Whether you have just found out that you have diabetes or you are looking for the signs, it is important to know that there are several things that you can look out for. Some of the first signs that you may have are dry mouth, excessive thirst, and nerve damage. You can also experience numbness in your hands and feet. You may also experience kidney damage.
Symptoms of dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can be one of the first symptoms of diabetes. Saliva plays a vital role in digestion, as it neutralizes acid in the mouth and helps wash away harmful bacteria. Without enough saliva, your teeth are more likely to suffer from cavities and gum disease.
A dry mouth can lead to other oral problems, including oral thrush, which can cause redness and white patches on your tongue. It can also result in gum disease, sores, and plaque build-up.
Dry mouth can be managed and can be prevented if you take proper care of your teeth. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. You should also avoid tobacco, alcohol, and spicy foods.
There are several medications available to treat dry mouth. Some of these include pilocarpine, a drug that works by stimulating saliva production. Pilocarpine is usually prescribed at a dosage of 5 milligrams three times a day. Other medications include cevimeline, which is usually prescribed at a dosage of 30 milligrams three times a day.
Aside from medications, you can also use saliva substitutes, such as mouthwashes or gels. However, these products may not provide consistent relief. They do, however, offer temporary relief.
You should also keep track of your blood glucose levels. High blood sugar levels can lead to a number of health problems, including kidney damage and heart disease.
Symptoms of diabetes can be difficult to identify, and excessive thirst can be a particularly tricky one. When a person has diabetes, it can affect both their kidneys and pancreas, which mean that they may need to take certain medication to keep their sugar levels in check.
Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent this from happening. For example, you can monitor your blood sugar level using a blood glucose meter or a continuous glucose monitor. You can also drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
Using these methods can help reduce your glucose levels. However, you may also want to consult with your doctor or health team about any questions you may have. They can help you find a solution that is right for you.
A diabetes-induced rundown can be very dangerous, and it is important to stay hydrated when you are sick. You can also take steps to make sure you have a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Getting plenty of rest is also important.
You may be surprised to find out that thirst is actually a common symptom of diabetes. The reason for this is that your body is working hard to keep your sugar levels in check. Specifically, your kidneys are filtering excess glucose out of your blood.
You may feel thirsty after a meal, and you may also need to drink a lot of fluids when you are sick. You can also avoid drinking coffee or alcohol to lessen your thirst.
Symptoms of numbness in the hands and feet are common in people who are suffering from diabetes. This is because nerves get damaged as a result of high blood sugar. People with uncontrolled diabetes are at a greater risk of having foot problems. If left untreated, nerve damage may result in ulcers, infections, and amputations.
Diabetics should inspect their feet daily. If they notice any signs of foot damage, they should see their health care team right away. A doctor may prescribe medications to slow the damage and treat the condition.
Diabetics with peripheral neuropathy may experience blisters, sores, or tingling in their feet. They also may experience hot or cold sensations. Some people also experience pain at night, and it may be difficult for them to sleep.
People with diabetic neuropathy may also experience pain in their hands. They may also experience cold and hot sensations in the hands. If this occurs, the condition is called polyneuropathy. The condition gradually affects the nerves, starting with the longest ones first.
The pain can be mild or severe. If it becomes severe, the patient may need to have a pacemaker implanted. The numbness can hide the formation of a foot ulcer, which can become very painful and cause amputation.
People who have numbness in their feet may also have problems with their circulation. Seeing a podiatrist can help diagnose and treat this condition. He or she may perform a physical exam or refer you to a neurologist.
Whether you are new to diabetes or you are just having trouble managing it, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with kidney damage. Although most people do not end up with kidney failure, the damage can cause problems with other parts of the body. It can also cause you to feel depressed or angry.
Kidney damage can be caused by either type of diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes have a higher incidence of kidney damage than those with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 patients also have other factors that can contribute to high blood pressure and kidney damage.
The common first sign of kidney damage is a small amount of albumin in your urine. This is known as microalbuminuria. It may occur before the kidney has been damaged, but it does indicate that there is a problem.
As kidney damage progresses, more and more wastes are deposited in the blood. This accumulation of toxins can lead to itchy, dry, and foul-smelling skin. You can prevent this from happening by eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and taking steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
If you have diabetes, your doctor will probably screen you for kidney disease at annual appointments. You can also check your urine for wastes. The main waste product in your blood is creatinine. For many people with diabetes, their goal is to keep this number below seven percent.
Among the many complications associated with diabetes, neuropathy is one of the most common. It occurs in 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes. It may appear in different parts of the body, but it's most common in the feet. It can also cause serious complications, including amputation.
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar interferes with the ability of nerves to send signals. It can occur in the legs, feet, arms, and other parts of the body. It may also affect the body's ability to control blood pressure and temperature. It can also affect the digestive tract and sex organs.
Depending on the type of neuropathy, it can cause numbness, pain, or other symptoms. It may also disrupt your body's ability to control sweat glands. It can also lead to sores that do not heal. It can also cause you to lose sensation in your toes.
It's important to get help as soon as you suspect you have nerve damage. Getting treatment early can help lower your risk of serious infection or gangrene.
A physical exam and nerve conduction studies may help diagnose your condition. Your doctor will check your heart rate, blood pressure, muscle strength, and sensitivity to changes in temperature and position. He or she will also check for any foot injuries.
If your doctor suspects nerve damage, you may be prescribed pain medications. You may also be advised to increase the salt in your diet.
Among the many problems that diabetes can cause, eye damage is one of the most common. Diabetic eye disease is a disease that causes damage to the retina, a layer of tissue at the back of the eye. It is the part of the eye that senses light and transforms it into nerve signals. In some cases, the retina can be damaged to such a degree that the eye can no longer process color and light.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of diabetic eye disease. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid into surrounding tissues. This can cause blurry vision and distorted images. In severe cases, this leakage may cause vision loss.
Another common type of diabetic eye disease is macular edema. This happens when fluid builds up in the macula, the part of the retina that provides the best vision. This swelling may be permanent, but it is usually reversible.
The best way to prevent diabetes-related eye problems is to manage your blood sugar and blood pressure. Your primary care physician should provide you with regular retinal screenings to detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage.
In advanced stages, laser eye surgery can shrink abnormal blood vessels. This can prevent them from leaking into the vitreous, a clear jelly-like substance at the back of the eye. In some cases, laser treatment can also prevent new blood vessels from forming at the back of the eye.