If symptoms do appear, the most common warning signs include intense thirst, frequent urge to urinate, dry and itchy skin, wounds that are difficult to heal, persistent infections, weakness, fatigue, and vision problems.
By the way: Type 1 diabetes develops much more quickly than type 2 diabetes, often in just a few weeks. Therefore, the symptoms will be visible immediately – that is, when most of the pancreatic cells are damaged. Anyone who observes the symptoms mentioned above should consult a doctor.
Many people who hear the term diabetes also think: “It’s not that bad. It’s just a little insulin missing.” But that’s wrong. If left untreated, diabetes will permanently destroy blood vessels. The risk of stroke and heart attack increases. Heart attacks are one of the most common causes of death for people with diabetes because high sugar levels cause hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis).
There is a risk of eye and kidney damage, as well as nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy). Nerve damage to the feet, for example, is a common reason for amputation. Depression is even more common in diabetes sufferers.
If the value increases sharply, the patient is at risk of developing a diabetic coma. Low blood sugar levels also pose a risk for diabetes sufferers. Then there is a risk of hypoglycemic shock and the patient losing consciousness. Therefore, it is very important to regulate blood sugar levels properly.
Doctors recommend that you check your blood sugar levels regularly from the age of 45. If there is an increased risk of diabetes, even earlier. This applies, for example, to people who are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.
With proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle, long-term effects can be delayed. Many patients can return their blood sugar levels to a normal range simply by adopting a health-promoting lifestyle.
