Recognizing Diabetic Symptoms

Diabetes mellitus, also known as DM, is a disorder of how your body regulates the glucose in your blood. Glucose is necessary to perform your daily activities. You get glucose from eating food. In most healthy people your hormones regulate your levels of glucose. Insulin enables the glucose access to the muscle, fat cells and liver through your bloodstream. If someone has diabetes mellitus, type 1, they do not have enough insulin in their bodies. If they have diabetes mellitus, type 2, their bodies do not use the insulin correctly. A person will likely be able to recognize the diabetic symptoms. Diabetic symptoms are quite easily distinguished by their obvious signals. A diabetic who has one or all diabetic symptoms needs to be evaluated as soon as the diabetic symptoms appear.

Polydipsia

One of the first diabetic symptoms that are noticed is polydipsia or extreme thirst. The reason that they are thirsty is due to the body attempting to dilute the blood sugar due to elevation in the levels. When the body does this it results in the next common diabetic symptom, which is excessive urination or polyuria.

Polyuria

Right along beside polydipsia is polyuria, which means urinating frequently. The body is trying to dispel the blood sugar because it is just too high. This dehydrates the body, therefore the brain is telling it to drink more. These two common diabetic symptoms are a vicious cycle unregulated.

Extreme Tiredness

When you suffer from diabetes mellitus you will notice that you are extremely fatigued. The body is not able to use the glucose correctly, which means that more energy is needed to run your system. This will leave the diabetic exhausted.

Diminished Wound Healing

The elevated glucose levels cause the white blood cells to work incorrectly. White blood cells are necessary to fight infection. Without them wound healing is diminished and takes a longer time to heal.

Mental Changes

The diabetic symptoms of mental status changes are due to the elevated blood sugar levels. A person experiencing this diabetic symptom will exhibit lethargy, irritability, restlessness and confusion. This diabetic symptom can be considered an emergency situation since they are possible signs of a more serious diabetic complication. Emergency personnel should be called in.

Weight Loss

Because their blood sugar is not being used properly, a diabetic will often notice unintended weight loss. This is because the caloric intake is not being used correctly. The person with this diabetic symptom will continue to lose weight in spite of eating large quantities of food.

If you notice any of these diabetic symptoms in yourself or a loved one it is important to see your primary care physician as soon as possible. Left untreated more serious complications may arise. Diabetics are prone to infection, feet problems, visual disturbances and other consequences that are due to their diabetic condition. The physician will be able to properly advise and medicate you appropriately to avoid this from happening.