Diabetes Self-Check List

Healthcare advice: read our diabetes self-check list

Our healthcare professionalshave rounded up a list of symptoms and signs to look out for if you suspect that you have diabetes:

• Noticeable increase of thirst and urination: One of the most common and detectable symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination and excessive thirst. Excessive secretion of fluids by the kidney makes the body dehydrated, causing a need for essential amounts of fluid to be put back into our body.
• Abnormal increase of appetite: Insulin levels in our blood fluctuate rapidly and essentially is not in a normal state. Due to this, the cells in our body do not get the essential amount og energy required to perform daily activities at our normal speed. This in turn results in unusual hunger, the body’s way of requesting more supplies in order to regain energy.
• Sudden weight loss: When the body is not able to effectively absorb glucose and frequent urination commences, you will notice rapid weight loss without any effort from the person affected. Losing weight in this way in unhealthy and could have lasting effects.
• Fatigue and mental exertion: The inability of glucose to enter the body’s cells due to diabetes results in a lack of energy supply in the body, leading to irritation and tiredness.
• Inability/slowness for wounds to heal: Minor wounds may take longer or never completely heal when you suffer with diabetes. The weakened immune system is not as effective when healing the smallest injury and cuts should not be taken for granted. A common issue that women face is observed in cases of bladder and vaginal infections.
• Blurry vision: Abnormal increase in the glucose levels weakens and damages our blood vessels, leaving our eyes dry from the minimal amount of fluid in the lenses of the eye. Distorted vision, seeing floaters or occasional flashes of light if left unattended can cause blurred vision and/or blindness.
• Dry skin: Peripheral neuropathy, which means “the circulation and proper functioning of sweat glands,” is compromised, resulting in dry and itchy skin.
• Tingling or numbness in hands, legs or feet: When our sugar levels rise it causes damage to the blood vessels leading to loss of sensation in our hands and feet. You may also notice a burning sensation in the arms, hands and feet due to loss of motor nerve fiber.
• Skin problems: Itchy skin can be a warning sign of diabetes and is caused by dry skin and/or poor circulation. Darkening around the armpit or neck area is also an early warning sign of diabetes.
• Yeast infections: Diabetes is considered an immune-suppressed state, which means there is an increased susceptibility to a variety of infections, the most common being yeast (candida) and other fungal infections, because bacteria and fungi thrive in sugar-plenty environments. As a woman, if you are experiencing more usual-than-not vaginal candida infections, please visit your physician.

How to test for diabetes?

Blood Tests

Several tests used are repeated to determine if diabetes is present. The fasting glucose test checks your blood sugar after 8 hours of not eating any foods. Blood glucose above 126 mg per deciliter (mg/dL) tested and confirmed twice means you likely have diabetes. The normal is 99mg/dL while levels from 100 to 125mg/dL are considered pre-diabetes, which is as serious as the full-blown condition.

Other Tests

Other tests to check for diabetes, glucose levels and diagnose symptoms of diabetes are available to further investigate.

Download Diabetes Self-Check List PDFfrom Qualicare Franchise Corporation

Many people who suffer from diabetes invest in extra healthcare services. Get in touch with Qualicare to find out how we can help you.