Need to Know, these are 10 Characteristics of Diabetes That Can Be Observed

Always maintaining a stable health condition is certainly a desire of many people. Without this effort, a person can suffer from severe diseases that are difficult to handle, such as diabetes. This disease itself can actually be addressed well, as long as identification of the characteristics of diabetes is quickly carried out.

But what are  the characteristics shown by a person who has diabetes? Is it physically visible or does it have to go through an examination first?

Reporting from an article on the official website of the Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Health Services, here are the characteristics of diabetes that can be recognized or felt.

Also Read: Recognizing the Symptoms of Rabies and Treatment, You Must Understand!

10 Characteristics of Diabetes in General

1. Feeling Excessive Thirst

When the water content in the body decreases due to frequent urination, a diabetic will continue to feel thirsty. When this thirst is unnatural, it could be a person with diabetes.

2. Weight Loss

Weight loss can occur when blood sugar levels are too high. The hormone insulin does not obtain glucose for cells, which in fact is useful as energy. The body will then break down protein from the muscles as an alternative source of fuel.

3. Frequent urination

Related to the first point earlier, a person with diabetes will tend to urinate frequently. This happens because the body's cells cannot absorb glucose, and at the same time the kidneys try to remove as much glucose as possible. Glucose that cannot be absorbed is then excreted through urine.

4. Occurrence of Fungal Infections

One of the things you should understand is that diabetes is considered an immunosuppressed state. That is, the body's immunity will decrease and the risk of infection increases. One of the infections that are often experienced by diabetics is a fungal infection.

5. Irritation of the Genital Section

This is associated with high glucose content in the genital area of diabetics. As a result, this genital area is irritated, and triggers swelling and itching.

6. Excessive hunger

Are you one of those people who often feel excessive hunger? Be careful if you belong to this group then it could be one sign you have diabetes. Sugar levels in the blood that plummet make the body accept signs that there is no food intake that has entered, then 'ask' for glucose intake needed by cells.

7. When injured, recovery is slow

When people with diabetes have cuts, bruises, or infections, recovery takes relatively longer. This condition is actually triggered because blood vessels are damaged due to excessive glucose, and surround the arteries.

8. Skin Problems

Diabetics will also feel disorders of the skin quite often. Starting from itchy skin, dry skin, to dark skin in the neck or armpit area. This sign may be one of the most obvious signs of diabetes.

9. Blurred Vision

Sometimes other characteristics of diabetes are blurred vision or occasionally seeing flashes of light which are a direct effect of high blood sugar levels. If not controlled, the effects can be permanent damage to vision.

10. Tingling

The last feature is the frequent feeling of tingling and numbness in the area of the feet and hands, which is accompanied by pain or burning. This is a sign that the nerves are being 'damaged' by diabetes.

Also Read: Understand the Colic Condition in Babies, Do You Already Know?

Part Two: Diabetes Prevention Measures

After knowing the facts and characteristics of diabetes described above, of course, you can now begin to look at whether there are these signs in the people around you, or even in yourself. The prevention measures themselves are actually quite simple.

A healthy lifestyle is the key to keeping the risk of diabetes away from yourself and your loved ones. Some important points that must be considered include:

  • Regular exercise
  • Always keep your weight at the ideal number
  • Have a healthy diet
  • Check blood sugar regularly
  • Skilled in managing stress
  • Diligently drink water, at least meet daily water needs
  • Maintain ideal vitamin D levels
  • Stop bad habits like smoking

The things above can help the body to keep blood sugar levels under control, so that the metabolism that occurs remains normal. In this way, the risk of diabetes will be suppressed and you can enjoy the beauty of longer days.

If It Has Happened, Here's What You Should Do

When you already have diabetes, and confirmed by a doctor you trust, then there are several steps that can be done. Of course, a doctor's recommendation is the best thing that can be a reference.

First you can undergo insulin therapy. Insulin therapy itself can be said to be the main treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. This insulin is a hormone produced inside the pancreas. Because the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, outside injections are needed.

The use of appropriate drugs,  in type 2 diabetes mellitus, drugs are needed that can help blood glucose levels. Some types of drugs that can be used are metformin, sulfonylureas, gliptin, acarbose, repaglinide, and so on.

Alternative medicine that is complementary in nature. The treatment in question is the use of traditional natural ingredients, such as insulin leaves, cinnamon, or ginseng. This treatment can help lower blood sugar levels.

The application of a healthy lifestyle is the second right step. Starting from maintaining nutritional and food intake, regular exercise, and checking blood sugar regularly to control it.

The surgical procedure will be the right step for more severe diabetic conditions. When all treatment is not enough to control blood sugar, then surgery can be done. These operations include bariatric surgery and pancreas transplantation.

Also Read: Here's the Difference Between Employee and Individual Health Insurance You Need to Know!

Because the cost of treatment is not cheap, it is highly recommended to continue to take the preventive steps recommended above or by your trusted doctor. In addition, you can also make strategic steps such as buying health insurance products that can cover the necessary medical and recovery costs. AXA Insurance Indonesia then has the right product, called SmartCare Executive Insurance. This insurance will provide health cost guarantee benefits that arise both in the form of inpatient and outpatient, in accordance with the conditions and benefits of the policy. Take the right precautions, and make sure to live a healthy life at all times!

*Promo code is valid for direct purchase on AXA myPage until December 31, 2023

Reference:

  • https://yankes.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/2429/ciri-ciri-diabetes-yang-harus-diwaspadai
  • https://hellosehat.com/diabetes/gejala-diabetes/
  • https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/jarang-disadari-ini-ciri-ciri-diabetes-terjadi-di-usia-muda
  • https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/3-cara-mudah-hidup-sehat-untuk-cegah-diabetes
  • https://www.siloamhospitals.com/informasi-siloam/artikel/cara-mencegah-diabetes