May 27, 2025
Diabetes is a disease that slowly crawls up on you and gradually worsens your body. According to the CDC, in 2021 38.4 million people in the US had diabetes. While you cannot always keep track of your health, there are certain signs that can help you determine if you are pre-diabetic. Let's take a closer look at what they are.
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Being pre-diabetic essentially means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In this situation, you can recognise some signals that your body is giving you to help prevent the diagnosis.
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When the blood sugar levels in the body are elevated, the kidneys try to remove the excess sugar through the urine which means you might be taking frequent trips to the bathroom. With more urine the demands for hydration increase leading to increased thirst.
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Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that leads to dark patches in the armpits, neck, groin, elbows and knees. This happens when the high insulin levels in the blood lead to skin cells being reproduced rapidly thus creating patches.
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An increase in blood sugar levels leads to temporary changes in the shape of the eye lens leading to its swelling and subsequent blurred vision. This is a sign that your body is struggling to regulate its blood sugar levels and needs help.
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Due to prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels, the nerves get damaged leading to diabetic neuropathy, where nerves lose the ability to transmit signals properly and thus you experience numbness and tingling in hands and feet.
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High amounts of glucose in the body can damage the vessels that supply vital nutrients to different parts of the body. With impaired blood circulation, your cuts, wounds and bruises may take more time to heal than usual.
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Increased amounts of insulin in the body make it difficult to use it appropriately, thus impacting how the body processes glucose for energy. This means you will be feeling more tired and exhausted despite having rested properly.
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