Five tell-tale signs of diabetes that are often overlooked
1. Dark spots on the skin
Diabetics often have discoloration of the skin, predominantly under the armpits and on the back of the head. Such dark keratosis is associated with changes in blood vessels. Skin that has changed color feels different from other places on the body to the touch.
In diabetic angiopathy, excess blood sugar damages the walls of blood vessels, which means that epithelial cells, keratinocytes, are less nourished and unable to divide and regenerate properly. The result is a change in pigmentation and thickening of the epidermis.
2. Uncontrollable outbursts of anger
Where can a good mood come from if there is no adequate treatment? This is with fluctuations in blood sugar levels – its constant rise and fall. So, the brain cannot effectively use the glucose that circulates in the blood, and its tissues are not fed enough. Therefore, many patients with diabetes may experience anxiety, irritability, confusion, and anger.
3. Intimate problems
Type II diabetes greatly weakens the immune system, and this increases the susceptibility to fungal infections of the vagina and penis. For women, sex can be painful and uncomfortable due to non-fungal intimate infections, as well as vaginal dryness.
Women with diabetes are also more susceptible to frequent urinary tract infections, which can cause them severe discomfort during intercourse. And diabetes in men can reduce libido and lead to erectile dysfunction.
4. Tingling in the legs
Due to excess glucose circulating in the blood, neuropathy occurs – nerve damage that manifests itself in tingling or pain, which is most often felt in the legs. In this case, tingling or numbness in the foot is often attributed to poor position or pressure on the nerve, although such an alarming symptom indicates nerve damage.
Due to poor blood supply, the foot gradually becomes dry, the skin begins to crack there, ulcers or injuries may occur on it, which can lead to amputation.
5. Sweetish-sour breath
Sweetish-sour breath is considered one of the most dangerous complications – sometimes it is a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs due to a significant deficiency of insulin. So, when it is absent, the body cannot take glucose from the blood, and the cells look for an energy source in adipose tissue, breaking down fats.
With this process, ketone bodies are produced – they accumulate in the liver and disrupt vital processes. The body tries to remove them with the help of the lungs. Therefore, one of the symptoms of acidosis is a strange smell from the mouth.
The main symptoms of diabetes:
- excessive urination
- thirst
- constant feeling of hunger
- weight loss
- fatigue
- visual impairment.
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