The first signs of diabetes in women are pretty much the same as for those in men and children. The only first signs of diabetes in women that are really different are frequent vaginal infections which are caused by the high levels of sugar in the blood. These vaginal infections, caused by yeast and bacteria, can often be found in young girls as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms of diabetes include:

Excessive Thirst and Increased Urination – When excess sugar builds up in your blood, the kidneys begin to work overtime to filter the sugar. When your kidneys can’t keep up the sugar is excreted into your urine this triggers more urination and leaves you dehydrated. As a result you drink more fluids, and the cycle continues.

Fatigue – The dehydration from the excess urination and the cells’ inability to use the blood sugar to make energy leaves you fatigued.

Weight Loss and Extreme Hunger – As you lose the sugar through urination you will also lose calories. Also, since the sugar is not reaching your cells they are starving and ‘calling out’ for nutrients. This causes you to constantly feel hungry and eat more. Despite the fact that you are eating more, you continue to lose weight.

Blurred Vision – If you have diabetes, you will likely have blurred vision from time to time. This is because high blood sugar levels cause fluid to be pulled from your tissues. This includes the lenses of your eyes, affecting your ability to focus.

 

What to Do

 

If you notice any of the above first signs of diabetes in women, you should contact your doctor. The sooner the condition is diagnosed, the sooner your treatment can begin. The sooner your treatment can begin, the less likely you are to have serious complications due to diabetes over the years. Diabetes is a very serious condition. Just a few of the conditions that it can lead to are as follows:

  • Death
  • Coma
  • Seizure
  • Stroke
  • Blindness
  • Amputation
  • Heart Disease
  • Infections
  • High Cholesterol
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Weight Gain

 

Getting treatment early and carefully controlling your blood sugar levels, however, can help you to live a fairly normal life. There will be some lifestyle changes that will need to be taken on though, such as a proper diet and daily exercise. Your doctor will explain how to keep yourself healthy if you diagnosis turns up positive for diabetes.