Understanding Diabetes: 10 Warning Signs and Symptoms You Can’t Ignore
Diabetes is a severe condition that can cause many problems in the body. It can be a complicated disease to understand. Knowing how diabetes affects the body and how it can be managed is important.
The human body needs glucose for energy, which is produced by the breakdown of carbs in food. When someone has diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin that they do produce doesn’t work properly.
This causes blood sugar levels to rise too high, which can lead to serious health problems if not managed correctly. The key is to find a healthy balance between what you eat and when you eat it so that your blood sugar levels are at a healthy level most of the time.
What is Diabetes? and Understanding Diabetes
It’s important to know how your body normally uses glucose.
How does insulin work
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps the body process sugar from carbohydrates and break down fat for energy. The pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream, and it circulates, letting sugar enter the cells.
Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream, which then reduces blood glucose levels. Lipids are made up of smaller molecules called fatty acids and glycerol.
Dietary lipids can be classified into two types: triglycerides and lipoproteins. A triglyceride is a type of lipid molecule in which three fatty acids are strung together by one molecule of glycerol.
Lipoproteins contain at least one fat-sol
As a person’s blood sugar level falls, the secretion of insulin from the pancreas decreases.
The role of glucose
The liver’s main role is to convert the food we eat into glucose which is then released into the bloodstream. When glucose levels are low in the bloodstream, the pancreas release insulin to stimulate the uptake of glucose by cells.
Glucose is a monosaccharide and an important source of energy for living cells. It is an essential nutrient that provides fuel for humans and most other animals in order to produce energy.
Glucose is found in many foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products.
The liver’s main role is to convert the food we eat into glucose which is then released into the bloodstream.
When glucose levels are low in the bloodstream, the pancreas release insulin to stimulate the uptake of glucose by cells.
The three types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Autoimmune disorder that destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It usually starts during childhood, and it is the most common type of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
A disease that develops when your body can’t use insulin properly. This happens when your body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to meet your body’s needs.
Gestational diabetes
Type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. It usually goes away after childbirth, but it can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes later on in life.
People with diabetes have higher rates of:
- Heart attack,
- stroke,
- blindness,
- kidney failure,
- and amputation.
Diabetes is also the leading cause of death for people aged 25-65 years old.
The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in four people with diabetes will die from it before they turn 65 years old.
And if you live in the United States and have been diagnosed with diabetes, your chance of dying from this disease is even higher – about one in three.
Risk of neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a complication that arises from diabetes. It can affect both the sensory and motor nerves, leading to numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy can be caused by a change in blood flow to the nerve cells or an accumulation of glucose, called hyperglycemia. This change in blood flow or glucose concentration is caused by high levels of sugar in the bloodstream.
Diabetes affects people’s health, but it also has many other effects on their lives.
A diabetic person may experience changes in their weight, sleep habits, moods, and more.
Warning Signs and Symptoms You Can’t Ignore
Excessive thirst and urination
The most common symptom of diabetes is excessive thirst and urination, which can lead to dehydration if left unchecked. Lethargy and headaches are also very common, as well as feeling tired all the time.
A drop in your blood pressure can cause dizziness or light headedness when standing up quickly, blurred vision, or confusion about what you’re doing or where you are
Frequent hunger and weight loss
If you feel hungry or full an unusual amount, as well as experiencing unexplained weight loss, and have unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, you may be suffering from diabetes.
If you find that you’re losing weight without intending to do so, it might be because of another underlying health issue, such as diabetes.
Other common symptoms of diabetes include feeling extremely thirsty and needing to urinate often.
Darkening of the skin around your neck, hands and feet
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that causes the darkening of the skin around the neck, hands, and feet. The word acanthosis means “thickening” or “roughness” of the skin, and nigricans means “black.”
Acanthosis nigricans can be caused by various factors such as obesity, age, or pregnancy. But it can also be a sign of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). DM2 affects the way the body uses insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. This leads to high blood glucose levels, which in turn causes acanthosis nigricans.
Foot damage
Numbness in your feet is a common symptom of diabetes. As the disease progresses, you may experience numbness or burn in your feet. There are many different reasons for foot damage, but it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of diabetes so you can take steps to prevent them from happening.
One of the most common causes of foot ulcers is diabetes. Diabetes causes nerve damage which results in numbness and burning in the feet. Diabetes also makes your blood vessels more fragile which makes it easier to get an infection that will lead to ulceration on your foot.
Weakness in your legs
Weakness in your legs could indicate that blood vessels have become damaged. This damage can lead to increased risk of amputation.
Constant respiratory infection and cough
Diabetes can cause chronic infections, including bacterial infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. It can also cause viral infections, such as influenza. If you notice that you are experiencing frequent respiratory infections, it’s important to get tested for diabetes.
Your vision blurs
If you ever notice that your vision has changed and you are not sure why it may be a sign that you have diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a common symptom of diabetes. It occurs when the blood vessels in your retina (retinas) are damaged because of high blood sugar levels.
Retinas are the part of the eye that detects light. They are located in the back of the eye, near the optic nerve.
Retinas have blood vessels that deliver blood to them and take away waste products.
Retinal damage can happen when these blood vessels are damaged or blocked. When this happens, retinas can’t get enough oxygen and nutrients to work properly, which could lead to blindness.
Dry mouth
A dry mouth can happen to anyone, but people with diabetes are more likely to have it because high blood sugar makes saliva flow less.
Too little saliva in the mouth makes teeth and gums more likely to get sick. Even after a diabetes diagnosis, a person may still have a dry mouth. Some medicines used to treat diabetes can cause your mouth to feel dry.
Nausea
Nausea and throwing up are also signs that you might have diabetes. Both of these things can happen because of neuropathy.
