Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people around the world and happens when blood sugar, called glucose, stays too high for too long. This can cause serious problems if left untreated, but fortunately, it is possible to identify diabetes early if you know the signs and symptoms.
These signs are like alerts from your body telling you that something is wrong, and understanding them is the first step to taking care of your health. Have you ever felt extremely thirsty, the urge to pee all the time, or even tiredness that doesn’t go away? These could be signs of diabetes!
The good news is that modern science explains all of this clearly, and anyone can understand it. In this text, we will talk about what diabetes is, what the most common signs are, why they appear and what you can do. If you have questions or want to help someone, this text is for you!
What is diabetes and why does it matter?
Let’s start from the basics. Diabetes is a condition in which the body has difficulty controlling blood sugar. Sugar, or glucose, comes from the foods we eat, especially carbohydrates such as rice, bread and pasta. Normally, the pancreas, an organ in our body, produces insulin, a type of key that helps glucose enter cells to provide energy. But, in diabetes, this key doesn’t work properly. It may be that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (as in type 1) or that the body does not use insulin correctly (as in type 2).
This causes glucose to accumulate in the blood, as if it were a car stopped on the road without knowing where to go. When this happens, the body starts sending signals that something is wrong. These signs are the symptoms of diabetes, and they can appear suddenly or little by little, depending on the type. Knowing how to recognize these signs is crucial, because untreated diabetes can cause serious problems, such as damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves.
For example, have you ever heard someone say that they are always thirsty, even after drinking water? Or that you need to get up several times a night to go to the bathroom? These are classic signs that the body is trying to get rid of excess blood sugar.
The most common signs and symptoms explained in simple terms
Now that you know the basics, let’s list the most common signs and symptoms of diabetes and explain why they happen. Think of them as messages your body sends you to pay attention.
These symptoms are not the same for everyone, but they are quite common and have been studied by doctors and scientists from renowned institutions, such as OMS (World Health Organization) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Excessive sede (polydipsia)
Have you ever felt a thirst that doesn’t go away, even after drinking several glasses of water? This happens because, with a lot of sugar in the blood, the body tries to dilute this excess, making you feel thirstier.
It’s like your blood is very salty, and you drink water to balance it out. High glucose pulls water from your cells into your blood, so you become dehydrated and feel like drinking all the time. It’s a sign that the body is working too hard to protect itself.
- Frequent urge to urinate (polyuria)
Along with thirst comes the need to pee often, especially at night. This happens because the body tries to eliminate excess sugar through urine. Imagine a filter trying to remove impurities from a liquid that is too sweet – the filter (your kidney) works harder and sends more liquid out.
If you wake up several times a night to go to the bathroom or feel like you’re always rushing to the bathroom, it could be a sign of diabetes.
- Constant hunger (polyphagia)
Even though you eat a lot, do you still feel hungry? This can be confusing because you think, “I already ate, why am I still hungry?” In diabetes, cells are not receiving enough glucose to function, even though it is high in the blood.
Without insulin working properly, it is as if the cell doors are locked, and energy cannot enter. Then, the body signals that it needs more food, even if you have already eaten.
- Tiredness and fatigue
If you feel tired all the time, even after sleeping well, it could be another sign. Without glucose entering your cells, your body doesn’t have enough energy. It’s like your car is out of fuel, even though the tank appears full.
The glucose is there, but it doesn’t get where it needs to be. This leaves you exhausted, sleepy and unwilling to do simple things, like climbing stairs or playing with your children or grandchildren.
- Weight loss for no reason
Some people with diabetes, especially type 1, notice that they are losing weight without dieting or exercising. This happens because the body, without insulin, begins to burn fat and muscle for energy. It’s as if it is “stealing” energy from other parts of the body, which can make you lose weight quickly. If this happens suddenly, it’s a red alert.
