According to MedlinePlus, diabetes is a chronic disease that is defined by high levels of blood sugar. This disease, often associated with problems in insulin production, is common in adults. Most food contains glucose, or sugar, which is the main source of energy for the body's cells. However, the cells cannot use glucose without insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin helps the cells take in glucose and convert it to energy. When the body doesn't make enough insulin to breakdown glucose, it eventually causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream, causing diabetes. Diabetes is a serious health illness and can lead to complications such as kidney, heart failure, blindness, and sometimes, amputation of lower extremities. The American Diabetes Association reports that common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, excessive eating, and poor wound healing.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination, or polyuria, results because the insulin cannot filter the glucose back to the blood. According to Kidshealth.org, the kidneys natural tendency is to draw water out of the blood in order to dilute the excessive amount of glucose. This keeps the bladder full, causing the diabetic to urinate frequently. When this condition persists, dehydration will eventually be experienced by the patient.
Excessive Thirst
Excessive thirst, or polydipsia, can occur because the kidneys have to exert more effort in absorbing the sugar as the blood is being filtered to make urine. The body then tries to remove excess sugar by sending brain signals to dilute blood, which is translated as thirst. This is the body's coping mechanism for the amount of water lost due to polyuria.
Excessive Eating
Excessive eating, or polyphagia, occurs because the excessive blood sugar in the body promotes more insulin production. According to the American Diabetes Association, one of the functions of insulin is to stimulate hunger; therefore, higher insulin levels lead to increased hunger and eating. Despite increased caloric intake, the person may gain very little weight and may even lose weight. The body is constantly at work, but still cannot keep up with, or equalize, the sugar level, and as such, the patient does not gain weight and will experience fatigue, as well.
Poor Wound Healing and Infection
White blood cells are prohibited from functioning normally due to high blood sugar levels. White blood cells are responsible for fighting pathogens and foreign substances from entering the body. This reduces the time for wound healing, which can allow infections to develop. High blood sugar also thickens blood vessels, preventing blood circulation to all parts of the body.
