Diabetes - Signs and Symptoms

Diabetes - The slient killer

Diabetes is often called a silent killer that affects the overall functioning of the body gravely. It gradually causes serious complications leading to heart problems, kidney damage, vision-related issues and other concerns. There are plenty of symptoms comprehending diabetes, but many of them do not show at all or get flustered with the other health issues.

by Shifa Khan

Here’s what the expert says

Dr. BM Makkar, Senior Diabetologist, President RSSDI says, “Sometimes these symptoms are so subtle that it becomes difficult to distinguish them from others. For this reason, it becomes all the more essential to be acquainted with the symptoms associated with diabetes and be able to identify the specific signals produced by your body while diabetes is unfolding inside. Many of us aren’t even aware that our body signals multiple warning signs in the morning that can help identify high blood sugar levels.”

Here are a few morning signs of diabetes

1. Dry Mouth

The most significant warning sign for diabetes in the morning is dry mouth. If you experience dry mouth or feel extremely thirsty right after waking up in the morning often, then consider it an alert to diabetes and get your blood sugar levels checked immediately.

2. Nausea

The other prominent signs and signals that trigger in the morning due to heightened blood sugar levels are nausea. It may happen as a result of complications from diabetes or other conditions. Most of the time, nausea is harmless and very momentary. It may, however, be accompanied by additional symptoms that point to a more severe diabetic problem.

3. Blurry vision

“If you get a blurry vision when you wake up in the morning, you must quickly check your blood sugar levels. Diabetes may also cause the eye lens to enlarge, which could result in hazy vision. Your eye's lens may change shape and your vision may become blurry if your blood sugar levels go from low to normal quickly. After your blood sugar levels have stabilised, your vision returns to normal,” says Dr. Makkar.

4. Numb feet

Damaged nerves can result from high blood sugar (glucose). The nerves in the legs and feet are most frequently affected by diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy symptoms can range from tingling and pain to numbness in the hands, feet, and legs, depending on which nerves are affected.

5. Fatigue

Fatigue is a typical diabetes symptom that is not only present in cases of uncontrolled diabetes. People may have a number of symptoms, including weariness, that together may indicate concomitant psychological, medical, metabolic, endocrine, and acute or chronic issues.

6. Shaky hands

Blood sugar levels below four millimoles (mmol) per litre typically result in symptoms. Feelings of hunger, shaking or shakiness, and sweating are typical early warning signals. In more extreme circumstances, you can also experience confusion and difficulties focusing.

7. Erectile dysfunction

Men with diabetes, particularly those with type 2 diabetes, frequently experience erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that is strong enough for sex. It may result from inadequate long-term blood sugar regulation, which can harm nerves and blood vessels.

8. What are a few other morning symptoms in diabetics?

If you get a feeling of disorientation, faintness, tiredness and numb feet when you wake up, it may be an alarming signal of fluctuating blood levels. These changes are very subtle in their nature and are often considered normal in general opinion. However, they are crucial to determine the presence of diabetes in your body. It is always best to take preventive measures rather than curative ones.

9. The takeaway

In order to manage a life threatening health complication like diabetes one needs to take note of these subtle signs.

You need to remember that early medical intervention is one of the sure shot ways to control the progress of such diseases.

Diabetes can be controlled with a healthy lifestyle.

by Shifa Khan