20 Warning Signs of Diabetes You Shouldn't Ignore

Diabetes is one of the most commonly-diagnosed ailments in the world, with 30.3 million individuals—that's 9.4 percent of the total American population—dealing with the disease in the United States alone. Scarier yet is that 7.2 million diabetics in the United States don't even realize they have it.

While discovering you have diabetes can be a terrifying prospect, the sooner you're treated, the more manageable your condition will be. In fact, a review of research published in the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care reveals that early treatment with insulin can help patients with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar better and gain less weight than those who start treatment later.

Before you find yourself shocked by a diabetes diagnosis, make sure you know these 20 diabetes signs you shouldn't ignore. If you identify with any of these warning signs on the list, be sure to visit your doctor ASAP to get your blood sugar tested.  

1

Unintended Weight Loss

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While unintentional weight loss may seem like a dream to some people, it can also be a scary sign that your pancreas isn't working the way it's supposed to. Accidental weight loss is often one of the first signs of diabetes. However, weight loss may also help you prevent developing the condition in the first place. In fact, losing just 5 percent of your body weight may lower your risk of diabetes by as much as 58 percent.  

2

Leg Rashes

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Are those spots on your shins the result of a dull razor or something more serious? Many diabetics are only clued into their diagnosis when small round or oval lesions begin to appear on their lower legs. These spots, known as diabetic dermopathy, are thought to occur in up to 55 percent of all diabetes diagnoses.

3

Persistent Fatigue

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If you're getting a good night's rest but still find yourself so tired you can barely function, it's definitely worth mentioning to your doctor. Diabetes often wreaks havoc on a person's normal blood sugar levels, causing fatigue in the process. In later stages, the tissue death associated with untreated diabetes can also limit circulation, meaning oxygenated blood isn't being effectively transported to your vital organs, making your body work harder and tiring you out along the way.

4

Blurred Vision

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While poor vision is hardly uncommon—more than 60 percent of the American population wears glasses or contacts, after all—sudden changes in your vision, especially blurriness, need to be addressed by your doctor. Blurry vision is often a symptom of diabetes, as high blood sugar levels can cause swelling in the lenses of your eye, distorting your sight in the process. Fortunately, for many people, the effect is temporary and goes away when their blood sugar is being managed.

5

Recurring Infections

Whether you're dealing with frequent UTIs or skin infections, undiagnosed diabetes may be to blame. The high blood sugar associated with diabetes can weaken a person's immune system, making them more susceptible to infection. In more advanced cases of the disease, nerve damage and tissue death can open people up to further infections, often in the skin, and could be a precursor to amputation.

6

Sweet Breath

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Sugary breath isn't as sweet as it seems.  Diabetics often notice that they've developed sweet or nail-polish-like breath before they're diagnosed. However, if you're dealing with this strange symptom, time is of the essence. Sweet breath is often a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which your body can't effectively convert glucose into energy, keeping your blood sugar at dangerous—potentially fatal—levels if untreated.

7

Excessive Thirst

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It's no surprise that most people could stand to drink more water. In fact, the majority of Americans are drinking less than half of the recommended eight glasses of water each day. However, if you're finding yourself excessively thirsty, that could be a sign that you're dealing with dangerously high blood sugar. Patients with diabetes often find themselves extremely thirsty as their bodies try to flush out excess sugar in their blood when their own insulin production just won't cut it. 

8

Frequent Urination

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When your kidneys have to compensate for the excess sugar in your blood, it often means you'll find yourself rushing to the nearest bathroom all day long. The combination of your kidneys working overtime and excessive thirst makes round-the-clock peeing a reality for many people with unmanaged diabetes.

9

Swollen Gums

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If you've noticed that your gums are looking surprisingly prominent, it's time to check in with your endocrinologist. The inflammation associated with diabetes-related high blood sugar often manifests in the mouth, causing oral issues from swollen and receding gums to excessive bleeding when you floss.

10

Decreased Libido

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If your sex drive has gone from nonstop to non-existent, diabetes may be to blame. The poor circulation and depression that often accompany diabetes can make it difficult to become aroused.

