Diabetes Warning Signs
By Sara Butler
Diabetes impacts the lives of a lot of people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 30 million Americans suffer from this disease. What's even scarier is that for more than 7 million of those people, they don't even know they have it. That's why it's important to pay attention to cues your body may be sending to let you know something just isn't right. Here are a few warning signs of diabetes that you should never ignore.
Fatigue
When you're sleeping through the night but still feel so tired that you're having trouble functioning in your daily life, then it might be time to have your blood sugar checked. Diabetes can destabilize your blood sugar levels and that can cause you to feel tired all the time. If your diabetes is advanced, then it can also impact your circulation which means oxygen-rich blood doesn't make it to vital organs, which can also make you feel tired.
Rashes on Your Legs
About 55 percent of diabetics suffer from something called diabetic dermopathy. This condition looks like a mild rash on the lower legs that you may mistake for razor burns or some other benign issue. They appear as oval or round lesions. If you notice them, then it might be time to point them out to a medical professional.
Blurred Vision
Poor vision isn't an uncommon thing since many people wear glasses or contacts. But any sudden change in your vision such as blurriness can indicate that your blood sugar levels are high. This is due to the elevated sugars causing swelling to the lens in your eyes so that vision becomes distorted. If this is what is causing your blurred vision, then the good news is that getting your blood sugar under control can help it go away.
Excessive Thirst
Most Americans don't drink enough water each day, but if you find that your thirst has become excessive, then it might be due to high blood sugar caused by diabetes. Your body craves extra liquids in an effort to flush the excess sugar from the body. Drinking more water is a good thing, but excessive thirst is something that needs to be brought to the attention of your doctor.
Diabetes is serious and shouldn't be ignored. If you suspect that your blood sugar is out of balance and something isn't right, then it's time to bring it to the attention of a medical professional.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rowlett, Tex.