The CDC defines diabetes as a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy.
If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes as well as it should. When there isn’t enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, here are six warning signs of diabetes to watch out for.
Six Warning Signs of Diabetes:
1. You take frequent trips to the bathroom
Excessive thirst and a frequent need to visit the bathroom are common signs of diabetes. When excessive glucose builds up in your blood, the kidneys can become overworked. When your kidneys can’t keep up, you might find yourself spending more time running to the bathroom.
2. You experience frequent urinary or yeast infections often
When your kidneys can’t filter your blood sugar, urinary tract and yeast infections might occur and recur, especially in women. While both are easily treated, it is important to maintain your blood sugar at a healthy level.
3. You’re losing weight without trying
Since your body isn’t able to process glucose for energy, it will start burning fat and you may experience unintentional weight loss. Your body may also keep your food from reaching your cells, leading to constant hunger.
4. Your vision is decreasing
High blood sugar levels can affect your eyes. Changes in eyeglass prescription or vision can be a sign of diabetes. This can affect your ability to focus. This can cause damage to your blood vessels. For most, these changes don’t cause vision problems but, left untreated, they can lead to blindness.
5. You’re feeling fatigued
There are several underlying causes of fatigue that may relate to diabetes, such as dehydration and kidney damage. Feeling extremely exhausted may interfere with your daily activities.
6. You’re noticing skin discoloration
Diabetes can cause dark skin to appear on the neck folds and the top of knuckles, due to insulin resistance.
For more information about the warning signs of diabetes, visit myClevelandclinic.com.