- Blurred vision
Have you ever had difficulty reading or seen everything blurry, even when wearing glasses? High glucose can affect the eyes, changing the shape of the lens, which is the part that focuses light. It’s as if your camera lens is dirty or out of focus. This symptom may be temporary, but if left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems, such as blindness.
- Wounds that take time to heal
If you have cuts, scrapes, or bruises that take weeks to heal, this could be a sign. High glucose impairs circulation and the immune system, causing the body to take longer to repair damage. It’s as if your body’s “workers” are too slow to fix things.
- Frequent infections
Have you had a lot of infections, such as fungus on your skin, mouth or genitals? Diabetes weakens the body’s defense system, making it easier to get infections.
Women, for example, may have vaginal or urinary infections more frequently. It’s as if the body has a broken shield, leaving it vulnerable.
These are the most common signs, but they can vary. Some people with type 2 diabetes don’t even notice symptoms at first because they appear slowly. In type 1, symptoms may appear suddenly, like an alarm ringing loudly. There is also gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, and may not have obvious symptoms, but is detected by tests.
What can happen if we ignore the signs?
Now comes the most serious part. If you ignore these signs or don’t seek help, diabetes can cause serious problems. It’s like letting a small leak turn into a flood inside your home, causing major damage. Constantly high glucose damages blood vessels, nerves, and organs over time. Here are some complications that may appear:
- Heart and blood vessel problems: Diabetes increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. High sugar hardens the arteries, as if they were water pipes becoming clogged.
- Kidney damage (nephropathy): The kidneys filter the blood, but high glucose can overload them, leading to kidney failure. You may need dialysis or a transplant.
- Eye problems (retinopathy): Vision may worsen to the point of blindness. High glucose damages the vessels in the eyes, like painting a delicate canvas with thick paint.
- Damaged nerves (neuropathy): Tingling, numbness or pain, especially in the feet and hands, are common. It’s as if some wires in your body stop conducting electricity.
- Feet at risk: Foot wounds may not heal and may even lead to amputation because poor circulation makes healing difficult.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): This is an emergency, especially in type 1. The body begins to break down fat in an uncontrolled way, creating substances called ketones, which acidify the blood. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and breath that smells like acetone, like nail polish.
These complications show why it is so important to pay attention to early signs. Science says that if diabetes is treated early, many of these problems can be avoided or delayed. Doctors from institutions such as Mayo Clinic and the NIDDK emphasize that monitoring glucose and changing lifestyle are essential steps.
How to recognize and act?
Now that you know what can happen, let’s get back to something positive. Recognizing the signs of diabetes is the first step in taking care of yourself or someone you love. If you or someone you know is excessively thirsty, pees a lot, feels hungry all the time, is tired, has lost weight for no reason, has blurred vision, wounds that don’t heal, or frequent infections, it’s time to see a doctor. A simple blood test, such as a fasting blood glucose test or hemoglobin A1c, can tell if you have diabetes.
Treatment depends on the type. In type 1, it is usually necessary to use insulin, which is like giving the body the key it lost. In type 2, lifestyle changes such as eating better, exercising, and sometimes taking medication can help. Gestational diabetes often disappears after birth, but requires care during pregnancy.
Experts, such as those from WebMD and from WHO (World Health Organization), also recommend monitoring your glucose regularly, avoiding refined sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, and seeing a doctor at least once a year.
ANow you know everything you need about the signs and symptoms of diabetes in a simple and direct way. Diabetes is a serious condition, but recognizing it early and acting quickly can make all the difference.
If you feel excessive thirst, the urge to urinate a lot, constant hunger, tiredness, weight loss, blurred vision, wounds that take a long time to heal or frequent infections, don’t ignore it. These are alerts from your body, and science shows us that, with care, you can live well.
So if something feels off in your body, talk to a doctor. Take care of your health, eat well, move and keep an eye on the signs. Diabetes doesn’t have to be a big deal – with knowledge and attitude, you can control it.
And, who knows, help someone else do the same. Stay tuned, stay healthy!