Early Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, characterized by an increased sugar level in the blood. It is caused due to abnormal metabolism of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin regulates the metabolic process of sugar in the body. It induces the body cells to take up glucose from the blood, for using it as a source of energy. The function of insulin is disturbed in a diabetic patient. Hence, sugar remains in the blood, resulting in high blood glucose level or hyperglycemia. It is estimated that about 7.8 % of the population in the United States suffers from diabetes. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death, after cancer and heart disease.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is classified into three major types, depending upon their causes, namely, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused due to damage of the beta cells of pancreas, which results in little or no production of insulin. Previously, it was thought to affect a person only in childhood and hence, is referred to as juvenile diabetes or childhood diabetes. Since, a patient of Type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections daily, it is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is known as insulin-independent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. It is the most common type of diabetes, accounting to about 90-95% of all the cases. In Type 2 diabetes, either the body cells do not respond properly to insulin or there is abnormal secretion of insulin. It is often associated with obesity, high cholesterol and a less active lifestyle.

Gestational diabetes is similar to Type 2 diabetes and occurs in pregnant women. It is caused either due to hormonal changes or shortage of insulin during pregnancy. Usually, the sugar level becomes normal after the birth of the baby. In case, the symptoms persist then there is a high chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Early Signs of Diabetes

The early signs of diabetes are often confused with symptoms of other health problems. There are a few symptoms of diabetes in the early stages; hence, about one-third of the people who have diabetes are not aware that they suffer from the disease. Let's look into some of the early signs of diabetes.

• A common sign of diabetes in its early stages is frequent urination (polyuria). Since the glucose in the blood increases above the normal level, filtration by the kidney is incomplete. This also hampers the water absorption by the kidney, resulting in frequent urination.
• Due to increase in the frequency of urination, the body losses excessive fluid. Ultimately, it becomes dehydrated and causes increased thirst (polydipsia).
• Another early sign of diabetes is increased appetite. One of the functions of insulin is stimulating hunger. Since, the body secretes more insulin to lower the blood glucose, it experiences increased hunger (polyphagia).
• A patient of diabetes suffers from weight loss due to excessive loss of sugar in the urine. The body starts using muscular proteins and fats as its source of energy, resulting in weight loss.
• As the body cells are deprived of the main energy source - glucose, the patient suffers from increased fatigue. Physical ability is lowered and the patient gets tired very easily.
• Increase in the blood sugar levels leads to change in the shape of the eye lenses. This results in poor focusing and blurred vision.
• A diabetic patient suffers from frequent yeast and skin infections.

In addition, it has been found that the immune system of a diabetic patient is low, as compared to a healthy person. This may be due to the presence of high glucose in the blood, which hampers the proper functioning of the white blood cells (leucocytes). Thus, the overall defense mechanism of the body gets disturbed and the person experiences frequent infection and slow healing.

In case, a person experiences any of these symptoms, he/she should go for blood glucose test. It is advisable to consult and seek advice from a health specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney disease and kidney failure.