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Health & Symptoms of Diabetes

The symptoms and long-term health effects of diabetes are very life altering. According to the iVillage Health website, diabetes can lead to heart attacks, stroke and even blindness. The American Diabetes Association says, the main symptoms associated with diabetes are frequent urination, slow healing and excessive thirst.

  1. Excessive Thirst

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive thirst is caused by high blood glucose levels which is a sign of diabetes. The excess sugar in your system causes your kidneys to become overworked. This causes the body to become dehydrated. Drinking fluids is essential for good health, but when you are constantly thirsty, you may have diabetes.

    Slow Healing

    • According to the American Diabetes Association, another sign of diabetes is slow healing. Diabetics have a weakened immune system so their bodies do not heal as quickly. Bruises, cuts and scrapes become more of an issue for some diabetics because improper treatment can result in amputation.

    Frequent urination

    • Another symptom of diabetes is frequent urination. Excess thirst leads to more frequent urination. Controlling the diabetes with medications should cause both symptoms to subside.

    Weight Loss or Gain

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, weight loss is another health effect of diabetes. Losing sugar through excess urine causes some people to lose additional calories. However, some people who are diabetic will actually gain weight because the urinating excess sugar causes the cells to crave more sugar, resulting in excessive hunger. An increased appetite leads to overeating and weight gain.

    Vision Problems

    • Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina from diabetes. Small blood vessels and arteries become damaged from prolonged inadequate blood glucose. High blood sugar levels causes the flexibility and structure of the lens to become distorted. This damage causes several vision problems such as blurry vision. Every diabetic is affected differently. Some people experience cloudy or double vision while others report seeing floaters (specks) in their line of vision.

    Numbness in hands, legs or feet

    • Over time high blood glucose levels can also damage the nervous system. When this happens diabetics experience numbness in their hands, feet or legs. This feeling is also described as pins and needles. However, once a person knows they have diabetes, they can control this symptom by taking insulin shots.

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