Gestational Diabetes Symptoms

Gestational diabetes symptoms are common to pregnancy symptoms, too, so it is challenging to diagnose gestational diabetes based on symptoms.

Gestational diabetes symptoms

The three major gestational diabetes symptoms are Polyuria (frequent urination), Polydipsia (frequent thirst) & Polyphagia (increased appetite). 

A complete list of gestational diabetes symptoms are:

1. Polyuria – urge to urinate frequently and in large quantities. Kidney tries flushing out excess glucose in the blood as urine. Thus, gestational diabetes women urinate often and or in large amounts.
2. Polydipsia – means unquenchable thirst. Polyuria leads to liquid depletion; kidney releases renin-angiotensin that signal thirst by causing dry mouth and throat. Thus, gestational diabetes having frequent massive thirst.
3. Polyphagia – have frequent and increased appetite. The thirst mechanism in 40% of people has mistakenly recognized as hunger. Also, the tired feeling is a signal for energy that develops hunger.
4. Feeling tired - Lack of glucose utilization, removal of vital minerals, and dehydration leads to lack of energy. Thus gestational diabetic’s feeling tired.
5. Blurred vision - Increased blood-sugar level makes the eye lens and (or) corneal tissue to swell, results in vision problem (blurred vision).  With proper treatment, if the blood sugar level returns to normal, the blurred vision disappears.
6. Dry, itchy skin - Dehydration and inadequate supply of nutrients to the skin make the skin itchy.
7. Numbness or Tingling sensation in feet - Numbness or tingling sensation is generally the short supply of nutrients to the extremities. 
8. Sores heal slowly - Healing takes longer due to low nutrient supply and inefficient immune system function.
9. Sudden weight gain - because of frequent hunger, continuous dumping of food items, and unnecessary fat storage leads to weight gain. 

All of these symptoms are common during pregnancy too, so it is difficult to diagnose gestational diabetes based on symptoms. 

The only way to diagnose gestational diabetes for sure is gestational diabetes screening tests.