Uncommon indications of diabetes
Diabetes, a group of health conditions that affect how the body processes sugar for energy, can present with a variety of symptoms. While common symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss are well-known, there are several uncommon signs that can indicate diabetes.
One such sign is recurrent fungal or yeast infections. High blood glucose levels can favour fungal growth and impair the immune system, leading to more frequent yeast and skin infections than usual.
Another symptom is acanthosis nigricans, a condition characterised by velvety, darkened skin in the neck, armpits, or groin. This skin change is related to insulin resistance and is often seen in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Slow-healing wounds and frequent infections can also be indicative of diabetes. Chronic high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels and impair immune cell function, leading to delayed wound healing and an increased risk of foot ulcers and amputations.
Numbness, tingling, burning, or unusual pain in the feet or hands, known as peripheral neuropathy, can also be a symptom of diabetes. Long-term high blood sugar can damage peripheral nerves, causing sensory loss, pain, muscle weakness, and balance problems. These nerve problems can be painless, increasing the risk of ulcers, or painful and often worsening at night.
Gastroparesis symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and early satiety, can also be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes can damage autonomic nerves that control the stomach, slowing gastric emptying and causing chronic nausea or vomiting.
Autonomic neuropathy, a condition caused by chronic high blood sugar damaging autonomic nerves, can manifest as orthostatic dizziness, urinary retention, erectile dysfunction, or bladder dysfunction.
Unexplained fatigue and cognitive changes, such as brain fog and concentration problems, can also be symptoms of diabetes. When cells cannot use glucose effectively, the body can become energy-deprived, leading to persistent fatigue. Glucose variability and microvascular or inflammatory effects of diabetes can also affect cognition.
Blurred vision, tingling hands or feet, dry skin, sores that heal slowly, and experiencing more infections than usual are also possible signs of diabetes. These symptoms often reflect long-standing or poorly controlled hyperglycemia causing microvascular damage, neuropathy, impaired immunity, or insulin-resistance–related effects.
If you or someone you care for has persistent or unexplained versions of these symptoms, screening for diabetes and evaluation for complications is reasonable. It is important to note that these symptoms often indicate long-standing or poorly controlled hyperglycemia, causing microvascular damage, neuropathy, impaired immunity, or insulin-resistance–related effects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise contacting a healthcare professional if experiencing symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, and fatigue. If you are at risk for diabetes due to factors such as obesity, a family history of the condition, or prediabetes, it is especially important to be aware of these uncommon symptoms and to seek medical advice if needed.
- Science has revealed that diabetes mellitus can present with recurrent fungal or yeast infections due to high blood glucose levels favoring fungal growth and impairing the immune system.
- Acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition characterized by velvety, darkened skin in specific areas like the neck, armpits, or groin, is related to insulin resistance and often seen in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- Slow-healing wounds and frequent infections can indicate diabetes, as chronic high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels and impair immune cell function, leading to delayed wound healing and increased risk of foot ulcers and amputations.
- Peripheral neuropathy, where numbness, tingling, burning, or unusual pain in the feet or hands occurs, can be a symptom of diabetes due to long-term high blood sugar damaging peripheral nerves.
- Gastroparesis symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, bloating, and early satiety, may be a sign of diabetes when diabetes damages autonomic nerves that control the stomach, slowing gastric emptying.
- Autonomic neuropathy, marked by conditions like orthostatic dizziness, urinary retention, erectile dysfunction, or bladder dysfunction, can manifest as a result of chronic high blood sugar damaging autonomic nerves.
- Unexplained fatigue and cognitive changes, such as brain fog and concentration problems, can be symptoms of diabetes due to the body becoming energy-deprived when cells cannot use glucose effectively.8.Blurred vision, tingling hands or feet, dry skin, sores that heal slowly, and experiencing more infections than usual are possible signs of diabetes, often reflecting long-standing or poorly controlled hyperglycemia causing microvascular damage, neuropathy, impaired immunity, or insulin-resistance–related effects.
- Diseases like cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health issues, eye health problems, hearing disorders, and skin conditions can co-exist with diabetes, necessitating comprehensive health and wellness care.
- Fitness and exercise, a crucial aspect of health and wellness, can help manage diabetes and other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular health issues, by maintaining a healthy weight and improving overall wellbeing.
- Sexual health, a vital aspect of mens' health, can be affected by diabetes through conditions like erectile dysfunction caused by autonomic neuropathy.
- Therapies and treatments can play a significant role in managing diabetes, and in some cases, may help reverse or slow the progression of related complications.
- Proper nutrition is crucial in managing diabetes, as it helps maintain steady blood sugar levels throughout the day and provides essential nutrients for overall health and well-being.
- Aging, a natural development, can exacerbate diabetes-related complications, making it essential to prioritize fitness, exercise, nutrition, and regular medical check-ups for elderly individuals.15.Mental health, womens' health, and parenting, while distinct aspects of well-being, are all interconnected and should consider the impact of chronic diseases like diabetes and receive appropriate attention and care.
