10 symptoms of diabetes

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Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in Sweden, with over 500,000 people living with the diagnosis [1]. The disease often develops slowly, especially type 2 diabetes, and many people don’t notice the symptoms until complications have already appeared.

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Common signs to look out for

Recognizing early symptoms is crucial to getting the right diagnosis and treatment in time. Symptoms may differ between individuals and between diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2 diabetes, but several are recurring and common. Below we list 10 symptoms of diabetes – signs that should not be ignored.

1. Increased thirst and frequent urination

When blood sugar levels are high, the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose through urine. This leads to increased thirst and more frequent urination.

2. Fatigue and lack of energy

Cells have more difficulty absorbing glucose, which leads to an energy deficit in the body. Tiredness and lack of energy are therefore common early symptoms.

3. Vision changes

High blood sugar can affect the eye’s lens, causing blurred vision or difficulty focusing. Long-term diabetes can also lead to diabetic retinopathy.

4. Weight changes

Unintentional weight loss is common with type 1 diabetes, as the body cannot absorb the energy from food. With type 2, weight gain or difficulty losing weight can occur.

5. Slow wound healing

Diabetes impairs blood circulation and weakens the immune system, which means that wounds and injuries heal more slowly than normal.

6. Recurring infections

High blood sugar creates a favorable environment for bacteria and fungi. This is why urinary tract infections, skin infections, and fungal infections are more common in people with diabetes.

7. Numbness and tingling in feet and hands

Nerve damage (neuropathy) is a common consequence of long-term diabetes. Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the feet and legs are early warning signs.

8. Irritability and mood swings

Fluctuations in blood sugar affect both the body and mind. Irritability, low mood, and concentration difficulties can all be signs of diabetes.

9. Nausea and stomach problems

When the body cannot use glucose as fuel, it starts breaking down fat, which can lead to ketones in the blood. This may cause nausea, stomach pain, and in severe cases ketoacidosis.

10. Increased risk of falls

Diabetes can affect both balance and muscle strength. The combination of nerve damage, vision problems, and blood sugar fluctuations increases the risk of falls [2].

Safety alarm with automatic fall alarm can increase safety for people with an increased risk of falling

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people who have an increased risk of falling. The personal alarm can automatically trigger the alarm in the event of a fall and then call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app.