Diabetes Symptoms

The symptoms are quickly relieved once diabetes is treated, which also reduce the chances of developing serious health problems. However, there are certain symptoms that can be commonly seen, such as:

• Blood sugar is poorly controlled (remains above 250 mg/dl)
• You develop symptoms when your blood sugar levels are below normal levels (less than 60 mg/dl), such as giddiness, uneasiness, excessive sweating, confusion and headache
• Delayed wound healing
• Numbness or tingling feelings in hands or feet
• Blurring of vision
• Recurrent infections
• Excessive tiredness
• Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
• Polyuria (frequent urination)
• Polyphegia (increased hunger)
• Obesity

Living with diabetes

Diabetes is more about management than cure. Good diabetes management is the cornerstone of living with this condition. In type 1 diabetes, the prognosis (treatment outcomes) can be improved with good blood sugar control. Maintaining a tight blood sugar control has been proven to prevent, slow the progression of, and even improve established complications.

Type 2 diabetes can be managed with excellent glycaemic control, tight blood pressure control, and keeping ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) at the recommended level of < 100 mg/dL (or lower, particularly if other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are present) and the ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol as high as possible.

Complications

The following complications may arise out of diabetes:

• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Blindness
• Non-healing wounds
• Carbuncles (a severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin)
• Loss of sensation—tingling and numbness
• Cellulitis— an inflammation of body tissue (especially that below the skin)
• Gangrene (localised death and decomposition of body tissue)
• Candidiasis (infection with candida, especially causing oral or vaginal thrush)
• Decreased sexual drive/ libido
• Renal failure (kidney failure)