11

Nausea

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That queasy feeling in your stomach could be something less benevolent than butterflies. Both high and low blood sugar can cause nausea, and this unsettled feeling is often one of the first signs diabetics notice before a diagnosis.

12

Weight Gain

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While some diabetics are tipped off to their condition by unintended weight loss, weight gain is nearly as common. Diabetes and thyroid disorders often go hand-in-hand, making diabetics more susceptible unwanted shifts on the scale. 

13

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Which came first: the diabetes or the PCOS? For many women, a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome means a diabetes diagnosis isn't far behind. PCOS and diabetes are both associated with insulin resistance, meaning there are similar hormonal issues at play in both diseases. Fortunately, managing your PCOS and losing weight may help reduce your risk of becoming diabetic over time.

14

Depression

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If you're feeling low and can't figure out why, diabetes could be the culprit. The rapid surges and dips in blood sugar that are part and parcel of untreated diabetes can cause profound shifts in your mood, including depression.

15

Irritability

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That snappy disposition that's replaced your normally sunny one could be a sneaky sign of diabetes. Blood sugar dips, nausea, fatigue, and poor circulation can make anyone feel less than terrific, often making those with unmanaged diabetes irritable.

16

Tingling and Numbness in Your Extremities

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That tingly feeling you get on a first date is a good thing. That tingly feeling in your hands and feet? Not so much. Elevated blood sugar can cause nerve damage, which is often signaled by a tingly feeling in your hands and your feet. If left untreated, this can lead to tissue death and amputations down the line.

17

Slow Wound Healing

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If that cut you had two months ago looks just as fresh as it did the day you got it, it's time to ask your doctor to check you for diabetes. The combination of high blood sugar, poor circulation, and recurrent infections associated with diabetes often means that injuries are slow to heal.

18

Erectile Dysfunction

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For men, a noticeable decline in your ability to get erections could be a sign that a diabetes diagnosis isn't far off. In fact, according to research published in Diabetes Spectrum, up to 71 percent of men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction, too.

19

Darkened Skin

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Those dark patches on your skin could be more serious than a blotchy tan. In fact, they might be the first sign of diabetes. This darkening of the skin, which usually occurs on the hands and feet, in folds of skin, along the neck, and in a person's groin and armpits, called acanthosis nigricans, often occurs when insulin levels are high. The high insulin levels in your blood can increase your body's production of skin cells, many of which have increased pigmentation, giving skin a darkened appearance.

20

Increased Hunger

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Feeling famished all the time? Your body could be trying to tell you that something's up with your blood sugar. Many people with diabetes experience extreme hunger when their condition is unmanaged, thanks to high blood sugar levels. When your body can't effectively convert the sugar in your blood into usable energy, this may leave you pining for every sandwich or sweet you see. 

Can't Sleep? Avoid These 17 Foods That Keep You Up at Night

You could be the picture of perfection when it comes to eating early in the evening, not watching TV all night on the couch, and even curling up in an ideal 68-degree, batcave-like bedroom. Heck, you may not even have any to-do's or anxieties scratching at your brain as you lay awake at night. So, why can't you sleep?!

It's not just late-night munching and blue light from your devices' screens that can sabotage your sleep cycle. As it turns out, what you nosh on can play a big role in how well you hit the hay. If you can't sleep and can't figure out why, look no farther than your diet. Read on to find out which sneaky foods can ruin a restorative night rest; the last one will shock you!

1

Chocolate

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that chocolate treat after dinner isn't doing your REM any favors. "As a nutritionist who also struggles with falling and staying asleep, I know firsthand what can wreak havoc on our sleep cycle," shares Lisa Hayim, registered dietitian and founder of The WellNecessities. "Chocolate is a hidden source of caffeine. That means taking a forkful of your favorite souffle or chocolate ice cream may be the very thing keeping you up. The caffeine in chocolate causes increased arousal, and decreases the ability to develop and sustain the deeper stages of sleep."

2

Alcohol

You probably know white wine can sometimes cause heartburn, but it's not the only beverage to blame for not being able to sleep. "Alcohol in general relaxes the esophageal sphincter, which normally works to keep the acid down in the stomach," Hayim explains. "As it relaxes, the acid from the alcohol can enter into your throat, giving you that burning feeling deep in your chest."

