Diabetes refers to a group of diseases including prediabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. These diabetes types affect how our bodies use glucose (blood sugar). Glucose serves as the brain’s primary fuel source and provides energy for your tissue and muscle cells. Diabetes can lead to raised blood sugar levels, which can result in serious health issues. There are many signs of diabetes, some of them, though, can be rather subtle or unusual, making them hard to recognize. Therefore, many people remain undiagnosed in the early stages, increasing the risk of the condition worsening. We have compiled a list of symptoms to look out for that may indicate that you have undiagnosed diabetes.
Constantly Needing to Urinate
On average, most individuals urinate around six to seven times per day. However, urinating anywhere from four to ten times per day can still be considered normal. If you suddenly find yourself needing to urinate more often than usual (especially at night), it could indicate that your kidneys are having to work harder to rid your body of the excess sugar in your bloodstream. The first thing to consider is whether you may be drinking too much water in the evening, which would naturally result in more frequent urination. Try to refrain from drinking caffeine after 5 pm and water after 7 pm to test if this is the cause. If, however, you still find that you need to urinate multiple times per night, it may indicate that you have undiagnosed diabetes.
Feeling Excessively Thirsty
The reason people with undiagnosed diabetes need to constantly urinate is because they tend to drink a lot more water than usual. When the insulin isn’t working properly, excess glucose builds up in your blood. This causes the kidneys to pull fluids from your body’s tissues to get rid of excess glucose when you urinate. However, this leads to dehydration, making you feel intensely thirsty. This excessive thirst in diabetes is referred to as polydipsia and is common in both diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. If you find that you remain thirsty even after drinking lots of water, it could be a sign that you have undiagnosed diabetes.
Read More: Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Is Possible — And It Can Happen Faster Than You Think
Breath That Smells Like Fruit or Nail Polish
When your body is unable to produce insulin, your cells are deprived of the glucose they require for fuel. When this occurs, your body switches to burning fat instead. However, this leads to the production of ketones, which start building up in your bloodstream and urine. Excessive ketone levels can lead to bad breath, often smelling like nail polish. The reason it may smell like nail polish is because one of the ketones is acetone, which is typically added to the beauty product. When ketone levels grow unsafe, your risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) increases. DKA symptoms include abdominal pain, confusion, and a fruity sweet odor on your breath.
The Skin On Your Neck Is Darker
High insulin levels can stimulate skin cell growth and melanin production. Known as acanthosis nigricans, this condition results in patches of velvety dark skin on your neck, groin, or armpits. This condition can affect anyone but is more common in darker-skinned individuals. This subtle change in skin color is among the earliest visible symptoms of prediabetes. This condition is also common in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, you should visit your healthcare practitioner if you notice any dark patches of skin on your neck.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is among the lesser-known signs of undiagnosed diabetes. High blood sugar in men can result in damage to the nerves and small blood vessels responsible for controlling the blood flow to the penis. This can result in erectile dysfunction and is especially common in individuals with type 2 diabetes. For women, diabetes can cause a lower sex drive and vaginal dryness caused by nerve damage, poor blood circulation, and an imbalance of hormones.
Feeling Irritable
Another sign of undiagnosed diabetes is constantly feeling irritable. This symptom is often misdiagnosed as resulting from stress or changes in personality. If a person’s blood sugar drops too low, their brains don’t receive the glucose they require to function properly. This can lead to feelings of irritability and anxiety, or even sometimes anger. Luckily, it is possible to reverse this symptom. As the individual’s blood sugar levels become better controlled through medication or lifestyle changes, emotional balance usually returns, improving their overall sense of well-being.
Tingling and Numbness
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of damage to the nerves that can develop when you have diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage throughout the body, but It typically damages nerves in the feet and legs. Diabetic neuropathy symptoms can include numbness in the feet, legs, and hands, depending on the nerves involved. It can also have a negative impact on the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart. Some people experience mild symptoms. Others, however, can experience severe pain as a result of diabetic neuropathy.
Itching
Itching is a common sign of diabetes and is typically caused by dry skin, inadequate blood circulation, or particular infections. It can also be aggravating enough to cause disruptions in your daily routine. However, there are treatments for diabetes-related itching, such as using moisturizers on a daily basis, topical steroids, and regular exercise to help increase blood circulation. High glucose levels can also cause the release of inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines. These can trigger cellular receptors in the skin, making it feel itchy. The risk and degree of pruritus in diabetes are closely related to the extent and duration of unmanaged high blood sugar.
Read More: 10 Symptoms of Diabetes That May Show Up In Your Feet
Blurry Vision
Diabetic retinopathy is the main cause of blindness among working-age adults. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina. Damaged blood vessels could potentially expand and leak, resulting in blurred vision, which typically affects both eyes. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop this condition. If you start to notice a distortion in your vision, such as blurriness, have your eyes looked at as soon as possible. The earlier you are treated, the better the provided treatment will work. People with diabetes are more prone to get cataracts at a younger age. One reason is that excessive blood sugar levels can cause deposits to accumulate in the lenses, making them blurred.
