What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes is a disease condition characterized by high blood sugar level, i.e. hyperglycemia. The hormone 'insulin', which is secreted by pancreas, controls the sugar metabolism of the body. High blood sugar level is either due to less production of insulin or body’s resistance to insulin and sometimes both. There are mainly three types of diabetes based on the causes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is due to failure of insulin production by the body, whereas Type 2 diabetes is the result of failure of insulin utilization by the body. Type 1 diabetes was also called juvenile diabetes, as it was earlier believed that only children suffer from this type. Gestational diabetes resembles Type 2 diabetes and occurs in pregnant women at any time during the course of pregnancy. Both hereditary and environmental factors are responsible for causing diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms

Usually, the early symptoms of diabetes are not so serious that many a times it goes unnoticed. So, very often one fails to diagnose diabetes in its early stages. Symptoms differ for each diabetes type. Let’s look into some of the commonly observed signs and symptoms of diabetes.

Frequent Urination (Polyuria): Since the glucose level in the blood increases more than the normal concentration, filtration and absorption by the kidney is incomplete. Thus, the resulted filtered liquid, which is excreted later as urine contains certain amount of sugar. This sugar increases the osmotic pressure and hampers the water absorption by the kidney, which results in frequent urination.

Increased Thirst (Polydipsia): Due to polyuria, the body losses excessive amount of fluid. It tries to compensate the fluid loss and balance the blood sugar level by consumption of more water. Thus, one experiences polydipsia.

Increased Appetite (Polyphagia): In order to lower down the blood sugar level, the body starts secreting more insulin. One of the important functions of insulin includes stimulating hunger. Thus, higher insulin level increases hunger.

Weight Loss: Weight loss is due to excessive loss of sugar and fluid due to polyuria. In addition, glucose from the digested food doesn’t reach the body cells. Patient suffering from Type 1 diabetes loses weight much faster than a patient with other types of diabetes.

Blurred Vision: Increased blood sugar level draws out fluid from the lenses due to high osmotic pressure. This results in poor focusing and hence, vision is blurred.

Increased Fatigue: Due to polyuria, patient gets dehydrated and feels tired. Also, most of the sugar from the body is excreted through urine. Thus, body experiences lack of sugar as a source of energy and simultaneously causes increased fatigue.

Increased Infection and Slow Healing: The exact cause for frequent infection and slow healing among diabetic patients has not been proved as yet. However, it is believed that the immune function of a diabetic patient is comparatively low as compared to a non-diabetic person. This may be due to presence of high sugar level in the blood, which in turn prevents the white blood cells from functioning properly.

Diabetes is one of the common chronic diseases in today’s generation. It is a very serious disease and should not ignored. Although, diabetes can be treated by providing insulin externally, it can’t be cured. Only timely diabetes treatment with correct medication, proper diet and exercise can help a patient to stay healthy and live longer. There are certain insulin resistance diets, which hampers the quick increase in blood sugar. Undergoing regular blood sugar and urine tests to detect diabetes is recommended. People who are obese, and also those having diabetes in their family history should be more careful.