Diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes, is a lifestyle disease that has invaded the modern day lifestyle. Lack of proper nutrition, absence of portion control, and failure to exercise adds up to this debilitating and life threatening condition that is taken far too lightly by far too many. Additionally, unawareness about diabetes symptoms and late detection make diabetes an even tougher prospect to beat. To help you understand diabetes symptoms and check them well in time, today Dr Sanjiv Bhambani - Consultant, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Moolchand Medcity - gives us the top 10 diabetes symptoms. If you suspect any of these symptoms for yourself or loved ones, consult a doctor today...

1. Disproportionate increase of thirst and urination: Excessive thirst and frequent urination is one most commonly noticed symptom among diabetics. Due to high secretion of fluids by the kidney, the body becomes dehydrated and starts craving for the essential amount of fluid to function properly.

2. Excessive hunger: As the insulin level in the blood is disproportionate, body cells do not get energy to perform day-to day activities. Thus, the body may react by trying to find more energy, resulting in unusual hunger.   

3. Sudden weight loss: Fluctuation in weight without any efforts like exercise or diet management could be a ringing alarm for diabetes. Due to the body’s incapability to absorb glucose and frequent urination, the patient (usually of type I diabetes) loses weight at a faster rate.

4. Fatigue: In diabetic patients, glucose is unable to enter into the cells of the body and due to decreased supply of energy in the body, the patient feels tired and irritated.

5. Slow-healing wounds: For patients suffering from diabetes even a minor scratch or wound takes a long time to heal due to the impaired immune system of the body.  In women, bladder and vaginal infections are especially common.

6. Blurred vision: High levels of glucose damages blood vessels and pulls fluid from the lenses of eyes and affect the ability to see and if ignored for a long time can even cause blindness.

7. Dry skin: Dry or itchy skin may result from peripheral neuropathy which affects circulation and proper functioning of sweat gland function.

8. Tingling hands and feet: Excess blood sugar levels damages blood vessels and nerves. This leads to a loss of sensation in the hands and feet, as well as a burning pain in your arms, hands, legs and feet due to loss of motor nerve fiber.

9. More skin and/or yeast infections: High glucose levels result in slower recover from infections. Women with diabetes find it especially difficult to recover from bladder and vaginal infections.

10. Headaches

“Diabetes is a serious condition that kills more people than other deadly diseases like AIDS and cancer.  If the above mentioned symptoms are identified soon, then treatment can be started early.  Thus, one is advised to follow an active lifestyle that includes adequate exercise, on a daily basis, as well as healthy eating habits.” - Dr Sanjiv Bhambani