German Researchers say it may
signal a blood sugar imbalance.
Diabetes can affect your health in various ways, from your head to
your toes, and experts are still learning about how it might affect your
health. Some of the subtle ways your body responds as you become insulin
resistant and sugar builds up in your bloodstream may surprise you. A team of
German researchers believes a connection exists between the color of your
eyebrows as you age and your diabetes risk. If you notice this one thing, they
say, you should ask your doctor for a fasting glucose test. Read on to find out
which surprising symptom raises eyebrows in the medical community and which
other diabetes symptoms should be on your radar.
If you have gray hair, but your eyebrows haven't changed, get
checked for diabetes.
According to a 2006 study in Germany, diabetes may affect your
eyebrow color as you age—specifically, it may delay your graying. The
researcher collected 100 men with gray hair, 50 of them had gray eyebrows, and
the other 50 did not and compared the rates of diabetes in both groups. Seventy-six
percent of the men with unchanged eyebrows had diabetes, whereas only 18
percent of the gray-browed men had a blood sugar imbalance. The lead study
author, Uwe Wollina, M.D., Ph.D., said at the time of the study's
release, "Diabetes may cause a delay or inhibition of graying in the
eyebrow hair follicles."
While the exact cause for this theorized delay is unknown and more
research is needed to confirm the study's results, this is not the only way
that diabetes can affect your hair follicles. Researchers have also found that
those with diabetes are more likely to experience alopecia areata, which
manifests in patches of hair loss.
Look out for these other symptoms of diabetes.
While eyebrow color may be linked to diabetes, some symptoms are
considered much more common and more likely to lead to a diagnosis.
These symptoms include a frequent need to urinate, abnormal thirst
or hunger, unintentional weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue, skin changes,
slow healing sores on the legs or feet, and frequently recurring infections
such as yeast infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). If you notice any of these or other signs of a blood sugar
imbalance, check with your doctor.
Find out if you're at high risk for diabetes.
Knowing whether you're at high risk may also help you identify a
problem sooner. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are overweight, inactive,
or have a family history of diabetes, you may be at higher risk for type 2
diabetes. According to the Clinic, your chance of developing diabetes increases
with age, and if you are Black, Asian American, Hispanic, or Native American,
you are more likely to get diabetes.
Having a personal history of certain conditions can also increase
your chances of developing a blood sugar imbalance. These include having
developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, having polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS), having high blood pressure, and having abnormal cholesterol or
triglyceride levels.
Controlling your diabetes is crucial to your health.
If you have diabetes, you must manage your blood sugar levels and
keep them within the target range. According to the CDC, this is the best way
to "prevent or delay long-term, serious health problems [associated with
diabetes], such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease."
The health authority suggests tracking your blood sugar levels and
noting what makes them spike or fall. Choosing foods that are lower in
calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and salt, and eating controlled portions
of healthy meals at regular times of day, will help you maintain a healthy
weight and stabilize your glucose levels. The CDC further advises to get
regular exercise, limit your alcohol intake, and replace juice and soda with
water.
And, if you have not been diagnosed with diabetes but suspect that you may have symptoms, speak with your doctor immediately. A simple blood test can help you reach a diagnosis and take charge of your health.