Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

The most important symptom of Diabetes (or diabetes mellitus) is the increase of blood sugar levels in the body. There are two types of Diabetes. Type I is insulin dependant and this is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate the levels of blood sugar in the body. Type II is not insulin dependant and this is caused by the increase in the body’s resistance to insulin which renders the body incapable of using the insulin it produces to regulate the blood sugar levels.

These are manifested in a variety of symptoms. Given below is a list of common symptoms of diabetes (both for Type I and Type II).

• One of the major diabetes symptoms is thirst. You feel thirsty all the time, and this thirst is not related to hot weather, or any other illness or even exercise.
• Also one of the important signs of diabetes is feeling tired or ill at all times. This often manifests in you feeling sleepy after meals.
• Another one of the symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination. You may be getting up at night often, just to go to the bathroom.
• Sudden loss of weight is also an important symptom of diabetes.
• Being prone to fungal or bacterial infections, skin infections or urinary tract infection is also an important symptom of diabetes. This is because the immune system has become weak. This may also manifest in the form of constant vaginal yeast infections in women.
• When you have a wound which does not heal quickly it can be considered a sign of diabetes. This is because increase of blood sugar causes a reduction of the production of white blood cells which form part of our body’s immune system.
• You may also experience constant numbness in the feet or the legs. This is also one of the signs of diabetes.

If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms of diabetes, please consult your doctor immediately. Like the old adage goes, ‘Better to be Safe than to be Sorry’.