According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 7.8 percent of Americans were diagnosed with diabetes in 2007. An incurable disease, diabetes impacts the endocrine system which is responsible for regulating blood sugars and hormone regulation. The three types of diabetes are type I, II and gestational diabetes, with type II being the most common. All three types of diabetes have symptoms associated with elevated plasma, or blood, glucose levels.
Elevated Sugars Only
Prediabetes, or the stage prior to being diagnosed with diabetes, is usually an asymptomatic condition, meaning there are no outward physical symptoms but the blood is already reflective of increased sugar content. Diagnosed after fasting for 8 hours, the blood glucose levels will stay above 100 but less than 126 mg/dl, per the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. This is most frequently linked to the development of type II diabetes, which is caused by aging, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
The Three "P"s
Polyphagia, polyuria and polydispsia are known as the three "P"s of diabetes, or elevated blood glucose level symptoms. Polyphagia is a symptom of excessive hunger and reflects blood glucose levels over 125 mg/dl, notes Endocrineweb.com. Any glucose ingested is not being used properly and the body enters a state of hunger. Polyuria is the second most common sign of high blood glucose and means frequent urination (ref 2). Polyphagia, or incredible thirst, is also a sign commonly linked to elevated blood sugars and be indicative of the dehydrated state that the diabetic body is suffering (ref 2).
Poor Circulation and Wound Healing
A chronically elevated blood sugar, above 180 mg/dl, will impact the body's ability to fight infection and heal according to the website Endocrine Web. The increased blood sugars have pervaded all tissues at this point, and the elevated sugar content can lead to numbness of the hands and feet which can lead to physical injury due to loss of sensation. Sickness or stress can increase blood sugar levels, and the increased blood sugar levels destroy the immune system's ability to fight the infection. Yeast infections, itching skin and reoccurring colds are common with these elevated plasma glucose levels.
Diabetic Coma
Known as a hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse describes diabetic coma as a life-threatening complication of chronically high, or above 180 mg/dl, blood glucose levels. Chronic stress, surgery or illness can lead to a shock-like state, where weakness, dehydration, confusion and difficulties with speech will precede a coma if untreated. This coma can occur if a diabetic forgets to use her insulin or gets severely dehydrated, increasing the blood glucose levels to a toxic rate in the blood and tissues.
