Diabetes is one of the hardest conditions to manage, making it essential to spot as early as possible. According to the CDC, 100 million Americans had diabetes and prediabetes as of 2017, and the trend is increasing. If you’re suspecting that you or your loved one has diabetes, it’s essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Historically, Utah has had one of the lowest incidences of diabetes in the U.S., with only a 7.4% prevalence rate in 2015 compared with 16.1% of Alabama. Despite this, citizens of Utah are not immune from diabetes, making it as necessary to watch out for these warning signs:
1. You get thirsty and urinate more often.
When you have diabetes, excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This leads to excessive thirst, also called “polydipsia”, and increased urination, also called “polyuria”.
But how exactly? When there’s excess sugar in your bloodstream, your kidneys are forced to work harder to filter and absorb it. When it can’t the excess sugar is excreted into your urine, with fluids from your tissues being dragged along the process. This increases urination which leaves you dehydrated. This, in turn, will cause you to drink more to quench your thirst, which will then cause you to urinate more.
2. Everything gets a lot more blurry.
What does diabetes have to do with your vision? A lot. An important principle to remember is fluid follows sugar, so where there is more sugar, there is more liquid. When you have diabetes, fluid forms in your eye’s lens and this fluid buildup can blur your vision and even cause nearsightedness. If you find yourself having to get new prescription glasses more often, it may be a warning sign that you have diabetes.
3. You’re losing weight even when you’re not trying to.
Weight loss may seem like a welcome thought for many, but when you’re losing weight when you’re not trying to, it’s a cause for concern. Diabetes is marked by insulin resistance where your body can’t process sugar that well. When you have insulin resistance, your cells won’t get enough energy no matter how much sugar flows through your body.
Because of the lack of energy, your body will burn your fat and muscle for energy, which explains the sudden weight loss. And it’s not just a few pounds. Think somewhere around 10 to 20 pounds.
4. You’re constantly tired.
This is also connected to your body’s inability to process glucose. When your cells don’t get the energy they need, it will leave you feeling tired all day. A lot of other reasons could be causing your exhaustion such as your stress levels, diet, and quality of sleep. But if you’re doing okay in all these areas, and you’re still tired pretty much all the time, it’s time to consult your doctor to test you for diabetes in Provo.
The signs of diabetes are often subtle, but if you notice these changes in your body, it’s safe to assume that something’s amiss. Observe your body for some time, and when symptoms don’t change despite any effort, it’s time to see a doctor.
