what does diabetes feel like

ByHawya

Dear friend, today let’s delve into the topic of diabetes.

My childhood friend recently confided in me, describing how his life felt in disarray due to unexplained physical discomfort. His growing suspicion that he might have diabetes caused significant anxiety. This conversation sparked my interest, prompting me to explore this condition further with you.

Early Experiences of Diabetes

  • What does early-stage diabetes feel like?

    When I first became curious about diabetes, I wanted to understand its initial symptoms. Many individuals experience common warning signs.

Personally, I noticed unquenchable thirst – drinking glass after glass brought no relief. Frequent urination became disruptive, far exceeding my normal patterns. Persistent fatigue left me feeling drained, and unexpectedly, I began losing weight without changes to diet or exercise.

An elderly neighbour, previously healthy, started complaining of extreme thirst and needing to urinate constantly – even waking 3-4 times nightly. He felt constantly weak, became breathless after short walks, and lost weight noticeably. Initially dismissing it as aging, a medical checkup later revealed diabetes.

A helpful video I watched explained these common symptoms and their underlying causes, highlighting their potential seriousness.

  • What are the subtle feelings of undiagnosed early diabetes?

    Before diagnosis, I noticed subtle changes. Occasional blurred vision, which I initially thought was eye strain, turned out to be related to high blood sugar damaging delicate eye vessels.

I also experienced numbness and tingling in my limbs, later identified as early neuropathy. These were crucial early warning signs I wish I’d taken more seriously.

A neighbour’s child, who loved sweets, complained of blurry vision, initially thought to be short-sightedness. New glasses didn’t help. He also reported numbness and tingling in his hands and feet. Medical tests revealed early-stage diabetes, with the doctor stressing that delayed detection could worsen the condition. Pay attention to subtle bodily changes.

Identifying Diabetes

  • How can you tell if you have diabetes?

    Concerned I might have it, I researched key indicators:
    • Noticeably increased frequency of urination.
    • Persistent, intense thirst unrelieved by drinking.
    • Constant hunger, even after eating.
    • Overwhelming fatigue and lack of energy.
    • Blurred vision (initially mistaken for eye strain).
    • Slow-healing cuts or bruises.
    • Unexplained weight loss (common in Type 1, even with increased appetite).
    • Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands/feet (common in Type 2).

A colleague experiencing high work stress and irregular meals exhibited these signs: constant thirst, frequent urination, ravenous hunger despite eating, debilitating fatigue, and a small finger cut that took days to heal. A doctor confirmed diabetes.

Physical Sensations After Diagnosis

  • How does your body feel after a diabetes diagnosis?

    After my diagnosis, I understood the reasons behind my symptoms: unrelenting thirst, frequent urination, and exhausting fatigue became constant companions.

These symptoms occur because glucose remains trapped in the bloodstream, unavailable for energy. The body tries to expel excess sugar through urine, creating internal chaos as it struggles to manage the overload.

A relative diagnosed with diabetes felt dreadful: constant thirst despite drinking heavily, inconveniently frequent urination, and profound weakness making even short walks exhausting. He described feeling disconnected from his own body, lacking energy for anything.

Conditions Mistaken for Diabetes

  • What conditions might be confused with diabetes?

    Several conditions mimic diabetes symptoms:
    • Enlarged prostate (causes frequent urination).
    • Excessive caffeine intake (increases urination and thirst).
    • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI – causes frequent, uncomfortable urination).
    • Urethritis (urethral swelling/infection affecting urination).
    • Vaginitis (vaginal inflammation/infection with overlapping symptoms).
    • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (causes fatigue and dehydration).
    • Interstitial Cystitis (painful bladder syndrome with similar urinary symptoms).

A classmate’s father experienced frequent urination and feared diabetes. Medical tests revealed an enlarged prostate, not diabetes – a huge relief. Similar symptoms don’t always mean diabetes; proper medical evaluation is essential.

Feeling High Blood Sugar

  • How does high blood sugar feel?

    Experiencing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is unpleasant. Regardless of age, it causes intense, unquenchable thirst, persistent hunger even after meals, debilitating fatigue, and a strong, frequent urge to urinate with increased volume. Your body is desperately trying to flush out excess sugar.

A friend felt awful after a party where he ate excessive sweets: insatiable thirst, hunger despite being full, severe weakness, and frequent urination. A glucose meter showed dangerously high levels, requiring urgent medical attention and dietary changes.

Self-Testing for Diabetes

  • Can I test for diabetes myself at home?

    I hoped for a self-test option. Using a home finger-prick kit showed high glucose, but I learned this *cannot* confirm diabetes. Finger-prick tests or CGM data only provide indications.

Laboratory blood tests (like HbA1c or fasting plasma glucose) are required for diagnosis. Normal lab results mean you likely don’t have diabetes.

A colleague panicked after a home kit showed high glucose. Hospital blood tests revealed a single reading wasn’t conclusive; further monitoring was needed. Self-testing is for guidance only, not diagnosis.

Diabetic Hunger

  • What is diabetic hunger like?

    I experienced polyphagia – extreme, insatiable hunger regardless of food intake. Initially mistaken for a good appetite, it’s a classic diabetic symptom.

However, conditions like hyperthyroidism or atypical depression can also cause this. Persistent extreme hunger warrants a doctor’s visit.

A friend constantly hungry and losing weight assumed it was work stress. Diagnosis revealed hyperthyroidism, not diabetes. Always investigate the cause.

Diabetes Neck (Acanthosis Nigricans)

  • What is “Diabetes Neck”?

    I noticed dark, velvety skin patches in body folds (neck, armpits, groin), sometimes on hands, elbows, or knees. This is acanthosis nigricans.

