According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 9% of Americans have diabetes. Diabetes is becoming more widespread in the United States, with 1.5 million people diagnosed each year. San Pedro diabetes can be controlled with medication, exercise, and diet to assist you in leading a normal, healthy life. However, identifying the early warning signs of this condition can assist you in avoiding potential complications, including stroke and heart failure. If you suspect you have diabetes, here are some of the signs to look out for:
1) Constant Urination
If you have high blood sugar, your kidneys release excessive blood sugar. As a result, you urinate more often. Constant urination that is pressing enough that you need to wake in your sleep and head to the washroom should not be ignored.
2) Heightened Thirst
Constant urination caused by the kidneys overworking will drain valuable fluids from your body tissues. As such, you will feel thirsty every time, regardless of how much you hydrate.
3) Hazy Vision
The small blood vessels in the eye could be damaged by high blood sugar, culminating in a bulging lens and blurred vision. As your body’s blood sugar levels fluctuate, your vision might worsen or resume normalcy.
4) Fatigue
If your blood sugar level is high, your body functions overtime to eliminate the sugar. This action not only damages your body but also changes the way your body metabolizes glucose into energy. One of the symptoms of Hyperglycemia, or dangerously high blood sugar, is fatigue. In addition, the dehydration that results from constant urination is a prominent reason for fatigue in people with diabetes.
5) Heightened Hunger
If you have high blood sugar, your body tries all it can to eliminate it. You might experience heightened hunger due to your body expelling lots of glucose that is obtained from your food.
6) Unexpected Weight loss
You are losing your main energy source when you release surplus glucose. Once your body ineffectively metabolizes glucose for energy, it begins burning muscle and fat, resulting in unexplained weight loss. Unexpected weight loss is deemed substantial at 10 pounds or 5% of total body weight.
7) Skin Discoloration
Insulin resistance could result in black spots on your skin (acanthosis nigricans) appearing in the creases of your neck, groin, or underarm area. The texture of this tanned skin might be elevated and silky.
8) Slow Healing Wounds And Cuts
The same way afflicted eye tissue causes hazy vision, afflicted blood vessels cause poor blood circulation. Thus, blood finds it harder to reach a damaged region, resulting in minor wounds or cuts taking weeks or months to recuperate. These sluggish-healing wounds or cuts are vulnerable to infection, heightening the danger of amputation.
9) Numbness Or Tingling In The Feet Or Hands
Increased blood sugar levels can take a toll on your nerves. This effect can trigger numbness or tingling, which could progress to pain or neuropathy with time.
10) Yeast Infections
Yeast thrives in an environment where there is too much sugar in your blood and urine. The additional sugar in the genitals, as well as the armpits and mouth, could act as ideal harboring grounds for yeast. Keeping your blood sugar in check can help you avoid developing yeast infections.
If you notice any of the abovementioned symptoms, you should not hesitate to see a specialist. At Harbor Community Health Centers, the experts understand how to identify diabetes early and perform the necessary tests to confirm your diagnosis. Once an accurate diagnosis is determined, they can develop a bespoke care plan for you. Call the office or request an appointment online to get started.