When it comes to telling if you have diabetes, no individual is the same…

The symptoms you experience won’t exactly match those of another person…

However, knowing the most common early signs of diabetes will enable you to take action sooner, providing better chances of preventing diabetes-related complications….

According to WHO, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1

Most early signs and symptoms of diabetes are caused by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly and go unnoticed. In contrast, type 1 diabetes usually presents itself in a matter of days or a few weeks, with more severe symptoms.

Are you aware of the early signs for both types of diabetes?

Watch out for the following 6 early signs:

1. FEELING HUNGRIER & MORE TIRED THAN USUAL:

Your body makes glucose from food to give you energy. This glucose passes from your blood into your body cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. With insufficient or no insulin, the glucose can’t get into your cells, making you feel hungrier and more fatigued.

2. BEING REALLY THIRSTY & URINATING OFTEN:

Healthy individuals usually have to pee between four and seven times in 24 hours. With diabetes, you may have to go a lot more. Your body tries to lower blood sugar levels by flushing out the extra sugar in your blood. More urine is made, while fluids are taken up. So alongside frequent urination, you experience increased thirst.

3. LOSING WEIGHT WITHOUT TRYING:

When the sugar in your blood can’t get into your cells, your body tries to break down its fat stores for energy. That is why you might find that you are losing weight without really trying to.

4. HAVING TROUBLE WITH BLURRED VISION:

The changing fluid levels in your body make the lenses in your eyes swell up. They change shape and can’t focus, making it harder to see.

5. CUTS AND BRUISES TAKE LONGER TO HEAL:

High blood sugar levels can limit nutrients and oxygen from getting to your wounds. You might find that they heal slowly and may also get infected.

6. DRY MOUTH & ITCHY SKIN:

When your body is using fluids to make more urine, you could get dehydrated. Your mouth may feel dry. Less moisture for your skin can also make you itchy.

Talk to your doctor if you feel very unwell or have any symptoms of diabetes.