10 symptoms of Diabetes That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on: Feb 14, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

10 symptoms of Diabetes That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Diabetes is a silent killer. Most of the time, people suffering from this condition don’t even realise that they have high blood sugar levels because there are no apparent symptoms to make you lose your sleep over it. Often, a diabetes diagnosis is accidental. A random blood test during a routine check-up, surgery or a medical test reveals one’s diabetes status. While a lot of awareness has been created in the recent past to ensure people do regular blood checks to know the glucose levels in the blood and take necessary steps to avert complications, the number of people living with Diabetes in India remains high. The official website of WHO says that - “In India, there are estimated 77 million people above the age of 18 years are suffering from diabetes (type 2), and more than 50% of people are unaware of their diabetic status which leads to health complications if not detected and treated early.”

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects glucose utilisation in the body. There are two types of Diabetes – Diabetes Type I, which is an autoimmune condition where the body’s pancreatic cells are attacked and destroyed, leading to a need for a steady supply of insulin externally lifelong; Diabetes Type 2, which is a chronic lifestyle disease where the body isn’t able to produce enough insulin or the insulin produced might not be used the right way. In both cases, it leads to high glucose levels in the bloodstream. Constant high levels of glucose can lead to complications and cause severe damage to other organs like – the heart, kidney, liver etc. This is why timely treatment for people with Diabetes is necessary. The earlier you can detect the condition, the better.

Can people with Diabetes get health insurance?

Getting health insurance with Diabetes can be challenging. Your health insurance can be rejected or accepted depending on one’s health condition. However, in most cases, a person with Diabetes can get health insurance. But remember, from the insurance perspective, Diabetes is considered a pre-existing condition, and claims made in regards to hospitalisation due to complication of Diabetes is accepted only once the waiting period is over. Most health insurance companies have 2 to 4 years of waiting for pre-existing diseases.

So, suppose you have severe Diabetes with uncontrolled sugar levels and require more than two to three medications throughout the day or regular insulin shots. In that case, your health insurance could be rejected because of these complications. On the other hand, if you have been newly diagnosed with Diabetes and your sugar levels are in control, you can still get health insurance where Diabetes will be treated as a pre-existing disease. With well-controlled Diabetes, the chances are you might not need hospitalisation due to the condition during the time of your waiting period.

Moreover, while looking for a health insurance policy for people living with Diabetes, look for one that specifically caters to the needs of a diabetic patient. You can also check out HDFC ERGO’s Energy Diabetes Insurance plan, which promises coverage for people with Diabetes and hypertension from day one of the policy. This has more advantages and benefits for people with Diabetes than a regular health insurance plan.

Symptoms Of Diabetes That You Should Be Aware Off

1. Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)

One of the most common and earliest symptoms of Diabetes is increased thirst or polydipsia. This happens because increased glucose levels lead to increased fluid intake. The kidneys have to work overtime to flush out the excess glucose from the body by producing urine. Hence, the brain sends signals to drink more water to compensate for fluid loss.

2. Frequent Urination (Polyuria)

As mentioned earlier, elevated blood sugar levels can cause the kidneys to work harder to filter excess glucose through urine. This can result in frequent urination, especially at night.

3. Unexplained Weight Loss/Gain

Despite eating more than usual, individuals with Diabetes may lose weight. This is often seen in Type 1 diabetes. As excess glucose isn’t converted into energy, the body breaks down fat and muscles to meet your body’s energy needs. This leads to unexpected weight loss in Type 1 diabetes patients. In type 2 diabetes, where one might develop insulin resistance, where the cells of the body become insensitive to insulin, leading to an increase in blood sugar levels, the body eventually converts the excess sugar into fat. This increases chances of developing abdominal obesity with type 2 diabetes.

4. Increased Hunger (Polyphagia)

The body’s primary energy source is glucose. Excessive glucose in the bloodstream, which the body cannot use properly, leads to a lack of energy and fatigue. This, in turn, triggers persistent hunger pangs, even after eating.

5. Increased Fatigue

High blood sugar levels lead to a lack of energy and feeling unwell. This also causes excessive tiredness and a lack of motivation to continue with life’s usual things.

6. Blurred Vision

Beware high blood sugar levels can affect the shape of the eye’s lens, leading to blurry vision.

7. Slow Wound Healing

If a cut, bruise or blister isn’t healing, this should be a red signal for you. Diabetes can impair the body’s ability to heal; this is because high blood glucose impairs blood circulation and damages nerve endings – all of which can affect the healing of wounds.

8. Tingling or Numbness

Elevated blood sugar levels over time can damage nerves, leading to tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in the hands and feet leading to peripheral neuropathy.

9. Dry Skin and Itching

Diabetes can cause skin issues, including dry and itching. Poor circulation and nerve damage may contribute to these symptoms.

10. Yeast Infections

In women, Diabetes might lead to frequent yeast infections due to elevated blood sugar levels, providing an ideal environment for yeast to thrive.

While these signs and symptoms could be indicative enough for you to do a blood test and confirm if you have Diabetes, remember that the symptoms can vary. Some individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages. If you suspect you have Diabetes or are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis.

The Take Home Message

Early detection and proper management can help one avert the complications of Diabetes. It is essential to make proper lifestyle changes – eat healthy, exercise, meditate – to keep blood sugars in check. Having health insurance helps to stay financially secure during the time of hospitalisation due to complications of Diabetes. However, remember that insurers define Diabetes as a pre-existing disease, and you cannot place a claim during your policy's waiting period. But if you opt for a diabetes health insurance plan, you get coverage from day 1 of your policy. The premium of your diabetes health insurance plan might be higher than a regular health plan, but it is tailor-made to cater to the needs of a diabetic patient.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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