Diabetes mellitus or commonly referred to as diabetes is a disease caused by damage to the regulation of blood sugar levels in the body. Diabetes can cause long-term damage or complications to various organs such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels and heart.

According to data from the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), the highest number of diabetes mellitus is the 15-year-old population. But only 30 percent have been diagnosed, while the rest do not realize he has diabetes.

In Indonesia, the number increased from 5.7 percent in 2007 to 6.9 percent in 2013. It is also estimated that in 2030 the number of people with diabetes mellitus in Indonesia will reach 21.3 million people. Diabetes in Indonesia is the third leading cause of death with a percentage of 6.7 percent after heart (12.9%) and stroke (21.1%).

Based on data from Indonesia's population who have diabetes, early detection is needed to find out if you have the risk of diabetes. How to detect diabetes? Perhaps the most accurate way is to do a blood test in the laboratory.

However, there are several symptoms that can be used to detect early diabetes. These symptoms can already be felt, but have not been realized even sometimes ignored. Here are seven symptoms of diabetes that are often overlooked.

Early symptoms for detecting diabetes

1. Feet hurts and numbness

Very high blood sugar levels will cause damage to the body's nerves. Not everyone who experiences these symptoms. But people who have diabetes, will feel numbness, tingling, and pain in the body, especially in the legs. Symptoms like this usually occur in someone who has had diabetes for 5 years or more.

1. Blurred vision

A blurred view of diabetes usually comes from lens disorders (cataracts) or ocular nerve disorders (diabetic retinopathy). High blood sugar conditions can trigger a buildup of protein in the eye lens so that the cataract process occurs. Uncontrolled blood sugar can also cause the small blood vessels in the eye to be disturbed and even rupture so that the eye nerve (retina) cannot work properly.

1. Changes in skin conditions

High insulin levels encourage pigments that cause black spots on the skin. If there is a change in the skin, it could be a sign that you have diabetes. Changes can be marked by dark, scaly skin, until early wrinkles appear.

1. Vulnerable to infection or disease

Someone with early symptoms of diabetes tends to be more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections because they have a decreased immune system. The microorganism requires glucose as its energy source. The infection can grow in warm and moist skin folds, such as between the fingers and toes, under the breasts, or in or around the genitals.

1. Red and swollen gums

Diabetes can weaken your immune system and your ability to fight infections thereby increasing the risk of infection in your teeth and gums. Your gums can be swollen or may be injured.

1. Slow healing of wounds

High blood sugar can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage in the body area so that it interferes with your body's natural healing process.

Knowing the symptoms of diabetes early will make it easier for you to deal with these symptoms and can even prevent them. Diabetes can be prevented by doing regular exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping blood sugar levels normal.

To maintain normal blood sugar levels, you must limit your consumption of sugar, but that does not mean you are anti-sugar, all you can do is replace your daily sugar. Use low-calorie and sugar-free sweeteners to prevent diabetes and control calorie intake. That way, you don't need to worry