Posted January 4, 2012 in Health

Catching the early signs of approaching diabetes can allow you to adjust your diet and lifestyle in order to avoid this growing disease and its life-changing complications. Those who identify with three or more of the following list should read our plan about reversing diabetes naturally and see their doctor for a Glucose Insulin Tolerance Test (GITT).

Frequent Urination

If you finding yourself taking more bathroom breaks than usual, it may be that your body is attempting to remove excess sugar (glucose) in the kidneys. What happens is that when the hormone insulin is less effective at moving glucose in the kidneys back into the blood, the kidneys will dilute this excess glucose with water that it pulls out of the blood. This results in frequent urination and our next symptom…

Excessive Thirst

With the body excreting a large amount of water through urination, it’s only logical that thirst will increase to compensate.

Sudden Weight Loss

If this symptom occurs along with the first two items above, it could be sign of impending type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when there is no insulin being produced and often stems from an inflamed pancreas or an autoimmune attack of the pancreas. Sudden weight loss results because there is no insulin to store or utilize the energy from food, forcing the body to burn fat and muscle for energy.

Lethargy

Lack of energy can result from the inability to metabolize glucose in the blood. One of insulin’s roles is to move glucose from the blood into cells so they can burn it for energy. When this system is running poorly, the cells cannot utilize glucose for fuel and fatigue will set in.

Neuropathy

If you are experiencing numbness or tingling in the extremities, such as the hands, feet, or legs, then your body may have elevated blood sugar. Neuropathy, or diabetic neuropathy, occurs when high levels of glucose in the blood erode the nervous system.

Blurred Vision

Blurry vision can result from damaged retinal cells or a damaged macula due to the affects of high glucose levels. The retina is composed of light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye and is responsible for vision while the macula is found at the center of the retina and is responsible seeing details and things at close range.

Poor Wound Healing

In diabetics, over 100 known physiologic factors contribute to poor wound healing, including impaired growth factor production, collagen accumulation, and epidermal barrier function. [1]

Unhealthy Gums

If your gums are enlarged, tender, or receding, it's a potential sign of diabetes. This is because diabetics generally have a higher rate of infection which is most noticeable in the gums.

Discolored Spots on the Shins

Known as dermopathy, these spots appear as either red or brownish-red and may be confused with age spots. They are thought to be caused by diabetes’ affect on the small blood vessels in the skin.

Skin Tags

Research has shown a correlation between insulin resistance and skin tags [2], and while skin tags by themselves are not a red flag, they should be considered when other items on this list are present.

References

[1] J Clin Invest. 2007 May 1; 117(5): 1219–1222.
[2] An. Bras. Dermatol. vol.85 no.1 Rio de Janeiro Jan./Feb. 2010

The information presented is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease. Please speak with your doctor before starting any diet, exercise, or supplement program.

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