Diabetes is often associated with symptoms like frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, and blurry vision. However, other little-known indicators can also point to this condition. Read on to learn about a surprising diabetes symptom that can aid timely diagnosis.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is frighteningly common in the U.S. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, this condition affects over 37 million people in the country, out of which 8.5 million may still be undiagnosed. Living with this disease without appropriate treatment can lead to serious complications, such as nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, etc. Needless to say, recognizing the early signs of diabetes can be a question of life and death.
You may be surprised to find that changes to your sense of taste might point to this disease. Diabetes can affect your pancreas, which plays an important role in insulin regulation. If this organ can’t do its job properly, your blood sugar levels may rise, resulting in a sweet taste in your mouth. In addition, a sweet, fruity smell and taste, sometimes compared to the odor of acetone, can also indicate an acute diabetes complication called ketoacidosis. This scenario requires immediate treatment.
Regardless of whether the sweet taste you’re experiencing is related to diabetes or not, it’s highly recommended that you investigate its cause. Changes to your senses can be signs of neurological issues, sinus infections, and various other health concerns, so they shouldn’t be ignored.
