Health
Watch the video, If you're too lazy to read
Watch the video, If you're too lazy to read
According to statistics, about 400 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes mellitus. But given the fact that this chronic disease can occur in a latent form for a long time, we can say that the real number of diabetics is 2 to 3 times higher than the above figure.
That is why diabetes mellitus is called the “silent killer”, because while you are living a normal life, regardless of mild fatigue, skin condition or unexplained thirst, diabetes is quiet and gradual It destroys your body from within.
The fact is that high blood sugar levels disrupt carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, which leads to damage to the skin, vision, kidneys, nervous system, oral cavity and other vital ones organs.
Let's talk about early symptoms of diabetes mellitus that should not be ignored!
1. Frequent urination
In healthy people, 6 to 7 (up to 10) acts of urination per day are considered normal.
In diabetes mellitus, glucose uptake slows down, which leads to an increase in its content in the blood. As a result, the kidneys begin to work with a vengeance to remove excess glucose in the urine, which leads to frequent and abundant urination.
Therefore, if you go to the bathroom more than 10 times a day, and urination increases at night, check your body's sugar level.
2. Unquenchable thirst
Frequent urination leads to dehydration, which is why a diabetic patient is constantly thirsty (he can drink up to 5 liters of water per day).
In addition, diabetes may cause dryness and a taste of metal in the oral cavity.
It's important!
Quenching your thirst with sweet sparkling water or juices only exacerbates the situation, as blood sugar rises even more, which provokes increased thirst.
Read also: 20 rules for a traveling diabetic
3. Severe hunger
Glucose is the body's main source of energy. In diabetes mellitus, cells do not absorb glucose, which leads to hunger at the cellular level and the search for other sources of energy.
This source is most often carbohydrates, which are found in large quantities in sweets.
BUT! An increase in the amount of food consumed increases blood sugar levels, as a result of which the feeling of hunger does not go away even after eating.
To break this vicious circle, you need to eat fractionally and in small portions.
4. Chronic fatigue
In diabetes mellitus, insulin is unable to deliver glucose to cells, as a result of which the body is seriously deficient in oxygen, calories and nutrients necessary to maintain energy.
Frequent nocturnal urination is also exhausting, which deprives a person of proper rest.
The result:
tiredness, weakness and “weakness” in the morning, not to mention a decrease in working capacity.
Ignoring these symptoms can lead not only to physical but also to psychoemotional exhaustion, irritability and depression!
5. Visual impairment
When blood glucose levels are elevated, retinal oxygen starvation, lens swelling and capillary damage occur, which adversely affects the quality of vision.
If you notice that your vision has lost clarity, objects have become blurry, the image seems to be shrouded in fog, and it is generally difficult to focus on details, this may indicate a high blood sugar levels.
It is important that stabilizing blood sugar will restore vision to levels preceding diabetes mellitus.
The absence of treatment in this case is fraught with the development of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, which can cause blindness.
6. Weight loss and gain
Have you lost weight drastically or, on the contrary, have you gained weight for no apparent reason? This may indicate that your body's sugar levels are high.
Rapid loss of kilograms is observed in type 1 diabetes, characterized by absolute insulin deficiency.
In type 1 diabetes, a person without any diet and physical activity can easily lose from 5 to 10 kg in 2 to 3 months, due to several reasons:
dehydration due to frequent urination, insulin
compensation with proteins contained in muscles and used by the body as an alternative source of energy.
In type 2 diabetes, a person gains weight dramatically, as the body's own insulin, which is present in excess, stimulates fat storage.
In any case, sudden changes in weight should alert you and be a reason to see a doctor.
7. Itchy and dry skin
High blood sugar levels impair the function of the sebaceous and sweat glands, which leads to dryness and sensitivity of the skin.
In addition, the skin's protective barrier decreases, making it more susceptible to the negative effects of infections, allergens and toxins.
Even if your groin, abdomen, elbows and crotch area itch while using moisturizers, this may indicate diabetes mellitus.
Read also: Asparagus will help fight diabetes
8. Slow wound healing
In diabetes mellitus, artery walls thicken and blood vessels narrow, thereby disrupting blood circulation and causing oxygen starvation of cells and tissues, which, combined with low immunity significantly slows down the wound healing process.
9. Dark spots on the skin
The high insulin content in the blood provokes the rapid reproduction of cells, which causes the skin to darken, which acquires a velvety texture.
Most often, the skin darkens in the neck, armpits, groin, on the knuckles and the inner side of the elbow.
This pigmentation is a sign of diabetes and prediabetes.
10. Diabetic dermatopathy
Diabetic dermatopathy is rightfully considered one of the most common manifestations of diabetes mellitus.
In this pathology, brown papules form on the front surface of the shin, which can reach 5 to 12 mm in diameter. Subsequently, papules are transformed into pigmented, painless atrophic spots that disappear without any specific treatment after 1 to 2 years.
11. Fungal infection
Diabetes mellitus reduces immunity, as a result of which the body is susceptible to various kinds of infections, and the genitourinary system is especially affected.
The skin is mainly affected by fungi of the genus Candida albicans, and elderly people who are overweight are most prone to the effects of this fungus. The infection is localized in large folds of the skin, in the interdigital region, on the genital mucosa.
Initially, a white strip forms in the fold, which is a keratinized layer of skin, after which blue-red cracks and erosions appear that are difficult to treat. The situation is aggravated by unbearable itching, which torments both day and night.
Therefore, when the first symptoms of candidiasis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, which will help stop the process at an early stage.
Also read: 12 common myths about diabetes
12. Dental problems
Candida yeast fungi affect not only the skin, but also the oral mucosa, which is why diabetes mellitus often develops gum diseases such as stomatitis and periodontal disease.
13. Numbness, pain, and tingling in the arms or legs
Poor blood circulation has a negative effect on nerve impulses. And since the hands and lower limbs are located farthest from the heart, they are the ones who suffer first.
If your arms and legs become numb, and you regularly suffer from aching pain and tingling in your limbs, take a blood test for sugar.
If you find one or more of these symptoms, immediately visit an endocrinologist or therapist!
Remember that early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and keeping blood sugar levels within normal limits can prolong life!