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Diabetes is a disease that stays with us for life and requires constant monitoring. However, a dysregulated system responsible for the level of glucose in the body often does not cause obvious symptoms. However, it is worth paying attention to one of them that appears at night. We are talking about excessive sweating at night. This symptom could be an abnormal blood sugar level.
- The symptoms of diabetes are not very specific and are usually difficult to recognize
- Heavy night sweats may indicate abnormal blood sugar levels with diabetes
- Changing your lifestyle and modifying your diet is one of the key steps in treating diabetes
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
The symptoms of diabetes are not very specific
People with diabetes should start treatment as soon as possible because problems with the proper metabolism of sugar can lead to serious complications in the long run. The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is not easy because it takes years to develop and the first symptoms are not very specific. Diabetes may be indicated by symptoms such as:
- increased thirst;
- hunger pangs;
- frequent urination;
- weight loss;
- general fatigue and drowsiness;
- apathy;
- irritability;
- dry and itchy skin;
- difficulty healing wounds;
- tendency to bruise easily on the skin.
It is worth paying special attention to the phenomenon of excessive sweating at night, as it may indicate diabetes.
Blood tests are essential in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, especially fasting glucose, and sometimes the glucose load curve (OGTT). It is also important to measure parameters such as insulin level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile or homocysteine concentration.
The risk of diabetes and other abnormalities should be excluded by pregnant women by performing a package of blood tests for pregnant women.
Where does excessive night sweating in diabetes come from?
Excessive nighttime sweating in diabetes can be a sign of two things:
- low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia);
- damage to the nerve fibers caused by too much sugar (hyperglycaemia).
Most often, heavy sweating at night in people with diabetes is the result of the latter phenomenon, i.e. damage to nerve fibers. According to research by the American Dietetic Association up to half of diabetic patients experience some degree of damage to their nervous system. When autonomic neuropathy occurs, it can sometimes affect the sweat glands as well.
What determines the process that leads to nerve damage? Changes in the nervous system can be the result of high levels of sugar and lipids (including triglycerides) – the nerves or blood vessels responsible for nourishing nerve cells are damaged. The consequence is a variety of symptoms, depending on which body functions are affected.
If disorders related to sugar metabolism in the body affect the condition of the sweat glands, excessive sweating may occur at night or with meals.. Other effects of these abnormalities include excessive sweating of some parts of the body while others remain dry. These symptoms may indicate that your body is not able to control the temperature properly.
The neuropathy in diabetes is at the root of a variety of disorders, from mild numbness to aches and pains that interfere with daily functioning. Ailments such as sharp aches, cramps, muscle weakness or tenderness to touch can affect the arms, legs or feet.
The main methods of diabetes prevention are physical activity and a healthy diet. The diet should include products with a low glycemic index, as well as herbs. We can also reach for the ECO tea recommended for diabetes. We can carry out glycemic control (glucose level indicator) by ourselves using a glucometer from the Medonet Market offer.