Diabetes is a disease where the blood glucose is too high, according to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the source of energy from the food we eat. In the pancreas, the hormone insulin helps glucose from the food transfer over to cells to be used and store energy. However, when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well, glucose stays in the blood and doesn’t transfer over to the cells.
The NIDDK discusses the two types of diabetes. Type 1 is when the body does not make insulin, so the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make the insulin. Type 2 is when the pancreas does not make or use insulin well.
Frequent urination
Frequent urination can be a sign of diabetes, according to Medical News Today. When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys try to confiscate the extra sugar by filtering out the blood. This causes one to urinate more frequently, especially at night.
Increased thirst
While constantly urinating, it increases the loss of water in the body. Medical News Today discusses how over time this can cause dehydration.
Always feeling hungry
Since there is a lack of energy being stored and used in the body, someone with diabetes can feel hungrier than usual. According to Medical News Today, since the digestive system breaks food down into glucose the body uses that for fuel. People who aren’t getting enough glucose into the cells are then constantly feeling hungry regardless of when they have eaten.
Blurry vision
Diabetes can cause issues when it comes to vision. Medical News Today discusses how an excess of sugar in the blood can cause impairment the blood vessels in the eyes. The blurry vision can come and go due to this issue. If a person with diabetes does not get treatment for this, the damage will be more severe over time and can lead to vision loss.
Slow healing wounds
When there are high levels of sugar in the blood, they can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the body. According to Medical News Today, this also damages the blood circulation. When there are small wounds it can take weeks or months to heal. This can also increase the chance of getting an infection.
Yeast infection
According to Medical News Today, having an excess sugar in the blood and urine delivers food for yeast, which leads to an infection. These infections usually occur in warm and moist areas such as the mouth, genital areas, and armpits. The areas that are affected are usually itchy and can feel burning, redness, and soreness.
Sources:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323185.php
