This 'itchy' symptom is an early sign of diabetes that people often miss; know more about it
Diabetes is tricky to diagnose in early stages due to the vague symptoms that often resemble signs of other common conditions. When the uncontrolled blood sugar levels go undetected for years, they may pose a damage risk to many crucial body organs.
While the more popular early signs of diabetes are described as frequent urination, weight loss, and feeling very thirsty, one of the lesser-known signs of the metabolic disorder is persistent genital itching, which is a marker of type 2 diabetes.
According to Diabetes.co.uk, genital itching could be a sign that your blood glucose levels are too high. In diabetes, blood glucose levels can go abnormally high, which can provide ideal conditions for naturally present yeast to grow and also diminishes the body’s ability to fight infection.
Diabetes can also cause a higher glucose content in the urine which could also provide ideal conditions for yeast to thrive.
Genital itching can be described as itching, burning or redness/soreness in and around the male or female genital organs.
Diabetes and yeast infectionsGenital itching or burning can point towards a female or male yeast infection. It is common for people with diabetes to get regular yeast infections as their blood glucose levels can go abnormally high, providing ideal environment for the yeast to grow. It also diminishes the body's ability to fight infection.
This symptom can be easily confused for a sexually transmitted infection or STI, however, in combination with other diabetes symptoms like frequent urination, thirst, and weight loss, this could indicate diabetes.
Diabetes and itchy skinPeople with diabetes can also get itchy skin due to neuropathy, which can damage the nerves. Itching is often a symptom of diabetic polyneuropathy, a condition that develops when diabetes leads to nerve damage.
Before nerve damage begins for people with diabetes, high levels of cytokines - the inflammatory substances - circulate the body, that can lead to itching.
Persistent itchiness could be a sign that a person with diabetes is at risk of nerve damage due to increase cytokine levels.
Other signs of diabetes
Diabetes can manifest through a range of symptoms, some of which are easily overlooked. Common warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue. Other indicators, such as slow-healing wounds, blurred vision, and recurrent infections, can also signal high blood sugar levels.
(Picture courtesy: iStock)
While the more popular early signs of diabetes are described as frequent urination, weight loss, and feeling very thirsty, one of the lesser-known signs of the metabolic disorder is persistent genital itching, which is a marker of type 2 diabetes.
According to Diabetes.co.uk, genital itching could be a sign that your blood glucose levels are too high. In diabetes, blood glucose levels can go abnormally high, which can provide ideal conditions for naturally present yeast to grow and also diminishes the body’s ability to fight infection.
Diabetes can also cause a higher glucose content in the urine which could also provide ideal conditions for yeast to thrive.
Genital itching can be described as itching, burning or redness/soreness in and around the male or female genital organs.
Diabetes and yeast infectionsGenital itching or burning can point towards a female or male yeast infection. It is common for people with diabetes to get regular yeast infections as their blood glucose levels can go abnormally high, providing ideal environment for the yeast to grow. It also diminishes the body's ability to fight infection.
This symptom can be easily confused for a sexually transmitted infection or STI, however, in combination with other diabetes symptoms like frequent urination, thirst, and weight loss, this could indicate diabetes.
Diabetes and itchy skinPeople with diabetes can also get itchy skin due to neuropathy, which can damage the nerves. Itching is often a symptom of diabetic polyneuropathy, a condition that develops when diabetes leads to nerve damage.
Before nerve damage begins for people with diabetes, high levels of cytokines - the inflammatory substances - circulate the body, that can lead to itching.
Persistent itchiness could be a sign that a person with diabetes is at risk of nerve damage due to increase cytokine levels.
Other signs of diabetes
Diabetes can manifest through a range of symptoms, some of which are easily overlooked. Common warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue. Other indicators, such as slow-healing wounds, blurred vision, and recurrent infections, can also signal high blood sugar levels.
(Picture courtesy: iStock)
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