Diabetes affects millions across the world every year. When it’s not quickly treated, it can do lots of damage to your body, such as causing blindness, kidney failure and heart disease. But how are you supposed to know if you are battling this common disease?

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Clemson has some answers, so read on.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body does not properly process food for use as energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy.

The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make insulin or can’t use its own insulin the way that it should. This, in turn, will cause sugar to build up in your blood, which can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness and kidney failure.

More Health Complications Caused By Diabetes

• Increased stroke risk
• Can cause cataracts and glaucoma
• Leads to chronically high blood sugar levels
• Nerve damage
• Skin problems

How Do I Know If I Have It?

Depending on what symptoms you have been experiencing. While the two main types of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) are different, early signs are still quite similar.

Two of the most common signs of diabetes are excessive urination and unintentional weight loss. Both of these symptoms are strong signs that your glucose levels could be out of whack. If you experience these symptoms or any of the ones we’ve listed below, it’s important to contact your doctor.

More Common Signs of Diabetes

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger
• Excessive fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Frequent urinary tract or yeast infections
• Skin discoloration

If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, it can be a scary feeling. But you’re not alone! We’re here for you if you have any questions or medical concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at AFC Urgent Care Clemson.