Mitzi Dulan, RD, author of The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Way Thin and team nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals adds: "Research shows that drinking alcohol before bed can make you more likely to wake up throughout the night and diminishes quality of sleep. We also know alcohol can lead to snoring since it is a potent muscle relaxer."  

3

Fatty Foods

Think: Loaded burritos, ice cream sundaes, fried chicken. "These high-fat foods take longer to digest, and often cause bloating and indigestion that interfere with a sound night's rest," offer The Nutrition Twins, Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, authors of The Nutrition Twins' Veggie Cure.

4

Dried Fruit

Consuming too much dried fruit can bother your stomach and cause you to have gas and cramps during the night, according to nutritionist Lisa DeFazio, MS, RDN. "This is thanks to their high-fiber, low-water content." Come morning, don't eat 'em, either. They're one of the top foods nutritionists wish you would stop adding to your overnight oats.

5

Hot Peppers & Spicy Foods

"I love recommending hot peppers as an easy way to boost metabolism, but consuming them late in the evening can trigger heartburn in sensitive individuals," says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies. "Also, their thermogenic properties can increase the body's core temperature." Since your core temperature naturally decreases as you get ready to sleep, raising it can cause you to feel more awake and struggle with staying asleep.  

6

Hot Sauce

 

Like hot peppers, hot sauce is another food that can keep you up at night. The explanation for this one is a bit different, though: "Hot sauce gets its heat from the compound capsaicin found in chili peppers," offers Hayim. "Capsaicin can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to stay open for longer than usual, causing intense feelings of heartburn," she warns. Sounds like an equation for one spicy mess, if you ask us.

7

Peppermint

There are health benefits of mint, but sleeping well isn't one of them. "Many people pop peppermints into their mouths after dinner to freshen their breath," says Hayim. "Some people have it in their tea thinking it will soothe them. But, as it turns out, peppermint is a heartburn trigger. So, definitely stay away from it before bed!"

8

High Sugar Cereals

Pass right by the fruit loops, please. "Eating high-sugar cereals will make your blood sugar spike and crash, which will affect your sleep," says DeFazio. "Choose cereal with less than five grams of sugar per serving." Make sure you're not eating one of the 28 worst breakfast cereals, from AM to PM. Period. 

9

Pizza

 

Whether it's a quick fix for working late or your go-to drunk food, a slice of pizza won't give you any sweet dreams. "The combination of fat in the cheese and the acid in the tomato sauce can have a negative impact on your sleep quality," says Palinski-Wade. "High-acid foods can trigger acid reflux, especially when eaten close to bedtime. Even if you don't feel 'heartburn,' this reflux can cause you to awaken partially from sleep and leave you tired the next day."

10

Raw Onions

Kissing someone before bed isn't the only reason to give up these guys right before bedtime. "Onions can cause gas that affects the pressure in your stomach," says Hayim. "As a result, the sphincter is forced to open, which allows your meal and acidity to enter back into your esophagus. Studies have found that raw onions can cause potent and long-lasting feelings of reflux in people who already have heartburn." Now that's something to toss and turn over.

11

Caffeine

 
We hope you'd know this one by now! But in case you need a little background info: "Caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system several hours after consuming it," says The Nutrition Twins. "If you're at all sensitive to it, you will probably lie awake." So skip the hot cocoa (chocolate can contain caffeine), the caffeinated tea, coffee, and soda. "Caffeine is a stimulant that may cause insomnia," says DeFazio. What's more, there are countless health benefits of giving up soda from improved energy to weight loss. You don't have to tell us twice.

12

Ketchup

 

We know you love it, but don't squeeze that blob onto your plate. "Ketchup is extremely acidic thanks to the tomatoes it's made with," offers Hayim. "In addition to the acid that is naturally there, ketchup is usually preserved with other chemicals that make them even more acidic and may lead to heartburn." Watch out for tomato sauce, too: "Pasta and marinara sauces can contribute to indigestion and heartburn," The Nutrition Twins say. "This is especially important if you're prone to indigestion. When you lie down to go to bed, digestion slows and the horizontal position can make heartburn and indigestion even worse."

