Take care of your health by staying alert to potential symptoms of diabetes

It’s easy to take your good health for granted, but what happens when you start to notice concerning symptoms that seem out of the ordinary? Diabetes affects millions of people, and much of it depends on our diets and lifestyles. Let’s delve into common symptoms of diabetes and how we can take action before it’s too late.

Quick Read:

  • One of the early warning signs of diabetes is its effect on your eyes, so get your eyes tested if you notice blurred vision, difficulty focusing, or sudden changes in eyesight.
  • Type 2 diabetes often has no noticeable symptoms for years. This is why it’s important to stay on track with regular health screenings.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Even if you think you’re relatively healthy, you should still confirm worrying symptoms with a doctor. They will usually recommend one or more blood tests to assess blood sugar levels.

Common diagnostic tests include:

  • Fasting blood glucose test
  • HbA1c test, which reflects average blood sugar levels over a few months
  • In some cases, an oral glucose tolerance test

Early testing can help identify diabetes or prediabetes before complications develop. If you are in the high-risk category, a routine screening may help reduce future healthcare costs and ensure you live a healthy life.

High blood sugar

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions globally. Each year, the numbers rise, and childhood diabetes is also on the increase.

The condition occurs when your body struggles to process glucose properly, leading to high blood glucose levels. This is also called high blood sugar or hyperglycaemia. If left unmanaged, this can damage various organs and significantly increase your risk of heart disease, nerve damage, kidney problems, and other serious health issues.

Common diabetes warning signs

Understanding the symptoms of diabetes can help you catch it early. Common warning signs include:

  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger or thirst
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Skin problems, like dry or itchy skin
  • Slow-healing sores or cuts
  • Frequent infections
Good health habits to manage diabetes warning signs

Managing diabetes symptoms: early care makes a difference!

You’ve taken the first step by recognising the early warning signs of diabetes – that’s a big deal. The next step is to get tested. Early diagnosis can make a huge difference, helping you avoid serious complications like heart disease, nerve damage, and vision problems.

While anyone can develop diabetes, certain factors can increase the risk significantly. These include age, excess body weight, family history, limited physical activity, and prolonged periods of sitting, particularly in desk-based or high-stress work environments.

People with high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, or a history of gestational diabetes may also face increased risk. Understanding these risk factors can help you take preventative steps earlier rather than reacting once symptoms worsen.

Getting tested is straightforward and can be done at your local clinic or with your doctor. They’ll guide you through the process and explain what your results mean, so you can start managing your health better.

If you’re diagnosed with prediabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. In some ways, this is a “good” warning sign because it means you still have the chance to make lifestyle changes to prevent full-blown diabetes.

What happens if diabetes symptoms go undiagnosed?

Say you’ve been experiencing concerning symptoms, but have routinely ignored them. What happens next? Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can quietly damage your body and many people only learn they have diabetes once complications begin to appear.

As we’ve mentioned, undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage, vision problems, kidney disease, heart disease, and circulation issues. In turn, these complications affect your quality of life and may also lead to long-term medical costs and ongoing treatment needs.

This is why early awareness and testing play such a critical role in preventing more serious health outcomes.

Help at hand
  • Start with your weight. If you’re overweight, losing even a few kilograms can make a difference. Please don’t go on a crash diet! Rather focus on portion control and a healthy,  sustainable eating plan.
  • Get going on a moderate exercise routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Include some resistance training, like weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, to build muscle and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • You don’t have to go to extremes, but do take a hard look at your diet. Try to add more wholegrains, lean cuts of meat, fibre, fruit, and vegetables, while cutting out sugary, salty foods.
  • Regular blood sugar tests can help you stay on top of your health and catch any issues early.

By paying attention to the early signs of diabetes and making these lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk and improve your overall wellbeing. Remember, small, consistent changes can make a big difference over time.

Images: Vecteezy

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