Excessive Thirst To Dark Skin Patches: 7 Early Signs Of Diabetes You Should Never Ignore

World Diabetes Day: Diabetes results from insulin resistance, leading to high blood sugar. Chronic types include Type 1 & Type 2, while prediabetes and gestational diabetes are potentially reversible.

If diabetes isn’t diagnosed, the high sugar level in blood can impact various cells and organs in the body.

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By Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan

World Diabetes Day: Diabetes happens when your body has trouble using insulin, which helps control your blood sugar. Chronic diabetes conditions include Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes happens when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. And prediabetes can lead to diabetes unless steps are taken to prevent it. Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy. But it may go away after the baby is born.

7 Signs Of Diabetes To Watch Out For 

1. Frequent urination: Frequent urination is often one of the first signs of diabetes. When blood sugar levels are too high, the kidneys must work overtime to filter and remove the excess sugar. As they try to get rid of this extra sugar, they produce more urine, so you use the bathroom more frequently, especially at night. This increased urination is a direct result of your kidneys being unable to keep up with the excess sugar in your bloodstream

2. Excessive thirst: Excessive thirst often goes hand in hand with frequent urination. Extreme thirst might be a warning sign of diabetes. When your body struggles to process sugar properly, excess sugar ends in your bloodstream. To remove it, your kidneys produce more urine, leading to frequent urination. This results in dehydration, making you feel constantly thirsty.

3. Unexplained weight loss: Sudden and unexplained weight loss, especially when you’re not actively trying to lose weight, can be an early indicator that something may be off with your health — potentially an early sign of diabetes. When the body can’t get enough energy from the food you eat, it starts breaking down muscle and fat stores for fuel. This can cause noticeable weight loss even if your eating habits haven’t changed. In cases of prediabetes or diabetes, this happens because the body cannot efficiently use glucose from food for energy.

4. Slow healing of wounds and cuts: When you have high blood sugar, it can make it harder for your body to heal cuts and wounds. This is especially a problem if diabetes isn’t diagnosed. High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, which slows down blood flow. Poor circulation means that your body has a harder time getting the nutrients and oxygen it needs to heal wounds properly. Even small cuts or bruises can take a long time to heal —sometimes weeks or months. High blood sugar also weakens your immune system, making it easier for infections to happen and harder for your body to fight them off.

5. Dark skin patches: One of the lesser known yet significant symptoms of prediabetes is the development of darkened patches of skin, particularly in body folds and creases. This condition, known as acanthosis nigricans, is often linked to insulin resistance, a critical factor in both prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Acanthosis nigricans appear as velvety, dark patches of skin, commonly found in areas like the neck, armpits, groin, elbows, and knees. These changes occur when high insulin levels in the bloodstream stimulate the rapid growth of skin cells.

6. Poor Or Blurred Vision: Poor or blurred vision is a common symptom associated with prediabetes and can be an early sign of fluctuating blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are consistently high, they can temporarily alter the shape of the eye's lens, leading to vision problems. Excess glucose in the bloodstream causes the lens to swell, impacting its ability to focus correctly and resulting in blurred or distorted vision. The root cause of this symptom lies in the body’s inability to efficiently use glucose, which leads to its accumulation in the blood.

7. Excessive hunger: Increased hunger, known as polyphagia, is a common symptom of prediabetes. It occurs due to the body's struggle to manage fluctuating blood sugar levels. In prediabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. As a result, glucose from our food has difficulty entering the cells to be used for energy. This leaves the body in an energy-deficient state despite average food intake. Because the cells aren't getting the necessary glucose, the body sends signals to the brain to eat more to meet its energy requirements.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan is Senior Director - Centre for Diabetes, Thyroid, Obesity & Endocrinology, BLK-MAX Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]