Symptoms similar to diabetes (but which are not)

Diabetes is a disease characterized by a large amount of glucose circulating in the blood due to changes in the production of a hormone, insulin, occurring even when the person is fasting, leading to the appearance of some symptoms such as frequent urge to urinate, increased thirst, excessive tiredness, increased hunger and great weight loss.

According to the characteristics and causes, diabetes can be classified mainly into:

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is characterized by the non-production of insulin by the pancreas, which results in the absence of excess glucose removal in the blood, so that the body cannot use this sugar to generate energy; Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is the form of diabetes that develops over time and is mainly related to lifestyle habits, that is, the excessive consumption of sweets and carbohydrates and the absence of physical activity; Diabetes insipidus, which is characterized by an increase in urinary volume that happens as a consequence of excess circulating sugar.

Although the signs and symptoms of diabetes are easy to identify, the person's symptoms are not always indicative of diabetes. Many other situations and illnesses can have similar symptoms and, therefore, it is important that in the presence of any persistent symptom, the person seeks the doctor so that tests can be done and the cause of the symptoms can be identified.

Some common symptoms of diabetes that can also happen in other situations are:

1. Frequent desire to urinate

Increased urge to urinate is one of the characteristic symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, both type 1 and type 2, and diabetes insipidus, because because of the large amount of sugar accumulated in the blood, the body's response is to eliminate this excess through urine.

However, the increase in urinary frequency, also called urinary urgency, can also happen when you drink a lot of fluids during the day or as a consequence of the use of diuretic medications that can be recommended by the doctor, such as Furosemide, for example, which is indicated in the control of blood pressure, or urinary infections, especially if the frequent urge to urinate is accompanied by pain and burning sensation when urinating and discomfort in the genital region. Know other causes of the frequent urge to urinate.

2. Increased thirst

Increased thirst is a way for the body to indicate that there is little water available in the body for the body to function properly. In the case of diabetes, the increase in thirst is also a way for the body to signal that there are large amounts of sugar in the blood, because when feeling thirsty, it is expected that the person drinks more water and, thus, it is possible to eliminate excess sugar in the urine.

On the other hand, increased thirst can also be a sign of dehydration, especially when other signs and symptoms are noticed such as severe headache, dry mouth, low and constant fever and the appearance of dark circles. It is important that dehydration is noticed quickly so that fluid replacement is done in order to prevent complications for the person.

In addition to dehydration and diabetes, the increase in thirst can be a consequence of the large production of sweat, which is common during or after the practice of intense physical activity, or the excessive consumption of sodium during the day, which can also lead, in some cases, the increase in blood pressure and the appearance of symptoms other than thirst, such as chest pain and changes in heartbeat.

3. Dry mouth

Dry mouth is usually a consequence of lack of water in the body, being associated with increased thirst. Although it can happen in diabetes, dryness of the mouth can be indicative of many other situations that are not necessarily related to health problems, such as the fact of breathing through the mouth, being in a very cold environment or a diet rich in sugar and low water consumption, for example.

However, it is important that the person is attentive to the appearance of symptoms other than dry mouth, as it may be related to other health problems such as autoimmune diseases, thyroid problems, respiratory diseases, hormonal changes or be a consequence of using any medication. Therefore, in case the dry mouth is frequent and does not pass even with the change in eating habits and water intake during the day, it is recommended that you go to the general practitioner to have tests done and, if necessary, so that the treatment is established according to the cause.

See more causes of dry mouth.

4. Frequent urinary infections

Repetitive urinary infections, mainly by fungi like Candida sp. , are quite common in diabetes, because the large amount of sugar in the blood and urine favors the development of microorganisms, leading to the occurrence of infections and the appearance of symptoms such as pain and burning when urinating, redness and itching in the genital region and discharge.

Despite this, it is not always the case that the person has recurrent urinary infections is indicative of diabetes. This is because the proliferation of microorganisms can be favored by other conditions, such as inadequate intimate hygiene, holding the pee for a long time, using intimate pads for a long time and drinking little water. Know other causes of recurrent urinary tract infection.

