Being able to recognize early diabetic symptoms is extremely important. If diabetes is ignored or allowed to continue without notice, high sugar levels continue to damage the body internally and severe complications can develop. Diabetes is a systemic disease which can affect any part of the body. The damage may vary from retinal disease, kidney disease, nerve disorders, and heart disease, to even more immediate emergencies like coma, seizure, and even death.
Luckily, if early diabetic symptoms are realized a person has a good chance of avoiding many of these types of complications as long as their blood sugar levels remain well controlled. However, these early diabetic symptoms are so vague that a person not knowing what to look for is likely not to realize that they should get tested for the disease. In fact, sometimes diabetes develops without any warning signs at all. Please take heed to the following early diabetic symptoms, and if you have experienced any of them, report it to your doctor as soon as possible:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Blurred Vision
Upon Noticing Early Diabetic Symptoms
When you first detect diabetic early symptoms, and you report it to your doctor, she will likely proceed with a diagnosis. There are several ways that diabetes is diagnosed, the most common being either a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or an oral glucosetolerance test (OGTT). In a FPG test the blood glucose level of a person who has not eaten anything for at least 8 hours is tested. The OGTT test is similar. With this test a person fasts for at least 8 hours, and then the person drinks a glucose-containing beverage. After another 2 hours the blood glucose level of the person is measured. Both of these tests are capable of detecting pre-diabetes as well.
Finding out that you have diabetes is a life-changing experience. First, take a deep breath and realize that it is possible to get a handle on this disease, and you can go on living a long and healthy life. Another important thing to realize is that you are not alone. Your primary physician can help you with any information that you need and may even set you up with a dietician or nutritionist to help you learn how to coordinate meals and keep your blood sugar levels under control. A certified diabetes educator (CDE) may also be available to teach you the skills that you need.
Normally in the beginning doctors will see if your diabetes can be controlled without medication, or only one type of diabetes medication may be prescribed to help you control blood sugar levels and end the early diabetic symptoms that you are having. Afterwards, the doctor will adjust your diabetes medication until the right combination to control your blood sugar levels is found. At home you will need to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly, take your medication as prescribed, eat a diet which is low in sugar and carbohydrates, and exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day.