13

Cheeseburgers

 
And don't even dream about that triple cheeseburger. "Eating unhealthy fatty foods before bedtime can be a sleep killer," comments Dulan. "Fatty foods lead to more fragmented sleep, so you wake up the next morning not feeling refreshed." Bad for your waistline, bad for your sleep…why bother?!

14

French Fries

Sounding familiar yet, folks? "Greasy and high-fat foods are the single worst trigger for heartburn," cautions Hayim. "Before bed, avoid foods coated in oil or that give a big 'crunch' when you eat it."

15

A High-Protein or High-Fat Dinner

 

A little lesson in logic: "You may think a high-protein or high-fat dinner will keep you full all night, preventing you from waking. But research shows that eating a high-protein meal before bed can lead to sleep disturbances," advises Palinski-Wade. And, like many other foods on this list, you may wind up with indigestion or acid reflux since you'll be lying down with a full stomach.

16

Matcha or Green Tea

 
We are huge fans of matcha and green tea—after all, we created an entire best-selling plan in which happy test panelists lost 10 pounds in a week! So enjoy these nutritious sippers throughout the day, but make sure to taper off several hours before bedtime, at the least. "Green tea contains two other stimulants in addition to containing caffeine. These other two substances are theobromine and theophylline, which may cause increased heart rate, feelings of nervousness, and overall anxiety," explains Hayim. "Matcha, a type of green tea, also contains caffeine but is reported to have a less jittery effect compared to green tea." The health benefits of green tea are incredible though, so you should still enjoy it—but not after 3 or 4 p.m.

17

Water

Are you the type to always have a tall glass of H2O on your bedside table? You might want to rethink that. "Yes, you should drink plenty of water during the day to stay hydrated. In fact, even slight dehydration can significantly drain your energy levels," offers Palinski-Wade. "But if you drink too much right before bed, you may find yourself awakening multiple times to urinate. Instead, start to taper off your fluid intake about three hours before bedtime." 

Want to know if you can eat eggshells? Find out here

It might not sound palatable to you, and you might even want to wriggle your way out of this one. But, allow us to at least try to egg you on (pun intended). When we think of eggs, we only think of the soft edible bit inside, never the hard outer covering. The eggshells are usually reserved for the bin, after they have been cracked open. But, what if we told you that consuming them could actually benefit you? Would you be willing to give it a try? Here are some advantages of eating the shells. 

What does the shell consist of? 

The hard outer covering of the egg comprises calcium carbonate, proteins, and other minerals. According to Healthline, eggshells are roughly 40 percent calcium, with each gram providing 381–401 mg. An NCBI report states that and half an eggshell can meet an adult person's daily calcium requirements.

Calcium supplement and bone health 

Calcium carbonate — the most common form of calcium — is essentially found in seashells, coral reefs and limestone, besides eggshells, of course. It is a widely known fact that calcium builds and keeps bones safe. So, eggshells, in powder form, could be consumed as an effective calcium supplement. Additionally, the shells are also great sources of magnesium, fluoride and other minerals.

Reduced risk of osteoporosis 

A heath condition that weakens the bones, osteoporosis affects millions worldwide. A calcium-deficient diet, owing to inadequate intake over time, may lead to this condition which is usually associated with old age. You can take necessary actions to keep osteoporosis at bay. By consuming eggshell powder, you are not only reducing the risk of the disease, but also strengthening your bones and adding to their density. In fact, it is believed that eggshell powder may be more effective than purified calcium carbonate.

Joint health

For an improved joint health, you can consume the egg membrane, which is between the shell and the actual egg, especially visible when you peel open a boiled egg. If you decide to consume the shell in its powder form, do not remove the membrane. Studies conducted in the past have shown that membrane consumption can significantly improve the health of joints.

How to eat them

Keep in mind that you must not swallow large chunks of the eggshell, as they may choke and/or injure you. It is advisable to grind them into powder before consumption. Goes without saying, you must boil the egg first. You can add the powder to food, or consume it with juice or water. Do not consume in copious quantities as this could affect the kidneys. Consult with a professional first.