Simply put, diabetes means you have too much sugar in your blood.
But to stay healthy, you need blood sugar since your body uses it for energy. Your body turns most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose). Normally, your body produces insulin, a hormone that helps blood sugar get to your cells. When you have diabetes, either your body doesn't make enough insulin, or doesn't use its own insulin effectively. This leads to a build-up of sugar in your blood. Too much sugar in your blood can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, amputations of the lower extremities, and even death.
Symptoms of Diabetes
You might have one or more of these signs. But for an accurate diagnosis, check with a medical professional. It's also important to note that people have been diagnosed with diabetes when they have had NONE of the symptoms.
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Sudden vision changes, including blurry vision
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- Slow-to-heal sores
- Dry, itchy skin
- Tingling or numb hands or feet
- More infections than usual
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Some people experience nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains along with some of these symptoms, usually indicating adult-onset type 1 diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes).
Low Blood Sugar Symptoms
Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar level dips too low. Everyone with diabetes will experience hypoglycemia at some time. The American Diabetes Association lists the following as symptoms of hypoglycemia:
- Shakiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sudden moodiness or behavior changes
- Sweating
- Hunger
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- Pale skin color
- Clumsy or jerky movements
- Difficulty paying attention
- Confusion
- Tingling sensations around the mouth
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As with the diabetes symptoms, you won't experience all the signs of hypoglycemia. If you think low blood sugar is your problem, ask your healthcare team if your blood sugar levels should be tested. |
