By Georgia Argyrakopoulou – Internist, Diabetologist, Director of the Diabetes Unit, Athens Medical Center
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia, i.e. patients have, among other things, high levels of blood sugar.
The global incidence of diabetes is about 8.8%.
It is estimated that almost half of the patients with diabetes are not aware of it. In Europe, undiagnosed diabetics are estimated at 22 million people, i.e. 37.9% of the total number of patients suffering from undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.
As can be easily understood, the earlier the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus, the more reduced is the likelihood of complications.
Taking into account the high proportion of undiagnosed patients, early diagnosis is, therefore, imperative. Even mild increases in blood sugar can harm the target organs of diabetes, i.e. the large arteries of the body such as carotid arteries, lower limb arteries, aorta, arteries of the heart, but also the eyes, kidneys and the nervous system.
Diabetes mellitus can often remain undiagnosed due to the lack of symptoms. The main symptoms required to raise suspicion that a patient is likely to suffer from diabetes, especially in its early stages, may be absent altogether.
Symptoms
Symptoms that should lead to blood sugar control are:
1) The sense of constant thirst and increased frequency of urination. Increased blood sugar is filtered into the kidneys by sweeping along a large amount of water, causing a vicious circle of polyuria / polydipsia.
2) Increased food intake - polyphagia - occurs when the body cannot use glucose as energy (unable to enter and use glucose from the cells due to the absence of a sufficient amount of insulin). Due to this lack of energy, the patient has an increased sense of hunger.
3) Frequent urinary tract infections as well as fungal infections are also signs / symptoms of elevated blood sugar.
4) Patients with high blood sugar often complain of unexplained fatigue and inability to carry out their daily activities.
5) Unexplained weight loss often also characterizes patients with significantly unregulated blood sugar.
6) Visual disturbances may be a consequence of increased blood sugar and should always be checked.
7) Other less common but important symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes is the feeling of pain, cramps and numbness mainly in the lower and upper extremities.
In summary, the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, especially in the initial phase of its development, are often ambiguous or non-existent. Regular screening for diabetes mellitus is recommended, especially if there are risk factors such as obesity, heredity (another member of the family) etc.
