Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get from your blood into your cells. Without insulin, your blood sugar levels can get too high. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It is a chronic condition in which your body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use insulin well. This also causes your blood sugar levels to get too high.
Diabetes can cause a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of diabetes so that you can get diagnosed and treated early. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent or delay the complications of diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on the type of diabetes you have and how well your blood sugar is controlled. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
how do you know if you have diabetes
Here are 8 important points to help you recognize the signs and symptoms of diabetes:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Unintended weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can help prevent or delay serious health complications.
Increased thirst
One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is increased thirst. This is because when your blood sugar is high, your body tries to get rid of the excess sugar by producing more urine. This can lead to dehydration, which can make you feel thirsty.
In addition, diabetes can also damage the nerves that control your thirst mechanism. This can also lead to increased thirst, even if your blood sugar is not high.
If you are experiencing increased thirst, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you are also experiencing other symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
There are a few things you can do to help manage your thirst if you have diabetes:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty.
- Avoid sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks.
- Choose healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, and yogurt.
- Talk to your doctor about medications that can help control your blood sugar levels.
If you are experiencing increased thirst, it is important to see your doctor right away to rule out diabetes and other underlying medical conditions.
Frequent urination
Another common symptom of diabetes is frequent urination. This is because when your blood sugar is high, your body tries to get rid of the excess sugar by producing more urine. This can lead to having to urinate more often than usual, even at night.
- Increased urine volume: When you have diabetes, your body produces more urine to try to get rid of the excess sugar in your blood. This can cause you to urinate more frequently and in larger amounts than usual.
- Nocturia: Nocturia is the medical term for having to wake up at night to urinate. This is a common symptom of diabetes because the increased urine production can disrupt your sleep.
- Urgency: Diabetes can also cause a sudden and urgent need to urinate. This is because the high blood sugar levels can irritate the bladder and urethra, which can lead to spasms and an urgent need to urinate.
- Incontinence: In some cases, diabetes can also lead to incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urine. This is because the high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves that control the bladder, which can lead to problems with bladder control.
If you are experiencing frequent urination, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you are also experiencing other symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
Increased hunger
Another common symptom of diabetes is increased hunger. This is because when your blood sugar is high, your body cannot use glucose for energy as efficiently. This can lead to feelings of hunger, even after you have eaten.
- Polyphagia: Polyphagia is the medical term for increased hunger. This is a common symptom of diabetes because the body is unable to use glucose for energy efficiently, which leads to feelings of hunger.
- Feeling hungry soon after eating: If you have diabetes, you may feel hungry again soon after eating, even if you have eaten a large meal. This is because your body is not able to use the glucose from the food you have eaten, so it is still looking for more energy.
- Increased appetite for sugary foods: People with diabetes may also have an increased appetite for sugary foods. This is because the body is trying to get the glucose it needs for energy, and sugary foods are a quick source of glucose.
- Weight loss: Despite eating more, people with diabetes may experience weight loss. This is because the body is breaking down muscle and fat for energy, instead of using glucose.
If you are experiencing increased hunger, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you are also experiencing other symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
Unintended weight loss
Unintended weight loss is another common symptom of diabetes. This is because when your blood sugar is high, your body cannot use glucose for energy as efficiently. This can lead to your body breaking down muscle and fat for energy, which can cause weight loss.
Other factors that can contribute to unintended weight loss in people with diabetes include:
- Increased urination: Frequent urination can lead to dehydration, which can also cause weight loss.
- Increased thirst: Drinking a lot of fluids can help to flush out excess sugar from the blood, but it can also lead to weight loss if you are not also eating enough calories.
- Poor appetite: Some people with diabetes may experience a loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
- Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms of diabetes, and they can also lead to weight loss.
If you are experiencing unintended weight loss, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you are also experiencing other symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
Unintended weight loss can be a serious symptom of diabetes, and it is important to seek medical attention right away if you are experiencing it.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, there are a number of things you can do to manage your weight, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Taking medication, if prescribed by your doctor
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of diabetes. This is because when your blood sugar is high, your body cannot use glucose for energy as efficiently. This can lead to feelings of tiredness and weakness, even after you have had a good night's sleep.
Other factors that can contribute to fatigue in people with diabetes include:
- Dehydration: Frequent urination can lead to dehydration, which can also cause fatigue.
- Poor sleep: High blood sugar levels can interfere with sleep, which can also lead to fatigue.
- Nerve damage: Diabetes can damage the nerves, which can also lead to fatigue.
