One of the silent chronic diseases threatening Thai people is “Diabetes” because this disease often develops quietly, gradually forming until we forget to notice our body. If you do not pay attention to your health, do not exercise, and eat according to your cravings, especially frequently eating sweet foods, this alone may cause diabetes.
What exactly causes diabetes?
“Diabetes” is caused by the pancreas’s defect in producing insulin and abnormalities in the process of converting sugar into energy, resulting in the accumulation of high blood sugar levels. Besides being diabetes and causing many other chronic diseases, diabetes is currently one of the factors that make COVID-19 patients experience severe symptoms and even death.
In addition to checking blood sugar levels, we can also observe symptoms to consider the risk of diabetes from the following signs.
Warning signs… risk of “diabetes”
- Frequent urination
Due to high blood sugar levels, the kidneys cannot filter all the excess sugar back into the blood, allowing sugar to be excreted with urine. Diabetic patients therefore urinate frequently and in large amounts, especially at night when they often have to get up to go to the bathroom.
- Dry mouth and thirst
This occurs because the body loses water through frequent and large urination, causing dehydration, which results in dry mouth and frequent thirst.
- Frequent hunger and overeating
Because the body lacks energy, it causes frequent hunger, leading to increased food intake.
- Weight loss
The body cannot use blood sugar for energy, and due to dehydration from frequent urination, the body must use stored protein and fat instead, causing weight loss without the patient realizing it is due to diabetes.
- Numbness in hands and feet
Caused by high blood sugar levels damaging peripheral nerves, resulting in numbness in some parts or similar symptoms such as reduced sensation to touch until no feeling remains in the nerve endings.
- Slow healing wounds
Due to high blood sugar levels causing abnormal blood vessel function, blood cannot sufficiently nourish wounds. The abnormal repair process results in slow healing wounds, which if not properly cared for, may become chronic wounds and are prone to infection.
- Blurred vision
Blurred vision is caused by excessively high blood sugar levels, leading to sugar accumulation in the eye lens and potentially causing reactions that damage the retinal blood vessels. Blurred vision can be severe enough to cause blindness.
- Dry and itchy skin
Caused by insulin resistance, leading to frequent urination and dehydration, resulting in dry skin or itching without visible lesions.
Therefore, anyone experiencing these symptoms or warning signs may be at risk of diabetes. If you suspect any abnormalities in your body, do not ignore them! You should promptly see a doctor for “diabetes screening” to get an accurate diagnosis for timely treatment.
Because “diabetes” is a preventable disease by simply adjusting behavior, maintaining health, exercising, and taking care of your diet consistently, which reduces the chance of becoming a diabetic patient! But if symptoms appear, you should see a doctor immediately.
Dr. Sitthipol Chinpong
Specialist in Diabetes, Thyroid, and Endocrinology
Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
