What Does Diabetes Feel Like?

Diabetes is a relatively common disease, affecting more than 38 million people of all ages in the United States. Diabetes often goes undiagnosed, with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that nearly 9 million people have diabetes but are unaware.

Diabetes can cause serious complications if untreated, so it’s important to recognize its symptoms and see your doctor for testing.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas either produces too little insulin or none at all, or when the body doesn’t respond normally to insulin. This causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream, meaning that your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, when untreated, complications can occur, including heart disease, nerve damage, and eye problems.

There are two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

With Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin because the body’s immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. It’s usually diagnosed at a relatively early age and requires taking insulin daily for life.

Type 2 Diabetes

With Type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t process insulin properly, or the pancreas is not producing enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes can usually be controlled with medication and lifestyle modifications.

Risk Factors for Diabetes

Several factors can lead to diabetes, some of which are controllable, and some that are not.

• Family history: Diabetes often has genetic causes.
• Age: The chances of getting Type 2 diabetes increase with age.
• Race/Ethnicity: Those who are Black American, Asian American, Latino/Hispanic American, Native American or Pacific Islander have a higher chance of getting diabetes.
• Weight: Those who are overweight have a higher chance of getting diabetes.
• Physical inactivity: Those who are not active have a higher risk of diabetes.
• Blood pressure: Untreated high blood pressure is linked to diabetes complications.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the chances of complications from diabetes.

What Does Diabetes Feel Like?

Diabetes has symptoms that can be easy to ignore, so it’s important to understand what you might feel or experience with diabetes.

Frequent Urination

With diabetes, your kidneys have to work harder to remove excess sugar from your body, causing more frequent urination.

Excessive Thirst

Frequent urination can cause excessive thirst or dry mouth.

Excessive Hunger

Insulin is required to get glucose to your cells to give your body energy, so if this is not occurring, your body feels like it needs more food for energy.

Fatigue

Again, insulin is required in order for glucose to give your body energy, so a lack of insulin makes you feel fatigued.

Itchy or Dry Skin

When your body is trying to remove sugar, it pulls moisture from your cells to produce urine, which leads to dry skin.

Blurred Vision

When you have diabetes, the fluid levels in your body fluctuate, which can cause the lenses of your eyes to swell.

Unintentional Weight Loss

When your cells aren’t getting energy from what you eat, it starts to burn fat and muscle for energy.

Slow Healing Wounds

High blood sugar can interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds.

Numbness or Tingling

High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, causing numbness or tingling, usually in the feet.

Complications of Diabetes

When diabetes goes untreated or is not treated properly, serious complications can occur. Some complications require immediate medical attention.

These complications include:

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state

High blood sugar levels lead to dehydration and confusion.

Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA)

When the body has an insulin shortage and glucose can’t be used for energy, ketones are released, making the blood acidic. This can cause labored breathing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Hypoglycemia (severely low blood sugar)

Extremely low blood sugar can cause vision problems, clumsiness, disorientation, and seizures.

Diabetes can also cause many long-term complications including:

• Heart attack
• Coronary artery disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Stroke
• Nephropathy that leads to kidney failure
• Nerve damage
• Foot issues
• Retinopathy which can lead to blindness
• Skin infections
• Gastroparesis
• Amputations
• Hearing loss

Diabetes Treatment

Type 1 diabetes is treated by tracking blood sugar levels and taking insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes can usually be treated with oral medication. Both types require diet management as well. A diabetes diet involves avoiding extra carbohydrates and calories, maintaining a consistent diet, and eating at regular times.

Everyone’s specific dietary needs are different with diabetes. A dietician and your physician can help you to create a diet plan that fits your needs.

Diabetes Prevention

While some types of diabetes can’t be prevented because of their genetic causes, Type 2 diabetes may be preventable by living a healthy lifestyle. You should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. You should also get enough sleep, manage your stress levels, and avoid alcohol and nicotine.

Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

If you notice any symptoms of diabetes, see your doctor as soon as possible. If your diabetes is treated and managed properly, you can still have a normal quality of life. You just have to be mindful of following your doctor’s instructions and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.