

Furthermore, diabetic neuropathy—a complication of diabetes where the nerves are damaged—can cause intense itching, burning sensations, and a decrease in sensation. If you’re experiencing any unusual skin symptoms, it’s important to speak with your doctor for advice about managing them.

Blurry vision

High blood sugar levels can cause several vision issues including blurry vision, difficulty focusing, and spots or floaters in your field of view. In some cases, diabetes can lead to more serious eye problems such as glaucoma or retinopathy.

If you’re experiencing any odd changes in your vision, it’s important to speak to a doctor and get tested for diabetes. Furthermore, eye tests are an important part of routine diabetes management, so check your eyes regularly.

Slow healing time for cuts and bruises

Due to the way diabetes affects blood circulation, people with this condition may find that cuts and bruises take longer to heal than normal. Poor circulation can also cause numbness or tingling in your hands and feet as well as slow nail growth.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, make sure you always take extra care to protect your hands and feet from damage. Wear protective shoes and gloves when necessary, keep your nails trimmed properly, and take regular breaks so that you don’t overwork yourself and increase the chances of harming yourself.

Feeling hungrier than usual

People experiencing high blood sugar levels may find themselves incredibly hungry, even after eating a full meal. This is because their body isn’t able to process the glucose in food properly and so it signals to the brain that it is still hungry for energy.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, managing your hunger pangs can be tough—it’s important to stick to a healthy diet and only eat when you’re really hungry. Eating too much can make it harder for your body to break down glucose effectively and could lead to further health issues. The rule of thumb is to listen to your body’s signals and eat only when you feel truly hungry.

Diabetes is a complex condition that can cause many different symptoms. While some of these, such as fatigue and sudden weight loss, may be more commonly known signs of diabetes, others – such as itchy skin or slow healing time for cuts and bruises – are less widely recognized.

Additionally, feeling hungrier than usual and blurred vision are also common indicators of this metabolic disorder. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms on an ongoing basis, make sure to speak with your doctor so they can guide how best to manage them.

With the right treatment plan in place, living well with diabetes is possible!