Diabetes - the "silent killer of the modern age", is a chronic disease that is manifested by an increase in blood sugar levels due to insulin secretion disorders. It arises as a consequence of the stress of modern life because insulin reacts to stress hormones, improper nutrition, increased body weight. This disease got its name "silent killer" because its symptoms are often hidden and difficult to notice, most often when the disease is already advanced.
What is diabetes?
As food is digested, it is broken down into glucose (sugar), which creates energy and power for our cells. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, transports glucose from the blood to the rest of the body's cells. However, if there is not enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly, then glucose remains in the blood vessels causing blood sugar levels to rise. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 is characterized by the fact that the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin and usually this case is characteristic of children, teenagers and the younger population. Gestational diabetes usually appears towards the end of pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. The most common form of diabetes is type 2, which can be caused by excess body weight, physical inactivity, genetic predisposition, gestational (pregnancy) diabetes in the past, high blood pressure, reduced "good" cholesterol or high triglyceride levels.
Like any other disease, diabetes can cause a number of complications if not detected in time. Problems can occur anywhere, from the eyes, kidneys, nerves to reproductive organs, blood vessels and gums. But the most serious problem is heart disease and the risk of stroke. Because of all this, it is very important that you recognize it as soon as possible.
1. Constant feeling of fatigue
Unlike healthy people, in whom sugar penetrates the cells and is converted into energy, in diabetics it remains in the blood. The result is a lack of energy despite consuming food. One of the typical symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes is extreme fatigue that occurs even when you are rested and sleepy.
2. Extreme thirst and frequent urination
If you notice an increased feeling of thirst that is not caused by a specific reason, and which results in frequent trips to the toilet, this may be a sign that you have diabetes. Pay particular attention if your child drinks a lot of fluids and urinates often, as this is one of the first and most obvious signs that your child has this disease. This symptom can also be accompanied by a feeling of dry, parched mouth.
3. Sudden weight loss
If you are not on a diet and do not take special care of your diet, and you are not physically more active than before, but you notice that you are suddenly losing weight, this may be one of the symptoms of diabetes. Too high a level of sugar in the blood can cause sudden weight loss, even 5 to 10 kilograms in two to three months, which is certainly not common unless there is a special reason for it. The hormone insulin, namely, in the event of diabetes, cannot feed glucose, and it remains in the blood, which is why the body thinks it is hungry and begins to consume proteins from the muscles as an alternative source of energy.
4. Increased hunger
An excessive need for food is another sign of diabetes, and it is caused by changes in sugar levels. When the sugar level drops, the feeling of hunger and the need for glucose as a source of energy appear.
5. Blurred vision
Symptoms can sometimes include vision problems as high blood sugar draws fluid from tissues, including the eyes. If left untreated, diabetes can cause permanent vision damage, so if you notice that your vision is blurring, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.
6. Sensitive gums
Diabetes can weaken the ability to fight bacteria, increasing the risk of gum infection. Also, inflammation of the gums accompanied by pus can occur, especially if you already had gum infections before diabetes appeared.
8. Tingling in the feet and hands
Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. In this case, the tingling occurs first in both feet, and then the unpleasant feeling spreads through the entire legs, and the same feeling is also present in the hands along with the other symptoms we mentioned. As many as two-thirds of people with diabetes have moderate to severe nerve damage, and in many cases this is precisely the first symptom of diabetes.
9. Slow wound healing and infection
Itching, dry skin or poor circulation can also be signs of diabetes. Darker skin on the neck or underarms can be a sign of the body's resistance to insulin and high blood sugar. If you notice these changes, be sure to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Also, if you notice that you have frequent infections and injuries that are difficult to heal and are not treated as easily as before, or even small scratches, it is possible that you have diabetes, so see a doctor as soon as possible, reports Beauty and Health.
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