Signs of Diabetes Complications: When Should I Call My Doctor?

If you have diabetes, it is important to be aware of the signs of diabetes complications. These complications can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly.

In this blog post, we will discuss the signs of diabetes complications that you should watch for, as well as when you should call your doctor. So read on to learn more!

High blood sugar

If you already have diabetics, you should know that your blood sugar needs regular checking. You should control it to keep it at a normal range, not too high or low. When your blood sugar gets too high, that’s called hyperglycemia. If it gets too low, that’s called hypoglycemia.

You can check your blood sugar at home with a special device called a glucometer. A normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).

If your fasting blood sugar is consistently above 126 mg/dL on two different occasions, you have diabetes. If your blood sugar is higher than 200 mg/dL after eating, you have diabetes. These are both signs that you need to see your doctor.

The symptoms of high blood sugar are:

• feel very thirsty
• feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
• dry mouth
• frequent urination
• fatigue
• blurry vision

If these symptoms get deeper, you might lose your vision. You can also lose your mind if the sugar level in your blood is not normalized.

High blood sugar can cause damage to the vessels that supply blood to your heart and brain, as well as the kidneys. This can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to call your doctor right away!

Deep, fast breathing

If you have diabetes, you may notice that you are taking deep breaths or gasping for air, even when you are at rest. This is a condition called Kussmaul breathing, and it is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). 

DKA occurs when there is too much acid in the blood.

Ketoacidosis can be caused by not taking insulin, skipping meals, drinking alcohol, or having an infection. It can also be brought on by stress or illness.

The symptoms of ketoacidosis are:

• deep, fast breathing
• fruity-smelling breath
• nausea and vomiting
• stomach pain
• confusion or sleepiness

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to call your doctor as all of these are signs of health complications!

Feet ulcers

If you have diabetes, you may be at risk of developing foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are sores that can occur on the feet, and they can become infected. Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes. They usually develop on the bottom of the foot, and they can be very painful.

The symptoms of a foot ulcer are:

• redness
• swelling
• pain
• oozing or crusted pus

Untreated infections can lead to serious health complications such as amputation.

So don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you notice such complications.

Weight loss

If you have diabetes, you may lose weight even if you are eating more than usual. This is because the body cannot use the sugar in the blood for energy. The body starts to break down fat and muscle for energy instead. This can lead to weight loss.

The symptoms of weight loss are:

• feeling very tired
• losing interest in food
• weight loss

As a result, your body and immune system will be weaker and any infection can lead to serious health complications.

If you have these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away!

Kidney disease

If you have diabetes, you are at risk of developing kidney disease. This is because the blood vessels in the kidneys can be damaged by high blood sugar. Kidney disease can also be caused by high blood pressure.

The symptoms of kidney disease are:

• swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs
• trouble urinating
• foamy urine
• muscle cramps
• nausea and vomiting

All of these symptoms can lead to health complications, so it is important to see your doctor if you have any of them.

Blurry vision

If you have diabetes, you may have blurry vision. This is because the blood vessels in the eyes can be damaged by high blood sugar.

How does it happen?

High blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in your retina, the part of your eye that senses light. These damaged vessels leak fluid and cause the retina to swell. The swelling from leaking blood vessels can distort or blur your vision.

The symptoms of blurry vision are:

• blurry vision
• floaters
• eye pain

Blurry vision can be a sign of health complications. It can also lead to complete vision loss. So make sure to see your doctor if you notice vision weakness.

Control your insulin level to avoid health complications

Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms! These are all signs of diabetes complications and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Early detection and treatment are key to managing diabetes and preventing complications. Don’t wait until it’s too late, call your doctor today!