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Diabetes without proper management can damage nerves, blood vessels, and organs, resulting in a wide array of signs and symptoms. For example, you may experience extreme fatigue, frequent thirst, and hearing loss.
If you notice new, persistent, or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor. They can help you adjust your treatment plan and manage your diabetes.
This article covers 12 signs and symptoms of unmanaged diabetes.
1. Hyperglycemia
If your blood sugar is still too high even after starting treatment for diabetes, it could be a sign that your treatment is ineffective and needs to be adjusted.
Your doctor may increase your dosage, switch you to an alternative medication, or add another medication to your treatment regimen. They may also recommendTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source dietary or lifestyle changes to complement your medications.
One of the most common complicationsTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source of unmanaged diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when high blood glucose damages the blood vessels in the retina. You may notice you have trouble reading, or you see rings around lights at nighttime. Your ability to see up close and far away may change as well.
Your vision may become blurry, and dark spots or flashing lights may appear in your field of view. Also, it may take longer for your eyes to adjust when you move from dark places into bright light.
Over time, diabetic retinopathy may cause partial or total vision loss.
In people with unmanaged diabetes, the body will try to filter excess blood glucose through urine. However, the glucose will pull more water into the urine through a processTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source called osmotic diuresis. This increases the volume of urine that needs to be excreted and leads to more frequent urination, also known as polyuria.
More frequent urination lowers the water content in the body and can leadTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source to increased thirst, also called polydipsia. Fluid intake caused by increased thirst leads to more urine production, creating a cycle that can be a challenge to manage.
5. Constant hunger
People with unmanaged diabetes may experienceTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source extreme and persistent hunger due to the loss of fluids and calories connected with frequent urination. Also called polyphagia, it is a common symptomTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source of hyperglycemia along with polyuria and polydipsia.
6. Extreme fatigue
Fatigue can be a symptom of both controlled and unmanaged diabetes. It may beTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source the result of hyperglycemia and other complications of diabetes, such as sleep disturbances or chronic pain.
Fatigue may also be influenced by the psychological difficulties associated with the disease. People with diabetes often experienceTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source stress, anxiety, and depression.
Your body retains less moisture when you have high blood glucose, which may leaveTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source your skin dry and itchy. Extremely dry skin can crack, allowing bacteria to penetrate the skin and cause infections that heal slowly.
Other signs may appear on your skin, including:
dark velvety patches
blisters
rashes
scales
hard, pea-sized lumps
Some areas may also become stiff, waxy, cool, or hairless.
Unmanaged diabetes can damage your nerves, especially the nerves in the feet. When these nerves are damaged, it can be more difficultTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source to feel foot injuries or pain, meaning a wound may go unnoticed and become infected.
In addition to nerve damage, unmanaged diabetes can adversely affect your circulation. In particularTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source, the blood vessels in your lower extremities may become damaged, meaning your blood can’t carry nutrients and oxygen to your legs and feet.
As a result, if you have a wound on your foot, it may take longer to heal and become an ulcer. Foot ulcers can become infected, leading to more severe complications, such as a bone infection or even amputation.
10. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Unmanaged diabetes may leadTrusted SourceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authorityGo to source to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which occurs when a lack of insulin causes the liver to break down fat for energy. This releases acids called ketones, which can build up in the body and cause signs and symptoms like:
frequent thirst and urination
rapid breathing
facial flushing
fruity-smelling breath
muscle aches and stiffness
extreme fatigue
nausea and vomiting
11. Weight loss
Unexpected weight loss may beTrusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source a sign of hyperglycemia. Because the lack of insulin associated with diabetes means the body can’t break down sugar for fuel, it starts to break down fat and muscle instead. In addition, the cycle of increased thirst and urination may contribute to weight loss.
12. Hearing problems
According to research from 2022Trusted SourcePubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of HealthGo to source, hyperglycemia related to unmanaged diabetes may damage the vessels and nerves associated with hearing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted SourceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authorityGo to source notes that this may come on slowly, so people around you may notice it before you do.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you notice new concerning symptoms. Also tell them if any existing symptoms are persisting or worsening. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to severe complications, so prompt treatment is essential.
Summary
Unmanaged diabetes may cause various signs and symptoms, including weight loss, vision changes, and frequent thirst.
It’s important to monitor your symptoms and contact your doctor right away if you notice any changes. Proper diabetes treatment can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.
Kim Taylor is an editor with Healthgrades working to positively impact the lives of others through empathetic and meaningful content. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s literally herding cats.
Kremic MBF. (2020). Factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among patient with diabetes mellitus in primary health care: Many questions, few answers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7735874/
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