01:57 PM
Friday, November 18, 2022
Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to absorb the sugar (glucose) in its cells and use it for energy, and as a result, extra sugar builds up in the bloodstream.
According to Russia Today, diabetes is a common disease that can have serious consequences, and there are two different types of the disease, type 1 and type 2.
In the first type, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, which means that the body cannot produce any insulin.
As for the second type, which is more common, it occurs when the body is not able to produce enough insulin, or when the cells of the body do not interact with insulin.
If left untreated, it can cause a number of different health problems due to the large amounts of glucose damaging blood vessels, nerves and organs.
Diabetes is described as the “silent killer”, since many people who have it do not realize it, as it often does not show early symptoms.
Some of the main signs of diabetes, which can be seen in both types of the disease, include feeling thirsty, urinating more frequently than usual, especially at night, feeling very tired, losing weight, and losing muscle mass.
While these are the most well-known symptoms when it comes to diabetes, there are also other “surprising” signs that can be seen in people with diabetes, namely:
1- Itching problems
One surprising sign is genital itching or thrush.
Yeast infections can be common in diabetics because sugar promotes the growth of candida.
And the NHS says those with poorly controlled diabetes may suffer from the condition.
This is often because high levels of sugar in the blood also mean high levels in other parts of the body such as sweat, saliva and urine.
Yeast may then overgrow, which means patients end up with thrush.
2- Wounds and ulcers
Often if you have diabetes, your immune system may not be able to control skin wounds and infections, say health experts at Health Partners Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana.
“High blood sugar can alter blood chemistry in ways that lower the body’s defenses and make the immune system work slower,” they added.
This in turn, they said, means cuts and sores will take longer to heal.
For many diabetics, this often leads to foot ulcers, and your doctor will be able to help you treat that.
Also read: For diabetics – the 4 best devices to measure blood sugar
3- Blurring of the eye
Blurry vision is also a common symptom in people with diabetes. Experts at John Hopkins Medicine said diabetes can damage the macula (or yellow spot), the center of the retina that provides straight vision.
And if you have uncontrolled diabetes, you may have leaky blood vessels, which can lead to blurred or distorted vision.
4- Skin disorders
Skin disorders are frequent among diabetics due to high blood sugar levels, which affects blood vessels and nerves.
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is the most common pre-diagnosed acanthosis nigricans, a condition characterized by dark, thick, velvety areas in the folds and wrinkles of the body. It mostly affects the armpits, groin, and neck.
5- Hair loss
One of the “surprising” symptoms of diabetes could be hair loss, said Barbie Cervone, a registered dietitian, diabetes care and educator.
She explained via VeryWell: “Hair loss is often associated with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is thought that certain problems caused by diabetes may lead to hair loss, including an immune system disorder called alopecia areata, poor circulation, and high blood pressure. sugar level in blood”.