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Hidden Symptoms of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be a daunting disease, but it can be handled much more successfully if the symptoms are caught early on. Unfortunately, many undiagnosed diabetics tend to miss some of the earliest warning signs. Even if you don’t suspect that you’re at a high risk for diabetes yourself, being aware of the some the subtle signals definitely won’t hurt. Understanding what to look for in advance, you’ll be much less likely to be suffer from symptoms that have progressed too much. If you have a family history of diabetes, or if you simply want to err on the side of caution, the following are some of the hidden early symptoms of diabetes to look out for.

Slower Than Usual Healing Rate

One of the more subtle signs of diabetes, slow wound healing, may not always emerge unless given the opportunity. If you find minor small cuts or scrapes are taking longer than just a week or so to scab over and heal, then this is something that you would be wise to take note of.

Abnormal Infection Frequency

In addition to wounds taking slightly longer than normal to heal, undiagnosed diabetics occasionally also find that their wounds tend to get infected more easily than before. Make note of any small nicks that seem to become slightly yellowed and pus-filled even after taking a proper approach to disinfecting.

Inexplicable Weight Loss

If you find that you’ve recently lost a fair bit of weight without any particular change in diet or activity, this shouldn’t be ignored. While type 2 diabetes is typically associated with a sugar-heavy diet and obesity, it’s not necessarily synonymous with rapid weight gain. In a number of cases, undiagnosed diabetics have reported a particularly rapid rate of weight loss before having a medical professional determine their condition.

Slightly Foggy Eyesight

In some cases of type 2 diabetes, the eyes are affected before anything else. Unlike the slowed wound healing and increased susceptibility to infections, blurred eyesight is one of the more apparent early symptoms that may emerge. Be aware that the blurred vision you could experience doesn’t have to be completely debilitating, but if you find that it phases in and out from time to time, take note of just how often this occurs.

Persistent Thirst

Even if a undiagnosed diabetic does normally drink water throughout the day, the early stages of the disease can leave them feeling somewhat parched even after consistent hydration. You’ll be in the best position to detect this hidden symptom if you make an effort to stay regularly hydrated, which provides the body with a wide range of benefits in and of itself.

A Constant Feeling of Fatigue

Oftentimes, of the most problematic effects of an insulin problem in the body will be a lower overall energy level. If you’ve noticed that you’re feeling slightly sluggish or drained even after full nights of sleep, then this could be one of the clearest warning signs that you receive before the condition worsens. Make a point of monitoring your energy levels throughout the day on a scale of 1 to 10, and after you’ve done this for several consecutive days, see if the average rating tends to linger under 5.

Now What?

These hidden symptoms should not be taken as cause enough for an instant self-diagnosis of type 2 diabetes all on their own, but it pays to be aware of them all the same. If you find that several of these symptoms are manifesting at once, then you’ll certainly want to get in touch with a doctor to be safe.