Early Signs of Diabetes

A lot of the early signs of diabetes are common to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both are a result of having too much glucose or sugar in the blood and not enough in the actual cells where is needed to be transformed into energy. The difference between the two is that in type 1 diabetes the cells that produce insulin have often been destroyed whereas with type 2 diabetes insulin is still being produced however the body has formed a resistance to it therefore both types have the same basic end result being that the body is not getting an adequate supply of insulin in order to keep itself properly fueled.

One of the first things you may notice is that you are making more frequent visits to the bathroom. The is because when there is an excessive amount of glucose or sugar in the blood the kidneys try to remove liquid from the blood to dilute the glucose thus causing your bladder to be full all the time which in turn causes you to urinate excessively.

Another thing you may notice is that you are drinking an excessive amount of fluids which is often associated with frequent urination. The more you drink the more you have to go in addition to the fact that your body is trying to compensate for its lack of an adequate insulin supply by removing liquids from your tissues and blood thus leading to a feeling of dehydration. This causes you to become excessively thirsty and drink more fluids because your body feels the need to replace the liquids that are being lost.

Another of the common warning early signs of diabetes is unexplained weight loss however this symptom is seen more in cases of type 1 diabetes. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to turn sugar to fuel it looks for other energy sources and begins to break down the muscles and tissues as a source of energy thus resulting in weight loss.

When there is little or no fuel for the body there is therefore little energy for the body to draw from in order to sustain itself therefore extreme fatigue is often the result. This can lead to feeling irritable as well as very tired with an extreme lack of energy.

Neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the nerve system particularly those in the hands, legs and feet. This may cause a feeling of tingling or numbness in these areas and can happen gradually over a period of time. This condition often improves once sugar levels are regulated and maintained.

Other symptoms that may not be as noticeable or bothersome include dry or itchy skin, blurry vision, frequent infections or wounds that take longer periods of time to heal. These are also associated with excessive amounts of sugar in the blood.

It is important to know the early signs of diabetes in order to be able to detect these symptoms when and if they begin to develop. By detecting these signs a person is able to be tested and diagnosed and therefore more able to get this condition under control.