Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes disrupts your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar (glucose), a vital energy source for your cells. There are two main types: type 1 and type 2. While the underlying cause differs, both can lead to a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, causing a range of symptoms.

Here’s a breakdown of common diabetes symptoms, keeping in mind that their severity and presence can vary:

• Increased Thirst (Polydipsia):
  Our bodies constantly strive for a balanced water content. When blood sugar is high, the kidneys try to flush out excess glucose through urine, pulling water along the way. This leaves you feeling dehydrated and constantly thirsty.

• Frequent Urination (Polyuria): As the kidneys work overtime to eliminate excess glucose, you may find yourself needing to urinate more often, especially at night. This frequent urination can disrupt sleep and leave you feeling tired.
• Excessive Hunger (Polyphagia): Despite consuming enough calories, you might experience persistent hunger pangs. This happens because your cells are starved for energy due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance. The body signals hunger to compensate, even though there’s enough glucose in the bloodstream – it just can’t get into the cells effectively.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Even though you might be eating more due to increased hunger, you may experience weight loss. This is because your body is unable to use glucose effectively for energy and starts breaking down muscle and fat tissues for fuel.
• Fatigue and Lethargy: When your cells are deprived of glucose, their primary energy source, it can lead to fatigue, tiredness, and a lack of energy for daily activities. You might feel sluggish and have difficulty concentrating.
• Blurred Vision: High blood sugar levels can affect the lenses in your eyes, causing them to swell and change shape. This distorts your vision, making things appear blurry or foggy.
• Slow-Healing Sores: Diabetes can impair blood circulation and nerve function, which can slow down the healing process of cuts, wounds, and ulcers. These can take longer to heal and increase the risk of infection.
• Frequent Infections: High blood sugar weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to various infections, including skin infections, fungal infections, and urinary tract infections.

Additional Symptoms:

In some cases, you might experience other symptoms like:

• Dry mouth
• Skin itchiness
• Yeast infections
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Erectile dysfunction (in men)

Remember: These symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any of these, it’s crucial to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Early detection and management of diabetes are essential to prevent complications.

About The Author

Eng. Philemon

Hello! I’m Philemon Kimutai, a chemical engineering student at Dedan Kimathi University with a passion for both science and agriculture. When I’m not diving into thermodynamics or reactor design, you can find me sharing recipes on my website, Mkulima Plus.
My journey in web development led me to create this recipe site, combining my love for cooking with my technical skills. As someone who values sustainable practices, I strive to share recipes that are not only delicious but also environmentally conscious.
In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes, writing articles, and working on innovative projects that blend my engineering background with my interest in food and agriculture.
Join me on this culinary adventure as we explore tasty dishes and learn about the science behind our favorite foods!

See author's posts