Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people across the world. It can be identified by increased blood sugar levels in a person. Diabetes must be identified early to be effectively managed and to avoid its complications. It’s important to identify the early signs of diabetes in both men and women to take timely action. In this post, we will discuss early signs of diabetes in men and women and various types of diabetes.
What causes Diabetes?
Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin or inadequate use of insulin by the body. Pancreas are responsible for creating & releasing hormone insulin, and that controls blood sugar levels. Diabetes is of 3 types: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes:
- Although it can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset diabetes, usually affects children and young people.
- When a person has Type 1 diabetes, their immune system unknowingly targets and kills pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. And their pancreas create very little to no insulin.
- High blood sugar levels result from the inability of food-derived glucose to enter cells and get used as fuel. This is caused by insufficient insulin.
- For those with Type 1 diabetes who want to effectively manage their blood sugar levels. Insulin therapy must be used for the rest of their lives.
- The cause of Type 1 diabetes is still to be found out. Environmental factors like viral infections and genetic predisposition are thought to be involved.
Type 2 Diabetes:
- Formerly known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually affects adults. But because obesity rates are on the rise, more and more children and adolescents are receiving treatments for this condition.
- In this body stops producing sufficient insulin for maintaining required blood sugar levels. Or becomes resistant to the effects of insulin in people with Type 2 diabetes.
- When cells do not react to insulin in the way they should. It can lead to insulin resistance, which restricts the uptake of glucose and raises blood sugar levels.
- There is a high correlation between poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic risk and type 2 diabetes.
- At the beginning, Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with dietary changes, physical activity, and weight loss. However, to maintain blood sugar control, as the condition worsens, oral medicines and/or insulin therapy may be required.
Gestational diabetes:
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and increases the chances of acquiring type 2 diabetes in the future.
All the Early Signs of Diabetes
There are many early signs of diabetes let us understand the complete list of diabetes symptoms and they are:
1. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination:
Increased urination, or polyuria, is one of the early signs and symptoms of Diabetes. High blood sugar causes the kidneys to work harder to flush out extra glucose in the urine. And that makes urination more frequent. This frequent urine can cause dehydration, which in response can cause polydipsia, or increased thirst.
2. Unexplained Weight Loss:
Even when eating habits are normal. Sudden and inexplicable weight loss is one of the signs of early diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes. Weight loss results from body breaking down muscle and fat tissue for energy because of insulin resistance or insufficient insulin.
3. Fatigue and Weakness:
Diabetes often shows up as ongoing weakness and restlessness, even after getting enough sleep. When cells cannot properly use glucose as fuel because of an insulin shortage or resistance. People can feel exhausted and tired all the time.
4. Increased Hunger:
People with untreated diabetes can have chronic hunger (polyphagia) even though they eat regularly. Despite high blood sugar, cells’ inability to access glucose causes hunger signals to be released, which increases appetite.
5. Blurred vision:
Vision problems because of changes in structure of lens in the eye can happen by high blood sugar levels. This symptom may come and go, especially after meals when there is a brief increase in blood sugar.
6. Slow Healing of Wounds:
Diabetes can hinder the body’s ability to heal from wounds and infections. Because it affects immune system function and blood circulation. Individuals with undiagnosed diabetes may experience delayed healing from minor scrapes and bruises.
7. Frequent Infections:
High blood sugar weakens immunity, increasing a person’s vulnerability to illnesses
. Urinary tract infections are more common in both men and women with diabetes. While thrush, or yeast infections, are more common symptoms of diabetes in women.
8. Numbness in Extremities:
Diabetes frequently results in peripheral neuropathy, which is characterized by tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in hands and feet. Neuropathic symptoms are a result of nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels.
9. Skin Problems:
Diabetes can cause number of skin problems, such as dryness, itching, and darkening in places like armpits and neck. These changes in the skin can be indicators of insulin resistance.
10. Sexual Dysfunction:
In individuals with diabetes, sexual dysfunction can affect both sexes equally. Decreased libido or dry vagina is among the early signs of diabetes in women. Whereas erectile dysfunction is one of the early signs of diabetes in men. Diabetes can affect blood flow and nerve function, which can worsen sexual dysfunction.
11. Mood Changes and Irritability:
Blood sugar changes can have an impact on one’s emotional state and overall mood. Those who have poorly controlled or untreated diabetes can be irritable, moody, and have trouble focusing.
12. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination in Children:
Children with diabetes can experience increased thirst, frequent urination, bedwetting, unexplained weight loss, irritability, and tiredness. Parents should watch for these symptoms in their children.
13. Vision Changes:
Diabetes can affect eyesight in number of ways, such as increased light sensitivity, blurred vision, and difficulties in focusing. Increased blood sugar levels can harm the blood vessels in the retina. And that results in diabetic retinopathy, a dangerous illness that, if unchecked, can cause blindness.
14. Gum Disease:
Diabetes raises the risk of periodontitis, or gum disease, which can be identified by bleeding, red, and swollen gums. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can reduce the body’s immunity against bacterial infections. Which, if left unchecked, can result in gum inflammation and eventual tooth loss.
Conclusion
For timely diagnosis and treatment, it is important to identify early signs of diabetes in both men and women. Even though symptoms can differ, being aware of these symptoms enables people to get help as soon as possible. To effectively manage diabetes and lower risk of complications, early detection supports implementation of lifestyle adjustments, medication, and routine monitoring. It’s necessary to visit a healthcare provider for your proper evaluation and treatment of diabetes. Remember that proactive care is the key to living well with diabetes and that early identification saves lives.
FAQs
Q1: What are the early signs of diabetes?
Ans: Too much urination especially at night, weight loss, blur vision, extreme tiredness, increased hunger & thirst, delay in wound healings.
Q2: What are signs of diabetes in women over 40?
Ans: Unexplained weight loss, decreased libido, yeast infections, dry skin and tiredness.
Q3: How to prevent diabetes?
Ans: Exercise regularly, avoid junk food, stop sugar intake, don’t take meals at night, sleep & wake up on time. And take sufficient sunlight.