1. Routine Blood Tests Are Key
Diabetes is a disease that many people may not know they have, because the symptoms are sometimes masked or thought of as minor. Routine blood work gives doctors a tool to see if further testing for diabetes is necessary. When a chemistry panel is done on any blood sample, a blood sugar level is included. If a doctor sees this is elevated, he may order more extensive testing. Raised blood sugar level is a symptom of diabetes that is only detected by testing in a lab.
2. Water In, Water Out
Frequent trips to the bathroom and unquenchable thirst are symptoms of diabetes. Insulin works with the kidneys to substance glucose levels in the blood. When there is no insulin, the kidneys try to pull excess water out of the system to dilute the glucose. This results in frequent trips to the bathroom and also gives the body a constant need to rehydrate.
3. Tired All the Time
A common sign of many diseases is feeling tired all the time. While fatigue is a common symptom of many diseases, such as stress or insomnia, it can also be a sign of diabetes. Glucose provides energy for body cells. Diabetics do not process glucose as they should, resulting in a shortage of energy. Feeling tired and fatigued all the time is an indicator that you may need to be tested for diabetes.
4. Weight Loss Without Effort
Many obese people suffer from type 2 diabetes and are encouraged to lose weight to help lessen their symptoms. While not as noticeable in larger individuals, loss of weight without trying can be a sign of diabetes. The body is not efficiently changing glucose into energy. It looks for other sources and starts to break down fat and muscle for the energy it needs.
5. Keep Insulin Levels In Check
Irritability, blurry vision, tingling in the hands and feet and constant hunger are symptoms of diabetes, due to the body's inefficiency to process glucose. If your body does not have the insulin levels it should or the insulin is not performing as it should, these symptoms may worsen. These levels also affect the body's ability to heal from wounds, making recovery times longer.
