Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body produces too little insulin or can't use available insulin efficiently. Insulin is a hormone vital to helping the body use digested food for growth and energy.
An estimated 20.8 million Americans have diabetes. Although diabetes is a potentially life-threatening condition, people with well-managed diabetes can expect to live healthy lives.
Excessive Thirst
When an individual has elevated blood sugars, the body tries to rid the blood of the excess sugar by excreting it through urine. As the kidneys pull the sugar from the blood into the urine, large amounts of water are also excreted. This is the cause of the excessive thirst and often dehydration.
Increased Appetite
Excessive eating, also called polyphagia, occurs when the body attempts to compensate for excessive blood sugar by releasing more insulin. In addition to regulating blood sugar levels, insulin is also responsible for stimulating hunger. The body's attempts to secrete more insulin leads to an increased appetite. However, despite increased caloric intake, individuals with diabetes may gain very little weight and may even lose weight.
Frequent Urination
Excessive urination, also known as polyuria, occurs when the body tries to get rid itself of extra sugar in the blood by excreting it through urine. This symptom often leads to dehydration because the sugar that is excreted carries a large amount of water out of the body along with it.
Weight Loss
Individuals with diabetes are unable to process many of the calories in the foods they eat. This often means that they lose weight even though their diet is normal or even in the case of overeating. Losing sugar and water in the urine and the accompanying dehydration also contributes to weight loss.
Fatigue
Individuals with diabetes are unable to use glucose for fuel. In an attempt to compensate, the body switches over to metabolizing fat — partially or completely — as a fuel source. This requires the body to use more energy, leaving the individual fatigued.
Blurry Vision
Blurry Vision caused by Diabetes is a temporary problem caused by high blood glucose levels. High blood glucose causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. Getting your blood glucose back to normal levels will often correct this kind of blurred vision. It may take as long as three months after your blood glucose is well controlled for your vision to fully return to normal.
Important Note
Each of these symptoms can also be an indicator of other serious medical problems. Contact your physician for more information.
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to fill out the form to receive your free Guide to Controlling Diabetes with helpful information about related health issues and much more.