Constant Hunger
Diabetic hyperphagia is a condition that occurs in diabetics who are constantly hungry despite eating lots of food. This typically happens when insulin issues interfere with the conversion of glucose into energy. It may be difficult to discern between hyperphagia and simple cravings. However, the main characteristic of hyperphagia is a persistent food craving that does not go away after eating. This symptom can affect people with high blood sugar as well as people with low blood sugar. It can also be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be potentially life-threatening.
Dizziness
Dizziness can be an indication of undiagnosed diabetes or a symptom for individuals who already have the disease, regardless of the type. Excessive urination could cause dizziness when your blood glucose levels are high. Urination is one way the body gets rid of excess glucose in the bloodstream. Ultimately, this could end up causing dehydration and dizziness. When glucose levels are low, the brain does not receive enough fuel to function normally. This can cause confusion and dizziness. People who do not have diabetes can also suffer from hypoglycemia, which includes dizziness as a symptom. In general, a brief dizzy spell is not cause for concern. However, if dizziness occurs regularly or does not go away, you should check in with your doctor or healthcare team.
Dry Mouth
A dry mouth occurs when you don’t have enough saliva. A dry mouth is a typical symptom of diabetes and sometimes is the first noticeable symptom of the disease. individuals with diabetes who have high blood sugar levels are more susceptible to infections and heal slower than individuals whose blood sugar levels are within the target range. If left untreated, high blood sugar and dry mouth might cause serious dental complications. Dry mouth is best treated by addressing the underlying cause. If high blood sugar is the reason, you and your healthcare practitioner can work together to monitor and manage it. If a medication causes a dry mouth, consult your healthcare practitioner about discontinuing or changing the medicine, or taking lower amounts.
Fatigue
Feeling persistently drained, even after a full night’s sleep, may indicate diabetes-related fatigue. When blood sugar levels are high, the body battles to convert glucose into energy because insulin is not working properly. As a result, your cells do not receive the fuel they require, leaving you feeling completely depleted. Furthermore, high blood sugar causes the kidneys to work harder to eliminate excess glucose through increased urination. This can potentially result in dehydration. Dehydration on its own can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Blood sugar swings can also disrupt sleep quality, exacerbating fatigue. This type of fatigue is distinct from simply being tired; it is persistent and can impair daily functioning quite drastically for some people. Energy levels typically improve rather significantly when there is proper diabetes management.
Skin Infections and Issues
Skin issues in diabetes affect up to 80% of patients and have a substantial impact on their quality of life. Furthermore, these problems can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Diabetic dermopathy, skin infections, and xerosis are examples of common skin problems associated with diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to develop skin infections for a number of reasons. High blood sugar levels deplete the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. Diabetes can also cause nerve damage, which impairs the capacity to feel pain, heat, or cold. People with undiagnosed diabetes might not recognize injuries or infections as easily as those without the condition. UTIs are bacterial infections of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. They are more common in diabetics because elevated blood sugar levels stimulate bacterial growth in the urinary system.
Weight Loss
When you urinate frequently, you lose sugar and calories. Along with dehydration, this can lead to fast weight loss. This is especially true for those with type 1 diabetes. However, it can occur in certain patients with type 2 diabetes. Individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes may gain weight as a result of increased hydration. Weight gain may continue over time as less sugar is eliminated in urine unless certain preventative measures are followed. Unexplained weight loss should never be brushed aside, especially if it is accompanied by additional signs such as fatigue or increased thirst. In rare circumstances, weight loss may occur even when appetite increases. Monitoring body weight and reporting any unexpected changes to a healthcare physician is critical for early diagnosis and treatment.
Wounds That Heal Slowly
Having diabetes does not always mean that you will have slow-healing wounds. However, multiple factors increase the likelihood that you will experience healing issues. Consistently high blood sugar levels can cause issues with circulation, nerves, and the immune system. All of these issues could potentially hinder proper wound healing. If you have weak circulation, wounds may take longer to heal. This is because it is more difficult for blood to reach the wound site and fight infection while also aiding in the healing process. The thickness of your blood can contribute to impaired circulation. When you have high glucose levels, your blood thickens, making it more difficult for your heart to transport it from your fingertips to your toes.
Leg Pain and Cramps
Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common cause of leg pain and cramping. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs when diabetes causes nerve damage in the arms or legs. In diabetics, this condition can be caused by persistently elevated blood sugar levels. Common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include pain, burning, tingling, and numbness. Peripheral neuropathy can potentially cause major foot and limb issues. Preventing symptoms requires early detection of damage to the nerves and can potentially help prevent lower leg amputations. The most significant thing you can do to reduce your risk is to keep your blood sugar levels within the recommended range. One of the first steps is to treat the pain with medicine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are two over-the-counter drugs that can help relieve mild to severe pain. Other drugs and therapy alternatives include the use of opioids like tramadol and tapentadol, as well as topical treatments and sprays.