Don't Let Diabetes Sneak Up on You: Know These 6 Early Signs

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. 

Type 1, an autoimmune disease, occurs when your immune system attacks the cells producing insulin within your pancreas. Without insulin, sugars we eat cannot enter the cells to be converted to energy for our body. 

Type 2 Diabetes is where the cells of the pancreas make a lot of insulin but due to obesity the body doesn’t use this insulin to help glucose get to the cells. The body is in a state of insulin resistance. 

Both conditions lead  “hyperglycemia” which means high sugars in the blood stream. 

Uncontrolled sugars are like pieces of glass going through delicate vessels. The blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, brain and heart are small and can get damaged fast. 

Learning the telltale signs of high sugars can help you avoid complications from unmanaged diabetes.

At the family-owned Healthy Horizons Clinic in Pasadena, Texas, Dr. Haala Hai and Dr. Afroze Hai offer a variety of family medicine services. If you suspect you suffer from diabetes, note these early signs below. Our team will also show you how to manage, or even reduce, your symptoms.

6 early signs of diabetes

Both types of diabetes exhibit warning signs. They include:

1. Blurry vision

Your eyes may swell due to changing levels of fluids in your body, causing an inability to focus.

2. Weight loss

Unexplained weight loss may become an issue when your body can’t extract energy from food and instead burns fat and muscle.

3. Increased hunger

You experience hunger when your body resists insulin or fails to make enough in the first place.

4. Continual fatigue

Your cells require insulin to receive glucose, which they utilize for energy. When this process is interrupted, you feel fatigued.

5. Frequent urination

Your kidneys may fail to keep up with rising blood sugar, which, in turn, causes your body to produce more urine.

6. Excessive thirst

The more urine you release, the more your thirst increases.

Dr. Haala Hai and Dr. Afroze Hai review your medical history and symptoms. If they suspect diabetes, they’ll order a blood test to make a final diagnosis.

Testing for diabetes

We monitor your blood sugar levels over two to three months using an A1C blood test. The higher your glucose levels, the greater your risk of complications from diabetes. The test may also detect prediabetes. When your numbers are high, yet still within normal range, we may recommend certain lifestyle changes to avert diabetes.

Lifestyle changes to keep diabetes at bay

With prediabetes, you’re still in the driver’s seat. You can steer away from full-blown diabetes through common sense adjustments to your diet and exercise routine. Our team recommends a well-balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean, that emphasizes:

• Whole grains
• Lots of non-starchy vegetables
• Low-fat dairy, including skim milk and Greek yogurt
• Protein-packed beans and lentils
• Fish and poultry
• Healthy fats, such as avocado and olive oil

We also suggest limiting processed foods high in fat and sodium, and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and sugary snacks. Our team helps you choose the best food plan to keep you satisfied and healthy.

Managing diabetes

If you have diabetes type 1, Dr. Haala Hai and Dr. Afroze Hai teach you to monitor your glucose levels through insulin therapy. They also counsel patients with type 2 diabetes, or prediabetes. Both groups benefit greatly from moderate exercise and a balanced diet.

When diabetes goes unchecked

Untreated diabetes may lead to a host of issues, from heart disease to kidney failure. Other complications include:

Nerve damage

Pain and numbness in your feet, legs, hands, and/or arms, may signal diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which affects nearly half of all diabetics.

Infections

Continual high blood sugar weakens your immune system, making it more difficult to ward off fungal and bacterial infections.

Eye disease

Conditions, such as macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts may lead to vision loss, especially in patients with diabetes.

Many people with diabetes endure cognitive impairment, as well as dementia and Alzheimer’s. The doctors stress how early diabetes detection is crucial to managing this disease and its progression.

Navigate your way to better health

If you suspect you or a loved one has diabetes, prediabetes, or another health concern, we’ll put you on the path to good health. Simply call or schedule an appointment at Healthy Horizons Clinic through our online booking feature today.