- Other medical conditions: People with diabetes are also more likely to have other medical conditions that can cause fatigue, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and depression.
If you are experiencing fatigue, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you are also experiencing other symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
There are a number of things you can do to manage fatigue if you have diabetes, including:
- Getting regular exercise
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing your blood sugar levels
- Talking to your doctor about other medical conditions that may be contributing to your fatigue
If you are feeling fatigued, it is important to talk to your doctor to rule out diabetes and other underlying medical conditions.
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is another common symptom of diabetes. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage can lead to swelling and leaking of the blood vessels, which can cause blurred vision.
Other factors that can contribute to blurred vision in people with diabetes include:
- Changes in the shape of the lens: High blood sugar levels can cause the lens of the eye to change shape, which can also lead to blurred vision.
- Cataracts: People with diabetes are also more likely to develop cataracts, which are clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts can also cause blurred vision.
- Glaucoma: People with diabetes are also more likely to develop glaucoma, which is a condition that damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma can also cause blurred vision.
If you are experiencing blurred vision, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you are also experiencing other symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, slow-healing sores, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
There are a number of things you can do to manage blurred vision if you have diabetes, including:
- Controlling your blood sugar levels
- Getting regular eye exams
- Wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision
- Taking medication to treat cataracts or glaucoma, if necessary
If you are experiencing blurred vision, it is important to talk to your doctor to rule out diabetes and other underlying medical conditions.
Slow-healing sores
Slow-healing sores are another common symptom of diabetes. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels, which can lead to poor circulation. Poor circulation can make it difficult for the body to heal wounds, which can lead to slow-healing sores.
Other factors that can contribute to slow-healing sores in people with diabetes include:
- Infection: People with diabetes are more likely to get infections, which can also slow down the healing process.
- Neuropathy: Nerve damage caused by diabetes can also lead to slow-healing sores. This is because the nerves are responsible for sending signals to the body to heal wounds.
- Poor blood sugar control: People with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control are more likely to have slow-healing sores.
If you have a sore that is not healing, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you have diabetes or other risk factors for slow-healing sores.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent slow-healing sores if you have diabetes, including:
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control
- Inspect your feet and other skin areas daily for any cuts, blisters, or other injuries
- Clean and dress any wounds immediately
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit well
- Avoid walking barefoot
- See your doctor right away if you have a sore that is not healing
If you have a sore that is not healing, it is important to talk to your doctor to rule out diabetes and other underlying medical conditions.
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet is another common symptom of diabetes. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves, which can lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects the nerves in the hands and feet.
Other factors that can contribute to tingling or numbness in the hands or feet in people with diabetes include:
- Poor blood sugar control: People with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control are more likely to have peripheral neuropathy.
- Long-standing diabetes: The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop peripheral neuropathy.
- Other medical conditions: People with diabetes are also more likely to have other medical conditions that can cause tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, such as kidney disease and vitamin B12 deficiency.
If you are experiencing tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if you have diabetes or other risk factors for peripheral neuropathy.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent or manage tingling or numbness in your hands or feet if you have diabetes, including:
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control
- Get regular exercise
- Eat a healthy diet
- Take medication to treat peripheral neuropathy, if necessary
If you are experiencing tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, it is important to talk to your doctor to rule out diabetes and other underlying medical conditions.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to know if you have diabetes:
Question 1: What are the most common symptoms of diabetes?
Answer 1: The most common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
Question 2: How can I tell if I have type 1 diabetes?
Answer 2: Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can come on suddenly and may include extreme thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and fruity-smelling breath.
Question 3: How can I tell if I have type 2 diabetes?
Answer 3: Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adults over the age of 40. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be mild and may go unnoticed. Some common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
Question 4: What should I do if I think I might have diabetes?
Answer 4: If you think you might have diabetes, it is important to see your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can help prevent or delay serious health complications.
Question 5: How can I prevent diabetes?
Answer 5: There is no sure way to prevent diabetes, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Question 6: How can I manage diabetes?
Answer 6: There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Treatment for diabetes may include taking medication, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.
Question 7: What are the complications of diabetes?
Answer 7: Diabetes can lead to a number of serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
Question 8: How can I live a healthy life with diabetes?
Answer 8: With proper management, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives. Some tips for living a healthy life with diabetes include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, taking medication as prescribed, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
If you have any questions about diabetes, it is important to talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can help prevent or delay serious health complications.
Here are some additional tips for preventing and managing diabetes: