Diabetes: Early signs are often overlooked.

Diabetes often progresses silently, making it easy for many people to overlook or miss the early signs.

If the following signs are detected early, diabetes can be completely controlled, preventing it from progressing to serious problems such as nerve pain or putting a strain on the cardiovascular system, according to the Times of India .

Chronic fatigue

When blood sugar is high, the body has difficulty converting food into energy because sugar (glucose) cannot enter the cells. Notably, doctors frequently encounter this condition in patients who appear healthy on the outside, especially those who work in offices and have to juggle many household chores.

Persistent fatigue is often noticed earlier in women, as hormonal changes make fatigue more pronounced in the pre-diabetic stage.

A slight tingling or numbness in the fingertips can easily be mistaken by many for poor circulation.

PHOTO: AI

Numbness in hands and feet

The mild tingling sensation in the fingertips and toes when using a phone is easily mistaken by many for poor circulation. Over time, excess sugar silently damages the nerve sheath, leading to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Numbness in the hands and feet can appear very early, even before signs of excessive thirst or frequent urination.

Unusual dark patches of skin

Dark, velvety patches of skin appearing on the back of the neck, armpits, or knuckles are often attributed to sweat or unsuitable cosmetics. This condition, known as acanthosis nigricans, indicates that the body is producing too much insulin to control elevated blood sugar – a typical sign of insulin resistance. This is a silent warning sign from your skin, prompting you to get your metabolic health checked as soon as possible.

Recurrent infections

Vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract discomfort, or bleeding gums every time you brush your teeth are often attributed to bad luck, stress, or excessively humid weather. However, in reality, it's possible that your blood sugar levels have become a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, weakening your body's defenses and causing a recurrence of the infection.

Dry mouth, itchy skin

A dry mouth and thirst despite drinking plenty of water, or an itchy sensation on the lower legs and arms without a rash. This is due to slightly increased urination causing dehydration, which further concentrates blood sugar, combined with poor circulation that dries out the skin from the inside. If these symptoms worsen after eating a lot of carbohydrates, this could be a warning sign of a metabolic disorder that needs attention.

Slow-healing wounds

High blood sugar hinders blood circulation and weakens the immune system, slowing down the wound healing process. Many patients underestimate foot ulcers until they become serious, at which point it's too late; this is also a common occurrence in people with early-stage diabetes. Therefore, paying attention to minor wounds, especially in people over 40 or with excess abdominal fat, is extremely important.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/benh-tieu-duong-cac-dau-hieu-som-thuong-bi-bo-qua-185260116175853195.htm