More and more experts agree that diabetes, due to its progression and number of cases, acts as an epidemic disease.
Although it is one of the main causes of mortality in this century, it is a preventable condition. To anticipate its appearance, we are going to review its main warning signs and what measures are useful to keep it away.
Warning signs of diabetes
Preventing diabetes by identifying the early signs or symptoms is helpful in receiving early diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the risk of complications. Be aware of the following warning signs:
Very thirsty
Generally, excessive thirst can go unnoticed as a sign of diabetes, as it is a fairly common condition. If this becomes frequent, you should consult an expert.
When you have diabetes, glucose accumulates in the blood, forcing the work of the kidneys to filter and absorb it.
When the kidneys cannot keep up with this rhythm, glucose is excreted directly through the urine, drawing fluid from the tissues with them. This causes dehydration and thirst respectively.
Numbness of hands and feet
Numbness The popular “tingling” in the hands and feet can be an early sign of diabetes, specifically diabetic neuropathy.
This occurs due to the constant presence of glucose in the blood, which in the long run affects and weakens the functioning of the nerves.
This situation can be aggravated if, in addition to the high blood sugar levels the patient smokes or suffers from hypertension.
Frequent injuries and infections
When blood glucose concentrations are high, they can affect blood flow and impair the body’s recovery processes.
This translates into the appearance of wounds more frequently or in longer healing times, especially on the feet.
It is also common for some women with diabetes experience more bladder and vaginal infections.
Damaged gums
In addition to poor circulation, high blood glucose levels also cause difficulties in fighting infections.
This is usually seen first in the gums, which appear red, swollen or tender.
In the worst case, the teeth may loosen or sores or pus blisters develop in the gums.
Fatigue
High blood glucose levels affect the body’s ability to use sugar to meet its energy needs and ensure a correct cell function. This can cause, among other things, extreme and unexplained tiredness or fatigue.
Unintentional weight loss
Excess glucose causes frequent urination, and this also loses a lot of calories. In addition, diabetes can hinder the correct absorption of sugar by cells, causing rapid weight loss and poor body function.
Vision problems
High levels of glucose in the blood can cause the extraction of fluid from the tissues, including the lenses of the eyes. This affects the ability to focus.
- Ways to prevent diabetes
Although for most people these early changes do not cause vision problems, if they progress undetected they can lead to vision loss or blindness.
How to prevent diabetes
By incorporating some simple lifestyle-related measures you can prevent diabetes or delay its onset:
- Healthy nutrition: it is advisable to include foods with a low glycemic index (a measure that indicates how quickly a food can raise blood sugar level), rich in minerals, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, to the time low carb. Try apples, berries, kiwis, grapes, broccoli, kale, legumes, fish, and seeds. It is also advisable to avoid sugary, refined, salty or processed products.
- Avoid tobacco use : nicotine and certain chemicals found in cigarettes can damage the cells, cause inflammation, affect the insulin response and increase the risk of increasing abdominal fat. These are all risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
- Perform physical activity : exercise plays a double role in preventing type 2 diabetes, since it increases consumption glucose by the body, while stimulating muscle fibers, promoting the transport of sugar into cells. Although all types of movement are positive when it comes to preventing type 2 diabetes, the greatest benefits are seen in moderate intensity activities.
- Have a weight healthy : being overweight, especially when distributed in the abdominal area, increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Specialists advise losing weight, not regaining it and keep it long term. This also provides protection against other types of health problems or disorders.
To remember:
Although it is a preventable disease, diabetes, due to its progression and number of cases, became the “pandemic of the 21st century”.
To anticipate its appearance, specialists point out that its warning signs should be known, and thus receive early diagnosis and treatment.
The first symptoms are usually: very thirsty, fatigue, problem vision and gums, weight loss, numbness in the hands and feet, and frequent injuries or infections.
You can also prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by incorporating lifestyle changes, such as not smoking, maintaining a balanced, sustainable and healthy diet, exercising regularly and controlling weight.
Consulted sources : Library US National Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, World Health Organization.