5 Often Overlooked Diabetes Red Flags
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 8, 2024
Some of the worst diseases we face are also the stealthiest.
They silently sneak up with few signs that they’re harming us from the inside.
Well, that is until it’s too late, and they’re well-established.
Osteoporosis and hypertension are on that list. And so is type 2 diabetes.
In fact, scientists estimate that around 25 percent of folks with diabetes have no idea their blood sugar is high!
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any symptoms. In fact, there are FIVE that hint at DANGEROUSLY high blood sugar that you should watch for.
And some are likely NOT what you might think.
You probably already know that drinking a lot of water could be an early sign of diabetes. But, as usual, there’s much more to the story.
Let’s take a look at the five most common diabetes symptoms and see why drinking lots of water is often a sign of dangerously high blood sugar.
Hunger: Feel like you’re battling the munchies all the time? It could be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. The increase in appetite is triggered by your body’s inability to move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells. Typically, the hormone insulin knocks on your cell’s doors, and they open up to let sugar in. But when you’re developing diabetes, this hormone is in short supply, or your cells have become insensitive to it. Either way, the sugar stays in your bloodstream, and your appetite grows.
Weight Loss OR Gain: When your cells aren’t getting the fuel they need, you can lose weight without trying. But, confusingly, the OPPOSITE can be true to—weight GAIN. This happens if you’re one of the many with diabetes who end up storing the sugar that doesn’t enter your cells as fat.
Fatigue: Fatigue can set in when you have chronically high blood sugar. You end up tired all the time because your cells aren’t getting sufficient fuel to function.
These three symptoms have something in common. You may even have spotted it already.
Each are pretty common complaints that could be linked to many other issues—from depression to cancer. This is why it’s VITAL to be on the lookout for these next two diabetes symptoms.
Excessive Thirst: Your body contains receptors that detect sugar in your bloodstream. If those levels get too high, the receptors signal your kidneys to dump some sugar. But your kidneys use a lot of water to accomplish this, triggering thirst. Chronically high blood sugar, caused by uncontrolled diabetes, causes a vicious cycle of sugar dumping and extreme thirst.
Increased urination: Increased thirst and increased urination obviously go hand in hand. If you’re drinking more liquids to try to quench your constant thirst, naturally, you will be wearing a hole in the rug on your way to the bathroom to urinate it back out.
Excessive thirst and urination are the most common signs of poorly controlled blood sugar, but they are often overlooked. Sure, you know you’re thirsty all the time and running to the bathroom, but you may not ever connect it with diabetes.
If these symptoms sound familiar, or you already suspect your blood sugar is high, get your levels tested—it’s quick and easy. Because, like with most diseases, the earlier your diabetes is diagnosed, the better off you’ll be.
P.S. Nearly 30 percent of Americans over 65 have diabetes. Discover how Lucky #13 could slash diabetes risk by up to 40 percent.
SOURCE:
Ramachandran, A. (2014). Know the signs and symptoms of diabetes. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 140(5), 579-581. www. ncbi. nlm. nih. Gov /pmc/articles/PMC4311308/
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...
Common Antidepressants Linked to Silent Brain Damage
If you’re among the millions taking prescription antidepressants, I have some concerning news. A major study has uncovered a disturbing link between common antidepressants and a growing brain problem. And if you’re taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), you may find yourself in the crosshairs. Swedish researchers recently uncovered this troubling connection. They found...