Common Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious, chronic condition, one that affects over 150 million people in the world today. In many cases persons with diabetes may not realize they have it, especially if they ignore the diabetes symptom the body is giving them.

One of the most common diabetes symptom is the need for frequent urination. Which in medical terms means Polyuria Excess sugar in the body is excreted through kidneys. So glucose that is filtered draws water from tissues. This causes frequent urination. Diabetics wake up in the nights more than normal 1 or 2 times.

Another symptom known as Polydipsia where high blood sugar levels stimulates brain thirst centers so to take intake of water. Same time there is frequent urination, further depleting the body from water which also stimulates thirst.

Though there are high levels of glucose in blood it is not utilized by body and person always feel hunger. Though there is increased food intake, person may gain very little weight. Sometimes he or she loses weight because they are unable to utilize the calories in food and loss of glucose and water in urine. In type 1 diabetics, they use fat as their energy supply so they lose weight.This symptom is known as Polyphagia

Another common symptom is Fatigue. Body is unable to use glucose in proper way because of the lack of insulin. Insulin pushes glucose in to cells where it is used as fuel. So low glucose in the cells and body lacks energy source leading to fatigue.

There are few conditions that affect the CNS causing irritability, altered mental status, confusion, convulsions etc. These are severe hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar nonketotic coma (HONK), hyperglycemia etc. These are medical emergencies and patient needs immediate medical attention.

Blurry vision can also be a result of high glucose level. High blood glucose causes osmotic changes in the lens (reversible) leading to blurred vision. Other affects are cataracts, glaucoma, proliferative retinopathy etc leading to loss of vision.

Numbness and tingling happen in the extremities of Diabetes. Here symptoms consists of pain, numbness and tingling which are typically worst at night. Hands are less commonly involved. These sensory symptoms produce ’stocking and glove’ type sensory loss. Complications include unrecognized trauma due to loss of sensations leading to ulcerations.

Blood vessels get thickened in diabetics that impairs circulation and wound healing. High blood sugar levels impairs natural defending processes and slows wound healing.

High blood sugar levels impairs function of polymorpho nuclear leukocytes which fight against germs that harm our body. This increases the risk of infections especially urinary tract and skin. In women vaginal infections are also common.

Foot problems are major cause of morbidity in diabetics. Increased risk of infections, slow wound healing, impaired sensations due to neuropathy will contribute to tissue damage. Patients should be educated to take are of their feet with well fitting shoes, careful inspection of feet every day, keeping them clean, approach their doctor if there is any small non healing abrasions or wounds.

Other symptoms depend on the organ affected, like urinary symptoms in nephritic syndrome, gingivitis, fever etc.