Often times diabetes signs and symptoms are difficult to recognize. Did you know that it is estimated that there are approximately 5.7 million people living with diabetes and don't realize it. These people are completely unaware that they have the deadly disease--diabetes. Furthermore, it is estimated that 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes.
Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in America. High blood sugar can lead to serious health complications, with heart disease topping the list. Heart disease is the leading cause of early death in people diagnosed with diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes is on the rise; therefore, it is important to be able to recognize diabetes signs and symptoms so that you are in a position to be proactive with your health.
If you are seeking to prevent diabetes altogether, learning to take notice of early diabetic signs is vital. Take a moment to read more about four common early diabetes signs and symptoms.
Do You Have Any of These Common Symptoms?
1. Frequent Urination
Someone suffering from diabetes passes large quantities of urine several times during the day. There is a frequent urge to empty one's bladder at night as well. When glucose cannot enter the body's cells, it accumulates in the blood and starts appearing in the urine. Diabetics are prone to excessive urination because the glucose in the urine draws water out of the body in larger-than-normal quantities.
2. Increased Thirst
The loss of water from excessive urination generates an increased thirst. A diabetic patient frequently feels thirsty and drinks larges quantities of water at short intervals.
3. Extreme Hunger
Diabetics tend to feel hungry most of the time and eat large meals. They eat and too much, but despite this, they continue to experience hunger pangs.
4. Loss of Weight
Continual loss of weight, despite the intake of frequent and large meals, is another symptom of the disease. The body is starved of energy, as glucose cannot enter the cells. In a desperate effort to acquire energy, the starved cells use up fat and protein. This causes weight loss.
Diabetes Signs and Symptoms - Stop Diabetes Before it Starts
In 2005, diabetes claimed an alarming 233,619 lives. Many people do not know that they have diabetes until they develop other life threatening conditions such as, heart disease, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney damage, nervous system damage, dental disease, sexual dysfunction, and a number of other complications.
Learning to recognize early diabetes signs and symptoms is vital to stopping diabetes before it stops you! It is important to be checked by your physician on a regular basis to ensure the highest overall quality of life. If you have not already been diagnosed with diabetes, a check up is the only way of knowing that you have this deadly disease.
You may want to read further about additional diabetes signs and symptoms.
This article is provided for informational purposes only. Please do not mistake this content to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
For more information on developing a sound diabetes management program, visit http://www.diabetesmanagementprogram.org
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