Diabetes is not an alien term anymore. Everyone knows about this menace that causes blood sugar to rise to a dangerous level. However, it is important to understand that type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease. Out of all the preventable measures, educating oneself about the early symptoms of diabetes is the most vital thing that can help curb this endemic.

World Diabetes Day: "Education to protect tomorrow"

World diabetes day is celebrated every year on the 14th day of November. This year, the theme is "education to protect tomorrow". The theme centres around the prevention of diabetes through education. This approach will help in preventing the rise in the number of individuals suffering from diabetes and prediabetes. It is also important to educate all those already diagnosed with diabetes to effectively manage diabetes in the long run.

Early Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes

It is advisable to consult a diabetologist or visit a hospital if you notice the following early signs of diabetes.

• Excessive thirst: You may notice that you feel thirsty more than usual.
• Frequent urge to urinate: The number of times you visit the washroom increases significantly, especially during the night.
• Unexplained weight loss: People or near ones may notice that you are losing weight rapidly without any reason.
• Fatigue in daily activities: You may feel unduly tired and breathless during activities that were effortless earlier.
• Increased hunger: Along with thirst, you may experience hunger pangs anytime during the day, even after a wholesome meal.
• Blurry vision: Reading, writing, riding, or driving at night and difficulty in viewing an object or signboard from a distance may be experienced. Some people may also experience a loss of balance and anxiety in darkness.
• Dry and itchy skin: Your skin may show patches of dry skin with an increased urge to scratch, particularly the hands, fingers, shin, and feet.
• Dark skin: You may experience darkening of the skin, especially on the back of the neck and armpits (medically known as acanthosis nigricans).
• Tingling and numbness in hands and legs: This indicates nerve damage due to a rise in blood sugar affecting the nerves of the hands and legs. It can also lead to loss of balance and weakness in holding an object.

It is vital to understand here that these are some of the important signs and symptoms of diabetes and should not be considered conclusive of diabetes. Consulting a doctor and getting yourself checked for blood sugar levels will help diagnose diabetes more accurately.

India is considered the diabetes capital of the world. This is due to a huge number of people getting diagnosed at a later stage of the disease. Early symptoms of diabetes may go unnoticed, leading to long-term complications and suffering. Educating the masses on the early warning signs of diabetes may help reduce the impact of diabetes in our country. Consulting a doctor or visiting a hospital is vital in the accurate diagnosis of diabetes.

Consult An Apollo Diabetalogist

You can also manage your diabetes like a pro with Apollo 24|7's 12-week empower programme.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.