FAQ'S-signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus 2020.

In this article we will bust some myths of diabetes mellitus and answer some frequently asked questions about signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus in 2020.

Must read-signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus & hypoglycemia

1. What are the early signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus?

The early signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus are
Polyuria – Frequent urination.
Polydypsia – Increased thirst
Polyphagia – Always feeling hungry
Fatigue – Feeling very tired
Blurred vision
Wounds and cuts heal slowly
neuropathy – Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
acanthosis nigricans – Patches of dark skin in armpit.

2. What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus are-

Polyuria – Frequent urination.
Polydipsia – Increased thirst
Polyphagia – Always feeling hungry
Fatigue – Feeling very tired
Blurred vision
Wounds and cuts heal slowly
neuropathy – Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
acanthosis nigricans – Patches of dark skin in armpit.

3. Can you have diabetes and not know it?

You may have diabetes and not know about it. If anyone in your family has diabetes then you are at a risk of getting diabetes,and you need to get your blood sugar levels checked.
It is adviced to visit your doctor who can check your blood sugar levels after age of 30 at frequent intervals.
If you have any signs or symptoms of diabetes you can visit your doctor before age of 30.

4.Can I test myself for diabetes?

yes it is possible for you to test yourself for diabetes. Blood glucose levels can be checked with a glucometer.
You will have to see a doctor who will check your blood sugar levels if you don’t have access to glucometer.

5. What Colour is a diabetic urine?

There is no specific colour change of urine in diabetes mellitus. Since there is polyuria the colour of urine will be colourless and odourless.
If the diabetic does not drink enough water colour of urine will be brown , and since glucose is lost in urine will be sweet.

6. How do you confirm diabetes mellitus?

Hb A1c – it is used to check the blood glucose levels over last 3-6 months.
Random blood sugar levels A blood sample will be taken at a random time.
Fasting blood sugar levels. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast.
Oral glucose tolerance levels. For this test, you fast overnight, and the fasting blood sugar level is measured.
Urine glucose levels can be checked with dipstick, ideally glucose levels should be nil in urine.

7. What happens if diabetes mellitus goes undiagnosed?

If diabetes goes undiagnosed it can lead to some serious complications such as:

ACUTE-1)DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
- 2)HYPERGLYCEMIA HYPEROSMOLAR STATE
- 3)HYPOGLYCEMIA
- 4)DIABETIC COMA
CHRONIC– MICROANGIOPATHY- diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy,
- MACROVASCULAR- brain stroke, heart attack
- IMPAIRED IMMUNE RESPONSE– wound heal slower, and may lead to non healing ulcers.

8. Can diabetes go away?

Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder and if left untreated or uncontrolled can cause complications.There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed.
With medication and lifestyle modifications diabetes can be controlled and person can live normal and healthy life. But if he continues or switches back to his unhealthy life style and does not take proper care then diabetes can be back.

9. Can diabetes mellitus come on suddenly?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition and it develops gradually.
Symptom arises when there is lack of insulin in the body, blood glucose levels rise quickly and may cause serious complications.
Person feels dizzy and might become unconscious.
Extreme weakness or tiredness. Extreme dehydration.

10. What does a diabetic attack feel like?

Diabetes is comonly known as “lifestyle disease”, is associated with high blood sugar and the inability to heal properly. A person having a Diabetes Attack might become dizzy, become anxious, weak, and also lead to unconsiousness or diabetic coma.

11.How long can you live with diabetes mellitus and not know it?

According to iceberg phenomenon most of the diabetes mellitus cases go undiagnosed and unnoticed for very long time and come to surface only when complications arise.
This makes early detection and diagnosis in high risk individuals and all people above age 30 very important.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been detected for the first time in individuals even at age 60+.

12. Does diabetes mellitus cause weight gain?

Diabetes is associated with bad lifestyle, eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.
As a result diabetes and obesity/weight gain go hand in hand.
Type 2 Diabetics are usually obese with lots of fat around belly and waist.
They are advised to lose weight as treatment of diabetes depends on it.

13. Can a healthy individual get diabetes?

Yes, any healthy individual can get diabetes.

This is because diabetes like type 1 diabetes occurs due to autoimmune destruction of beta cells of pancreas which produce insulin.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs because of bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

14. What should you do if you think you have diabetes?

If you think you have type2 diabetes, you should do visit a doctor and get your blood sugar level checked.
He will advice you to do dietary changes, weight control, and exercise.
Doctor may add oral hypoglycemics like metformin.Which will reduce the level of blood glucose.

15.How does diabetes affect a man sexually?

Studies show that men with diabetes often have, erectile dysfunction (ED) and low testosterone levels which can affect their sex drive.
There is general fatigue and decreased libido.

16. Is itching a sign and symptom of diabetes mellitus?

Diabetics have polyneuropathy which causes tingling,pain and numbness in the individual.
They cant feel touch ,pressure ,pricks and therefore are at constant risk for getting infection, cuts and ulcers .infections occurring on skin in diabetes cause itching and therefore itching is a sign of possible diabetes in the individual.

17. Can eating too much sugar cause diabetes?

Excess sugar in diet results in insulin resistance and excess sugar is converted by body to fats,which gets deposited in stubborn areas of body like belly and waist.
Insulin resistance is prime reason for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetics are advised to decrease their sugar intake.

18. Does diabetes cause leg pain?

Diabetes mellitus can lead to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Which causes pain, burning, tingling, and numbness in arms and legs.
Even though blood glucose is high, glucose is not utilised by muscles of the body as this is the pathology in diabetes mellitus.
This leads to lactic acidosis in patients causing pain and cramps in arma and legs of the patient.