5. Drowsiness and frequent tiredness

Drowsiness and frequent tiredness are common symptoms of diabetes, because due to changes in cellular receptors, glucose does not enter the cells, remaining in the blood, which results in a lack of energy to carry out daily activities.

In addition to diabetes, the main cause of drowsiness and frequent tiredness is iron deficiency anemia, also called iron deficiency anemia, because in the lack of iron there is not enough hemoglobin formation, which is the component of red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells.

Thus, in the absence of hemoglobin, there is no correct transport of oxygen, which results in a decrease in the metabolic capacity of cells and, consequently, leads to the appearance of symptoms such as excessive tiredness and drowsiness. Other signs and symptoms that can also be indicative of iron deficiency anemia are dizziness, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, weakness, hair loss and loss of appetite, for example.

In addition to diabetes and anemia, drowsiness and frequent tiredness can happen as a consequence of psychological diseases, such as depression, heart disease and thyroid changes, especially hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid starts to produce less hormones needed for the body to function, leading to the appearance not only of excessive tiredness but also of weakness, difficulty in concentration, hair loss, dry skin and weight gain without apparent cause.

6. Tingling in the feet and hands

The tingling in the hands and feet is most often a sign that diabetes is out of control, that is, that there are excessive amounts of sugar in the blood, which can lead to changes in circulation and minor injuries in various parts of the body, resulting in tingling.

However, tingling is rarely associated with diabetes, as situations such as compression of a nerve, wrong position to sit or repetitive use of the same joint can also cause tingling in the hands or feet. In addition, tingling is one of the first signs of infarction, which happens when there is a blockage in a blood vessel, which makes blood circulation difficult.

Thus, in the case of a heart attack, it is common for the person to feel the left arm numb and tingling, as well as a pain in the left side of the chest in the form of a twinge or weight that can radiate to other parts of the body. At the first signs of a heart attack, it is recommended to go to the hospital urgently so that tests that prove the heart attack are done and treatment is started. Learn to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack.

7. Excessive hunger

It is common for people with diabetes to feel very hungry during the day and this is due to the lack of sugar within the cells. In diabetes, sugar cannot enter cells, it remains in the blood, and this causes the brain to interpret that there is not enough sugar in the body to generate energy for the cells to carry out the activities necessary for the body to function, and therefore the person always has the feeling that he is not satisfied.

Although this symptom is common in diabetes, excessive hunger can also occur in other situations, such as stress, nervousness, dehydration, a diet rich in carbohydrates and due to changes in the thyroid, as in the case of hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by increased production of thyroid hormones which results in increased metabolism and a feeling of hunger, in addition to tremors, heart palpitations and difficulty concentrating.

8. Great weight loss

It is common for people with uncontrolled diabetes or early diagnosis, who still do not use medication to control it, lose a lot of weight, even when they are eating more than normal, and feel very hungry during the day, and this is due to the lack of sugar inside the cells.

In diabetes, sugar cannot enter cells and this causes the brain to interpret that there is not enough sugar in the body to generate energy and, therefore, it finds another way to produce energy, which is by burning the body's fat, taking weight loss, even without dieting and increasing food intake.

Although this symptom is common in diabetes, a marked loss of weight can also occur in other situations, such as changes in the thyroid, diseases of the liver and stomach, and cancer, for example. This is because the body is undergoing changes that compromise the digestion of food or generate major changes in body metabolism, leading to large weight losses.

How to know if it is diabetes

To find out if the symptoms experienced are related to diabetes or another health problem, it is important that the person goes to the general practitioner or endocrinologist so that tests can be carried out to make the differential diagnosis of diabetes, and most of the time it is indicated to blood tests, including fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels, and urine.

It is also possible that the initial diagnosis of diabetes is made by means of a capillary blood glucose test, which can be done both on an empty stomach and at any time of the day, it is important to be aware of the reference values, which vary according to how the exam was done. The capillary blood glucose test can be done at home using a device called a glucometer, which analyzes a small drop of blood and indicates in a few minutes what the blood glucose is.

It is important that in case of changes in the amount of glucose in the blood, the person goes to the doctor so that new tests can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment can be started. Understand how the diagnosis of diabetes is made.