The silent destroyer of the body: Almaty doctors name dangerous symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes can quietly undermine a person's health for years without showing any obvious signs. During a briefing at the Regional Communications Service, endocrinologists from Almaty shared ways to detect this dangerous condition early and highlighted its initial warning signs.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, 589 million people aged 20 to 79 lived with this condition in 2024, meaning nearly one in every nine people globally. Most alarmingly, roughly 252 million of them remain completely unaware that they have the disease.

Living a full life with the condition

Physicians emphasize that the primary danger of diabetes lies in its asymptomatic progression. A person may feel completely healthy while high blood glucose levels steadily and methodically damage their body.

Svetlana Kazaryan, an endocrinologist at Almaty City Hospital No. 7, noted that medicine has made monumental strides in combating the disease over the past century. The discovery of insulin a little over a hundred years ago saved millions of lives. While type 1 diabetes was once considered a death sentence, patients today can live normally for decades, build successful careers, and start families.

Ayman Oshanova, an endocrinologist at Almaty City Polyclinic No. 28, listed the key symptoms that signal the onset of the disease:

• constant thirst and a dry mouth;

• frequent trips to the restroom, especially at night;

• increased appetite coupled with unexplained weight loss;

• persistent weakness and rapid fatigue.

In addition, declining vision, slow-healing wounds, and frequent skin or fungal infections should prompt an immediate visit to a doctor.

According to specialists, early-stage type 2 diabetes may present no visible signs whatsoever. Individuals continue living their usual routines while elevated blood sugar secretly harms their blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and nervous system. This is precisely why routine preventive checkups are essential.

Medical recommendations

Healthcare professionals recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle to lower the probability of developing type 2 diabetes. To achieve this, individuals should:

• maintain a balanced diet;

• minimize sugary drinks and foods high in added sugars;

• control body weight and exercise regularly;

• quit smoking, monitor blood pressure, and undergo timely medical screenings.

Notably, earlier research from Danish scientists revealed that type 2 diabetes can also trigger binge eating episodes alongside blood sugar imbalances.