Though many of the symptoms of diabetes in women are much the same as men, there are some ways in which diabetes affects women differently than men. In addition to physical symptoms, women may also experience certain psychological symptoms of diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes in women are important to two, since women can suffer three kinds of diabetes – women can have Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes which men can also have.
In addition women can develop gestational diabetes (diabetes of pregnancy) as well.
While type 2 diabetes can have a more gradual and less noticeable onset, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are clearer and may be noticeable in months or even weeks.
The symptoms of gestational diabetes will clear as soon as the baby is delivered and these only need management while the woman is pregnant.
In general, the following symptoms of diabetes in women may be noted:
- One of the symptoms of diabetes is the feeling of excessive thirst; a condition known as polydipsia. This may cause one to gulp down any liquid at hand, which when it is a sugary carbonated drink may cause even more problems.
- There could be sudden or unexplained loss of weight.
- The feeling of having to go to the bathroom more frequently, a condition known as polyuria is one of the most commonly experienced signs of diabetes.
- The excess glucose in the blood stream can affect the shape of the lenses of the eyes, making blurred vision one of the common symptoms of diabetes in women.
- Slow or impaired healing is one of the problems that diabetics face – any wound on the body takes longer to heal and could therefore be subject to infection or other problems. Also the fact that infections could further worsen glucose control will delay healing even further.
- Itchy and dry skin as well as certain rashes known as Diabetic dermadromes (group of cutaneous conditions commonly seen in diabetic patients) could be seen in those who have had diabetes for a long time.
- Women in particular may find that they are more susceptible to certain infections of the sexual organs.
- Increased or recurrent hunger is also a symptom of diabetes that can exacerbate the underlying problem of diabetes.
- Hypoglycemia is a frequent problem for those with diabetes where there is a dip in blood sugar due to too much medication, excessive alcohol or exercise, and so on. there may be feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness, difficulty concentrating, sweating and shaking of the hands, even fainting when this occurs.
- Swelling of the lower extremities such as the heels and the feet could be among the symptoms diabetes as may be the swelling of the gums.
The symptoms of diabetes in women are very important to watch out for not only because the symptoms themselves are troublesome to live with, but also because of the fact that diabetes itself could cause a number of very dangerous complications that should be avoided by proper lifestyle alternation and medication to control the condition.