The most reliable diabetic symptom for diagnosis is high blood
sugar levels caused either by decreased insulin production (Type I
diabetes), or by the body developing a resistance to
insulin (Type II
diabetes). Though high blood sugar is a reliable diabetic symptom when
diagnosing the disease, it can often be hard to detect directly. More
diagnostic are diabetic symptoms that are side effects of high blood
sugar that can act as an indicator to the underlying diabetic symptom,
and serve as an early warning to the patient that he or she should get
tested for diabetes before the diabetic symptoms worsen into more
serious conditions.
Excessive thirst is an early diabetic symptom,
especially when there is no obvious cause, such as exercise, hot
weather, or other illnesses. Another diabetic symptom is excessive
hunger, even when consuming normal amounts of food. Frequent urination
is also an early diabetic symptom, and most often manifests itself as
frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. Fatigue after meals is
another early diabetic symptom. Finally, rapid weight loss without
explanation, or any dramatic weight change can also be an early diabetic
symptom.
Though these diabetic symptoms can also be related to
other medical conditions, patients should be tested for diabetes if any
of these diabetic symptoms persist for an extended period of time.
Testing for diabetes is a simple procedure, and if these diabetic
symptoms are not recognized early on, the disease can progress
untreated, potentially leading to more severe diabetic symptoms.
In
some cases where early diabetic symptoms are left untreated,
neurological diabetic symptoms may develop, such as: blurred vision due
to macular degeneration, which can eventually lead to blindness;
numbness in the extremities due to peripheral neuropathy; slow-healing
wounds and/or persistent and recurring yeast infections in women due to a
suppressed immune system; and dry, itchy skin due to diminished sweat
gland function as a result of peripheral neuropathy.
If you or
anyone you know is chronically affected by any of these diabetic
symptoms, they could be suffering from untreated diabetes and should see
a doctor immediately. If left untreated these diabetic symptoms could
progress into more serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.
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