Damage to nerves can make it hard for food to move from the stomach to the intestines. If this process is stopped, food can build up in the stomach, making a person feel sick and sometimes making them throw up.
You Get Yeast Infections
Yeast infection is a common vaginal infection that can be caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans.
People with diabetes, HIV, cancer or those who are pregnant are more prone to yeast infections. Yeast infections can also be caused by antibiotics and steroids. The symptoms of yeast infections include itching, a burning sensation in the vagina, and vaginal discharge that has a cottage cheese-like appearance. The discharge may have an odor that may be fishy or yeasty. If you experience these symptoms, consult your physician as soon as possible because it could lead to other health complications such as bladder infection or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Herbal and Natural Therapies to treat diabetes.
The use of herbal and natural therapies is not as common in the United States as it is in other countries. In India, for example, many people use herbal medicines to treat diabetes.
Aloe vera.
One of the most popular herbal remedies for diabetes is Aloe vera. Studies show that Aloe vera has anti-diabetic properties because it can lower blood sugar levels.
Bilberry extract
Bilberry extract has been used for centuries to help people with diabetes. It is a natural supplement that contains anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties. Research studies show that bilberry extract can lower blood sugar levels, improve circulation and reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease.
This plant-based supplement can be taken in capsule form or as tea, and it doesn’t have any side effects like some other medications do.
Bitter melon
It is a fruit that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It is the most frequently used ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
Chinese people have been using bitter melon for years to help with diabetes, cancer, and other health conditions.
Bitter melon has been shown to lower blood sugar levels, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cinnamon
It is a spice that has been used for centuries to help with ailments such as pain, diarrhea, and heartburn. It is also used to add flavor to food and beverages.
The main active ingredient in cinnamon is called cinnamaldehyde, which is the compound that gives cinnamon its distinct smell. Cinnamaldehyde has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with diabetes by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Conclusion: Cinnamon can be beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Fenugreek
It is a plant that is used in a variety of ways. It has been used for centuries in cooking and as a medicinal herb.
The seeds of the plant can be eaten raw or roasted, and they have a sweet, nutty flavor. A spice made from the dried leaves of the plant is called curry leaf and is often added to Indian cuisine.
Fenugreek seeds are also ground into fenugreek powder, which can be sprinkled on top of dishes or mixed with water to make a paste that can be added to foods.
Fenugreek has been traditionally used for diabetes mellitus type 2 treatment because it contains high amounts of soluble fiber, which helps lower blood glucose levels by slowing stomach emptying and increasing insulin release from the pancreas.
Ginger
Ginger is a natural herb that has been used for centuries in Chinese and Indian medicine. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory, to treat nausea, and to improve circulation. Ginger can also help with diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation.
Okra
Okra is a vegetable that is often used in many traditional African dishes. It has been shown to have a significant positive impact on diabetes symptoms, and it can also help to lower blood sugar levels.
Okra is a type of plant that belongs to the mallow family. It grows up to two meters tall, and it has green pods with white seeds inside. Okra originated in Africa, but today it is grown all over the world.
The leaves of the okra plant are very nutritious; they contain lots of vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as calcium and iron. The other parts of the okra plant are not as nutritious, but they are still edible and sometimes used in cooking or for medicinal purposes.
Many people around the world eat okra every day because it tastes good and is easy to grow in most climates. It can be eaten raw or cooked in many different ways – boiled, fried, or roasted – with different spices added for flavor.
Allium
It is a plant genus that includes onions, garlic, and leeks.
According to the latest research, alliums have properties that can help with diabetes management. Alliums can help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. They also increase insulin sensitivity in people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes because of their weight or family history.
Bauhinia forficata
- It is a plant that has been used to treat diabetes.
- It can help regulate blood sugar levels.
- It can lower the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- It can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake
The leaves are boiled and then eaten to lower blood sugar levels.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema Sylvestre is also traditionally employed as ayurvedic medicine.
The plant is mostly found in India and can help lower blood glucose levels. It may even help regenerate beta cells and increase their function in animals.
Momordica charantia
Momordica Charantia also has a variety of names and is native to some areas of Asia, India, Africa, and South America.
Marketed as “charantia,” this fruit also goes by “karolla” and “bitter melon” and has been known to help diabetics. Some ways it may be prepared are in a soup, with curry, raw or grilled. It may also be able to help with insulin secretion, the oxidation of glucose, etc.
Acute effects on blood sugar levels have also been reported.
Ocimum sanctum
Commonly used as an herb in traditional ayurvedic practices, Ocimum sanctum is most commonly known as holy basil.
A study found that people who used an extract of this herb had lower blood sugar after eating and fasting. Experts predict that it could improve the function of beta cells, making insulin production easier.
Opuntia streptacantha
Opuntia streptacantha is more commonly known as the prickly-pear cactus in these arid climates where it can grow.
One traditional use for the plant is as a treatment for diabetes. Animal studies have found that it can help control glucose in people who have type 2 diabetes, though more research is needed.
Warning
There are many natural remedies for diabetes that can be used in conjunction with conventional medications. Some of these remedies include dietary changes and exercise, herbal medicines, and acupuncture. However, it is important to note that these treatments may interact with diabetes medications, so it’s important to discuss them with your doctor before using them.
Conclusion
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor to get tested for diabetes. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to reverse the damage it causes. Keep in mind that these are just ten of the top signs and symptoms of diabetes. There are many more, so don’t ignore any changes in your body. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, make an appointment with your doctor and get tested for diabetes!
You might find this article interesting: Why are 80 percent of us magnesium deficient?
Sources
uhc.com/health-and-wellness
dtc.ucsf.edu
