Young People Can Get It Too: 10 Signs of Diabetes at a Young Age
According to the data, diabetes is indeed more common among middle-aged people, namely those over 45.[1] Even so, young people can also develop it, especially if they have an unhealthy lifestyle. To recognize it, check whether you have these signs of diabetes at a young age!
What Are the Signs of Diabetes at a Young Age?
Diabetes in young people is commonly found among those aged 18 to 39.[2] Here are some signs that may appear in your body:
1. Sudden, Drastic Weight Loss

You may recognize the early symptoms of diabetes by noticing that your body is getting thinner, even though your food portions have not changed.
When insulin does not work properly to carry sugar into the cells, the body does not get enough energy. As a result, it burns fat and muscle for energy. This can cause you to lose weight suddenly, generally over two to three months.[3]
2. Excessive Thirst

When there is too much sugar in the blood, the brain signals the body to remove the excess sugar through urine. To help this process, the brain makes you feel thirsty so your body gets enough fluids to help flush out the sugar more efficiently.
3. Frequent Urination

As explained above, the body keeps trying to remove excess blood sugar through urine. This cycle can continue—the more urine you pass, the more dehydrated you become, and the thirstier you feel.
4. An Unending Appetite

Healthy people usually feel hungry around 3 to 4 hours after eating. However, people with diabetes may feel hungry sooner because their bodies lack energy, which can trigger hunger signals more often.
5. Vaginal Itching and Discharge

Signs of diabetes in young women include vaginal discharge and itching.
The high sugar levels in the urine of people with diabetes often encourage fungal growth in the vaginal area, causing discomfort in the form of itching and vaginal discharge.
6. Easily Fatigued

When you are young, you usually have more energy to stay active. But this may not be the case if you have diabetes. When insulin problems prevent your body from producing energy from sugar, you may become easily fatigued.
7. Feeling Sleepy Easily

Feeling sleepy after staying up late to do assignments or watch your favorite series is normal.
However, if you often feel sleepy for no apparent reason, this could be a sign of diabetes at a young age, as the body’s cells are deprived of sugar for energy because it remains trapped in the blood.
8. Dry Eyes and Blurred Vision

High blood sugar can disrupt the body’s regulation of fluids and damage the small blood vessels in the eyes. As a result, your eyes may feel dry, look swollen, and your vision may become blurred. According to reports, 13% of young people with diabetes experience eye problems.[4]
9. Wounds That Become Infected Easily and Heal Slowly

In people with diabetes, reduced oxygen flow due to poor blood circulation makes it difficult for white blood cells to reach injured areas, so wounds can become infected easily. In addition, the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is also impaired, causing wounds to take longer to heal.[5]
10. Dry Skin

Signs of diabetes affecting the skin at a young age include dull, dry, cracked, or even scaly skin. This occurs because frequent urination to reduce blood sugar leaves the body short of fluids.
Causes of Diabetes

Research shows that diabetes in young people is more often associated with obesity and lifestyle than with heredity.[6][7] Some factors that may contribute include:
- Spending more time lying around or using a computer or phone than exercising.
- Eating foods high in calories, saturated fat, and sugar.
- Frequently staying up late.
How to Manage Diabetes the Right Way
Ignoring diabetes for a long time can put vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, and eyes, at risk of damage. To avoid these harmful effects, here are some solutions you can try:
1. Get Treatment

Treatment may include oral medications that help insulin work more effectively and lower blood sugar, or insulin injections. Your doctor will recommend the most suitable treatment.
2. Make Lifestyle Changes

Set aside time for physical activity, eat appropriate portions, reduce sugar and carbohydrates, and make sure fiber is an important part of your diet.
3. Take Sido Muncul Diabe

This herbal supplement contains extracts of cat’s whiskers leaves, mulberry leaves, meniran, and Indonesian bay leaves to help relieve diabetes symptoms safely, so you can feel more comfortable throughout the day and commemorate World Diabetes Day.
Preventing Diabetes at a Young Age

You can help prevent diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly for 30 minutes a day, getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, and quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
Health is the most valuable long-term investment. If you notice signs of diabetes at a young age, seek medical advice promptly so you can receive timely and appropriate care.
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