World Diabetes Day: Shoulder pain and 8 other early signs of diabetes

Shoulder stiffness and pain may be a sign of high blood sugar, which can affect the health of your nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments as well as the uptake of glucose by the cells for energy. (Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels)

India is called the diabetes capital of the world. As per the Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study, published in peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology in June 2023, around 10.1 crore people are currently living with diabetes in India. Diabetes, a chronic condition marked by an increase in blood sugar levels, not only increases morbidity and mortality rates, but also strains the healthcare system immensely.

Every year, November 14 is observed as World Diabetes Day to raise awareness against this global menace. The theme for this year is “Access to Diabetes Care”, which aims to increase awareness about the risk of type 2 diabetes, to delay or prevent the condition. Notably, diabetes often exhibits subtle signs, which if recognized early, can prompt effective management and prevent complications. For instance, diabetes is a risk factor for frozen shoulder - nerve damage, hardening of ligaments and tendons, muscle weakness and even osteoporosis linked to diabetes may cause shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and in severe cases, frozen shoulder.

Here are 8 more signs which may indicate diabetes:

1. Increased Urination

Also called polyuria, the frequent urge to urinate is considered one of the most common signs of type 2 diabetes. Generally, the kidneys filter waste from the blood and excrete it from the body in the form of urine. Excess sugar in the blood pushes the kidneys to work harder to filter, thus producing more urine.

Also read: Yoga for diabetes: 6 asanas for managing your blood sugar levels

2. Increased Thirst

Due to frequent urination, the body can get dehydrated, making you feel excessively thirsty. Furthermore, increased thirst can also indicate diabetes insipidus, which restricts the body from regulating fluid balance properly. This condition is also known as polydipsia, which is characterized by drinking large volumes of water to quench thirst.

High blood sugar can also lead to dry eyes, dry mouth and dry and itchy skin.

3. Increased Hunger

In diabetes, the cells of the body are unable to absorb the glucose present in the blood effectively for the production of energy. This lack of energy in the body triggers a heightened sense of hunger. This condition is also known as polyphagia or hyperphagia, which means insatiable hunger.

Also read: Indian diabetes diet: How to use glycemic load to decide what to eat, what not to eat

4. Unexplained Weight Loss

Diabetes can result in unintended weight loss due to the inability of the body to use glucose for the production of energy. Insulin is needed by the cells to absorb glucose present in the blood to produce energy. Since there is insufficient insulin in the body in type 1 diabetes (due to damaged insulin-making cells in the pancreas) and the cells of the body are unable to absorb glucose from the blood in type 2 diabetes (due to insulin resistance), the body breaks down muscle and fat to generate energy, which results in weight loss.

5. Vision Changes

Sudden or frequent changes in your vision or eyeglass prescription can be a sign of diabetes. High blood sugar levels can affect the ability of the eye lens to focus, resulting in temporary blurriness in the vision. Moreover, if not diagnosed early, unmanaged diabetes can cause permanent loss of vision, which is also known as retinopathy.

6. Delayed Wound Healing

High blood sugar levels can affect the blood circulation and hamper the functioning of the immune system, thus slowing down the process of healing. Diabetes impairs the body’s natural healing ability. Therefore, diabetics or those at higher risk may experience a longer healing period for even minor cuts and bruises.

7. Frequent Urinary Tract Infections

Due to the inability of the kidneys to filter blood appropriately, the urine tends to have more glucose (sugar) than usual. Higher sugar levels and a moist environment of the genital area create an ideal breeding ground for yeast and urinary tract infections, especially in women.

Also read: How's your metabolism? And why this matters even more than you think

8. Darkened Skin

Type 2 diabetes hampers the cells' ability to use insulin, resulting in excess insulin levels in the body. High levels of insulin triggers the growth of skin cells, which results in dark, velvety patches on the skin folds. This sudden darkening of the skin on the neck, armpits, knuckles or groin, is known as acanthosis nigricans, which is a sign of insulin resistance. This condition is also seen in obese people.

The presence of these signs alone does not conclude diabetes. The doctors would recommend several diagnostic tests such as the HbA1c test, fasting glucose test, or Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. If you have been experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms or have a family history of diabetes, you must consult a diabetologist for further investigation and prompt treatment.

Also read: How strength-training in your 30s and 40s can keep diabetes at bay