It is currently estimated that 422 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputation, as well as being one of the leading causes of death; According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in America in 2019, 244,084 deaths due to diabetes were reported.
Given the incidence, prevalence and mortality, diabetes today is considered a disease of great importance for public health worldwide. Given this, it is essential that the general population know the basic information regarding this pathology, therefore, today we are going to tell you regarding the key symptoms that can be an indication of this disease, as well as what you should do to present these symptoms, take note!
What is the diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) metabolic disease characterized by inappropriately high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels resulting from a disturbance in the system that controls glucose levels. In the long run, this hyperglycemia leads to damage to various organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
In general, the alteration that occurs in the body so that normal blood glucose control cannot be carried out is a deficiency or alteration in the production or use of insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar, from food, enter the cells from the blood to be used as energy and not remain in this vital fluid.
What are the key signs that give away diabetes?
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy indica Although diabetes sometimes presents asymptomatically at first, in general, the initial symptoms of the disease are related to hyperglycemia and include:
- Polyuria: “Abnormal” production of large volumes of urine, this is accompanied by the need to urinate very frequently, and also during the night.
- Polydipsia: Excessive thirst.
- Polyphagia: Abnormal increase in the sensation of hunger.
It can also present:
- Blurry vision.
- Weight loss without trying, that is, not related to diet or exercise.
- Very tired or drowsy.
- Dry skin due to dehydration.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) they add that people who have type 1 diabetes can also have nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, which can occur in as little as a few weeks or months and can be severe. This type of diabetes is common in children, adolescents, or young adults.
For its part, those of type 2 diabetes, the most common of all, generally appear over several years and can be present for a long time without being noticed (sometimes there will be no noticeable symptoms). This disease usually appears in adults, although today it occurs more frequently in children, adolescents, and young adults.
What should I do if I have noticed that these symptoms are present?
It is essential to take into account that, although these symptoms are very important indications of diabetes, it is necessary to carry out an assessment with a health specialist, this person has the power to carry out a pertinent review, relate the symptoms to their own evaluation and send to carry out the pertinent laboratory tests, without which a diagnosis of diabetes cannot be given.
Take into account that what is presented in this article is informative, so if you have abnormal symptoms, consult your treating physician or other health specialist. Remember not to fall into self-diagnosis.
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