Diabetes can cause skin infections or these pigmentation changes. Seeing them was alarming but highlighted a potential problem.

My cousin developed a dark, velvety patch on her neck, initially thought to be a tan. As it worsened and became itchy, a doctor identified acanthosis nigricans and recommended glucose testing, leading to her diabetes diagnosis. Skin changes matter.

Itching Caused by Diabetes

  • Where does diabetes cause itching?

    I experienced itching, particularly on my lower legs, potentially linked to diabetes. Causes include yeast infections, dry skin, or poor circulation.

Circulation-related itching often targets the lower calves. Moisturizers or OTC creams might help, but it can be stubborn.

My diabetic aunt suffered intense lower leg itching, especially at night, disrupting sleep. Moisturizers failed; doctors diagnosed poor diabetic circulation as the cause. Treatment and glucose control brought relief.

The Three Classic Symptoms of Diabetes

  • What are the three classic symptoms?

    The “Three Polys”:
    • Polyuria: Frequent urination (I know it well).
    • Polydipsia: Excessive thirst (constantly needing water).
    • Polyphagia: Excessive hunger.

These often occur together with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), though not always. Experiencing them prompted me to seek testing.

My uncle had all three: urinating over ten times daily, constant thirst requiring large water intake, and persistent hunger. Diagnosis confirmed diabetes. Don’t ignore these signs.

Testing Blood Sugar Without Equipment

  • Can I test for diabetes at home without instruments?

    I wondered about natural detection methods. However, there are currently no reliable, instrument-free ways to accurately detect diabetes.

The best approach is a diabetes blood screening by a doctor, typically including HbA1c and fasting glucose tests.

A friend tried unproven methods like observing urine colour or smell. They were inaccurate and caused delay. Reliable diagnosis requires medical blood tests.

Early Warning Signs of Diabetes

  • What are the early warning signs?

    Key early indicators include:
    • Increased urination frequency, especially nocturia (nighttime waking).
    • Persistent, excessive thirst (always carrying water).
    • Unexplained weight loss (initially seeming positive).
    • Constant hunger, even after meals.
    • Blurred vision (frustrating and disruptive).
    • Tingling, numbness, or pain in hands/feet (don’t ignore this).
    • Persistent, overwhelming fatigue (reducing capacity).
    • Very dry, itchy skin requiring excessive moisturizer.

A colleague’s mother experienced frequent nocturia (3-4 times nightly), constant daytime thirst, unexplained weight loss (mistaken for successful dieting), blurred vision, and occasional numbness. Testing revealed prediabetes. Early detection is crucial to prevent progression.

Detecting Diabetes by Smell

  • Can you smell diabetes?

    Poorly controlled diabetes can alter body odor. Breath or skin might develop a fruity or acetone-like smell (similar to nail polish remover). Noticing an unusual odor myself increased my concern about control.

A fellow patient described a strange, sometimes fruity, sometimes sharp smell on his body. Fearing worsening control, he sought medical help. Adjusting his treatment plan resolved the odor. Unusual smells warrant attention.

Diabetes in Lean Individuals

  • Can thin people get diabetes?

    I mistakenly believed only overweight individuals developed diabetes. While weight is a risk factor, normal-weight or lean individuals, especially younger people, can develop “lean diabetes.” Diabetes risk exists regardless of weight.

A slim, health-conscious young woman experienced increasing thirst and frequent urination. Assuming she just drank a lot, she delayed action. Worsening symptoms led to a diabetes diagnosis. Doctors note rising lean diabetes cases; don’t dismiss risk based on weight.

Post-Meal Sensations for Diabetics

  • How do diabetics feel after eating?

    I sometimes feel unwell after meals – nausea, heartburn, or bloating. While common digestive issues, for diabetics they can signal gastroparesis.

High blood sugar can cause gastroparesis – delayed stomach emptying. Diabetes damages stomach nerves, slowing or halting digestion. This discomfort can make eating daunting.

My diabetic uncle experienced severe post-meal bloating, nausea, and heartburn. Initially attributing it to food, medication didn’t help. Diagnosis confirmed diabetic gastroparesis. Treatment adjustments and smaller, frequent meals improved his symptoms. Diabetics should report persistent post-meal issues.

Is Diabetes Curable?

  • Can diabetes be cured?

    I long for a complete cure. While no cure currently exists, most people can achieve diabetes remission through diligent blood sugar control, potentially reaching a point where medication isn’t needed.

Maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits is key to managing the condition. It’s challenging, but it offers hope for a normal life.

A severely diabetic friend, reliant on daily medication, committed to lifestyle change: regular exercise and strict low-sugar, low-fat eating. His glucose control improved significantly, allowing medication reduction. While not cured, achieving remission through effort brought immense satisfaction. Proactive management makes control possible.

Lowering Blood Sugar Quickly

  • How can I lower high blood sugar fast?

    The fastest way to lower very high blood sugar is rapid-acting insulin injection. However, persistently high readings require urgent medical attention.

Severe hyperglycemia, especially with low insulin levels, can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) – a life-threatening emergency demanding immediate care.

A fellow diabetic injected rapid-acting insulin for a sudden spike, but levels remained high. He felt increasingly ill – dizzy, nauseous, intensely thirsty. Recognizing danger, he went to the hospital. Doctors confirmed impending DKA, requiring emergency treatment and hospitalization. High blood sugar demands correct, prompt action.

Urine Color in Diabetes

  • What color is a diabetic’s urine?

    I noticed my urine sometimes appeared very pale or clear. This can indicate several conditions, including diabetes, kidney issues, or diuretic medication use. It’s another aspect to be mindful of concerning diabetes.