If you see ants congregating around your urine, it likely means you have too much sugar in your system. Is it a definite sign of diabetes? Not necessarily.
“Not everyone who has ants in their urine is automatically diabetic,” notes Westlake Medical Center endocrinologist Dr. Andres Ebison Jr. “But when this happens it means the sugar level in the blood is already too high that it’s already spilling into the urine.” It might or might not be a sign of diabetes, so it’s best to consult a doctor right away.
Weight loss and numbing limbs
There are other signs to look out for to know if you have diabetes.
“These symptoms include excessive weight loss or unexplainable weight drop, excessive thirst or hunger, and uncontrollable urination, especially at night,” Dr. Ebison says. “They also include extreme fatigue after doing very little and having infections in various parts of the body.”
To those already living with diabetes, there are symptoms that might indicate they need to take care of themselves better or they need to seek medical attention.
Prickly sensation on the foot, and numbness of the legs and hands can be complications of diabetes, or what’s called diabetic neuropathy where sugar gradually damages the body’s nerves. To reduce symptoms of neuropathy, patients need to take their medicine on schedule, keep their blood sugar at target level, and regularly meet their doctor.
Affects the young and old
Diabetes is classified into three groups. Type 1 diabetes is the result of a damaged pancreas, the body’s main source of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent diabetes in the world, results when the pancreas is unable to sufficiently produce insulin or the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Gestational diabetes results when sugar levels increase among pregnant women. Once they give birth, the condition is expected to disappear.
“Diabetes doesn’t choose age. It can affect anyone, even children or newborns,” Dr. Ebison notes. “Children often get Type 1 diabetes, so they have to take medication, particularly insulin, for their entire life.”
If you’re manifesting symptoms of diabetes or want to know more about the disease, you can visit Westlake Medical Center. To get expert medical advice regularly, follow Westlake Medical Center at https://www.facebook.com/WestlakeMedCenterPH/ and at https://www.tiktok.com/@wmctiktok