Diabetes Symptoms

Fatigue

In diabetes, the body can no longer use glucose (blood sugar), the major fuel of the body effectively. The most obvious symptoms of this are fatigue and a constant feeling of being tired.

Unexplained Weight Loss & Weight Gain

As diabetes develops, the ability to process many of the calories from foods diminishes. You may lose weight even though you consume ample portions of food. The loss of sugar and water in the urine, and the accompanying dehydration also contributes to weight loss.

For most people they gain weight as the unused glucose is stored as body fat, particularly around the abdomen.

Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)

As diabetes develops blood sugar levels become elevated. The body tries to counteract this by sending a signal to the brain to dilute the blood, which translates into thirst. This encourages more water consumption as a means to dilute the high blood sugar back to normal levels and to compensate for the water lost by excessive urination.

Excessive Urination (Polyuria)

Another way the body tries to get rid of the extra sugar in the blood is to excrete it in the urine. This can also lead to dehydration as the sugar carries a large amount of water out of the body along with it.

Excessive Eating (Polyphagia)

If the body is able, it will secrete more insulin in order to try to deal with the excessive blood sugar levels. One of the functions of insulin is to stimulate hunger. Therefore, higher insulin levels leads to increased hunger and eating.

Poor Wound Healing

High blood sugar levels prevent white blood cells, which are important in defending the body against bacteria and also in cleaning up dead tissue and cells, from functioning normally. When this occurs wounds take much longer to heal and become infected more frequently. Also, long standing diabetes is associated with a thickening of blood vessels, which impairs circulation and the ability of the tissues to receive enough oxygen and nutrients.

Infections

Yeast infections of the genitals, skin infections and frequent urinary tract infections, may result from suppression of the immune system and by the presence of glucose in the tissues. High glucose levels provide an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to grow.

Altered Mental States

Agitation, unexplained irritability, inattention, extreme fatigue or confusion can all be signs of very high blood sugar, ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia nonketotic syndrome or hypoglycaemia (low sugar). These may require urgent medical attention.

Blurry vision

Blurry vision is frequently present with high blood sugar levels. It is not specifically associated with diabetes. For example, blurry vision may be due to eye strain experienced with prolonged computer use. Other factors should be excluded before assuming the change in vision is due to high glucose levels.

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