Infographic: Diabetes

Author: Cui Renming / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: It is worth noting that mild diabetes is often asymptomatic and may be overlooked, or the typical symptoms mentioned above may not appear, while the following symptoms should raise suspicion of diabetes. In such cases, it is recommended to visit a hospital for a diabetes check (Figure 1-11).
1. Fatigue and weight loss: People may easily feel tired without eating, after sleep, or during physical activity, or experience recent unexplained weight loss. In such cases, they might suspect stomach problems and undergo a gastroscopy, often neglecting to check their blood sugar. Therefore, it is important to remind middle-aged and elderly individuals to undergo diabetes-related tests during gastrointestinal examinations, as this may help early detection of the cause of fatigue and weight loss.
2. Numbness and pain in the feet: If you frequently feel numbness or pain in your feet, do not just get an X-ray at the hospital. You should also check your urine sugar, blood sugar, and other diabetes-related tests. Some people may not exhibit the classic "three more, one less" symptoms but may experience symmetrical numbness, pain, or burning sensations in both feet, especially at night.
3. Intermittent claudication and lower limb pain: After walking for a period, you may feel lower limb pain and limp, which disappears after rest. Once the pain subsides, you can walk again, but pain will return after walking for another distance, leading to further limping. Such patients should undergo Doppler vascular ultrasound examinations of the lower limbs, as well as blood sugar, blood viscosity, and lipid tests.
4. Vaginal itching: Women with vaginal itching that is not caused by trichomoniasis or fungal infections should also undergo diabetes-related tests.
5. Recurrent urinary tract, biliary, pulmonary, skin, or other infections: Since diabetic patients are prone to fungal and bacterial infections in these areas, related tests should be conducted to confirm or rule out diabetes when such infections occur.
6. Vision changes: Early cataracts or significant recent vision loss without a clear cause may lead to eye examinations, where the underlying cause is often found to be diabetes.
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