Warning Signs of Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 57 million Americans have Pre-Diabetes.  This is defined by having a blood sugar reading that is 100-125mg/dL.  So, the blood glucose reading is not quite high enough to give you a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, but it means you are well on your way unless you intervene NOW!

In a normal endocrine process, your pancreas produces insulin to get sugar to your cells for energy.  It's like a UPS driver delivering packages to your muscles, brain, heart, and so on.  In hyperinsulinemia or Pre-Diabetes, the cells won't uptake the sugar because there is already so much on board in the body from too much sugar intake through foods, drinks, a sedentary lifestyle.  They essentially snub the driver and ask him to move on.  This leaves the sugar unclaimed and the pancreas begins to work hard with more insulin output to try to combat the offense.

These are some signs to pay attention to along with the blood sugar reading that I mentioned above.

Feeling Thirsty:  Your brain needs glucose, but when it's constantly overloaded with too much, it will pull water from other areas of the body to bring the concentration down.  The result is that you will get thirsty.

Frequent Urination:  More water, more trips to the bathroom.  More trips to the bathroom, more water needed.  It's a viscous cycle.

Weakness and Fatigue:  When the glucose from your meals can't get to where it's supposed to go, you will feel zapped and actually crave more food to try to fuel your body.

Numbness and Tingling in the hands and feet:  Same thing if you think about it with common sense.  The blood system gets so overwhelmed with glucose that it's like poison to the nerves and causes neuropathy slowly and surely.

Blurry vision:  Remember that fluid is pulled from other areas of the body to help protect your sugar loaded brain.  This may affect your ability to focus and cause free radical damage.  This is why antioxidants are so important.  They halt those free radicals from causing so much destruction.

Infections:  bladder and vaginal infections along with poor wound healing can be a sign of diabetes in the works.

Skin Problems:  Sometimes people with type 2 diabetes will have darkened areas of skin called acanthosis nigricans.  They usually happen in the armpits, neck, knuckles, or groin.  It's a sign of insulin resistance.  It resembles a dirty area, but unfortunately, you can't just rub it off.  Skin tags are also common to stages of high insulin production.

Losing weight without trying:  Many with pre-diabetes want to nosh all day on food.  Improper fluctuations of hormones complicate things and cause intensify hunger.  You will also lose muscle mass because the body will begin to extract energy and fuel from the muscles to stay in equilibrium.  The weight loss can occur over time and often flies under the radar because often patients with diabetes start out overweight.  

If you have any of these signs, step one is to get your blood glucose checked.  I am also an advocate of checking serum insulin.  If the insulin levels are high along with the glucose measures, then it's time to have a total change of lifestyle.  Fortunately, if caught early enough, things can really turn around and you will be healthy for the long haul.

Decreased sugar consumption and increased exercise are the initial treatments of choice if you are affected by this condition.  Please pay attention to the warning signs and change things for the good.  You will be glad that you did.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja