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Common Symptoms of Diabetes

Common Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is generally determined by the concentration of glucose in the blood. The amount of glucose in the blood is glycemia. The Glycemic Index indicates which carbohydrates have the highest levels of concentration of sugars and starches that make it so difficult for some diabetes to digest. Most diabetics have either Type I or Type II Diabetes.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes and the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Sometimes, the symptoms of diabetes can be difficult to identify because many of the common symptoms may not be present in all cases and they can appear and then disappear again. Additionally, some of the symptoms can also occur in other medical conditions making it more puzzling.

However, there are some classic symptoms or characteristics that are unique to diabetics. Frequent urination, extreme thirst and sudden severe weight loss for no reason are some examples of classic symptoms that suggests the possibility of diabetes. But sometimes no symptoms appear in Type 2 diabetes.

One distinctive attribute of diabetes is characterized by excessive levels of blood glucose from deficiencies in insulin production. But, there are differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (a.k.a. juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) often develops in children and young adults, whereas Type 2 diabetes (a.k.a. non insulin dependent) often develops in adulthood.

Another marked symptom of diabetes (both Type 1 and 2) is continual fatigue. Glucose is the major source of energy for our body, it powers the body’s functions from cell repair to major muscle movements. Since insulin is unable to perform its function properly by regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream, the diabetic will feel lethargic.

Other symptom of diabetes is blurred vision. However, blurred vision can also due to aging such as presbyopia (age-related problem with near vision). It typically starts at middle age, and is due to age-related loss of elasticity of the lens. But the cause in the case of diabetes can lead to blindness. This is because higher blood sugar levels can start to damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye in the retina over time.

People with Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for the development of infection and impaired wound healing. Cuts (particularly on the feet) are slower to heal. The effect of diabetes on wound healing is not yet fully understood and continues to be a focus of further research. Diabetics need to pay special attention to their diabetes care in general as well as to the critical illness, wound, or ulcer.

Tingling or numbness in hands and feet is also a warning sign or symptom of diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes where multiple daily injections of insulin and blood glucose tests are needed, Type 2 diabetes can often be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Type 2 is relatively easier to manage than Type 1 diabetes.

Since so many of these symptoms can also be produced by other medical conditions, the best thing to do in order to confirm whether you have diabetes or not, is to seek a professional help for proper diagnosis. Just a simple blood test will do the job.



Symptoms of Diabetes

Symptoms of Diabetes

While it’s very easy to test for diabetes symptom , a simple blood glucose test is the determining factor, diabetes may not be easily recognized at first since so many of its symptoms are also common complaints for people who do not have diabetes. For this reason, diabetes may often go undiagnosed for a period of time before it is discovered and treated, if it is discovered in time to prevent complications. Frequent urination, particularly at night, can also be a symptom of diabetes, but this symptom alone would not necessarily suggest the disease either. This symptom would also have to become pretty annoying and recurrent before it would prompt most people to consult a doctor. Unexplained weight loss is another possible sign of diabetes but again, not a significant indication that the individual necessarily has diabetes. In many cases, people who want to lose weight would consider this an unexpected blessing and might not consult their doctor unless they had lost a considerable amount of weight over a period of time. Skin infections, wounds that are slow to heal, particularly sores on the feet and ankles, and recurrent vaginal infections (in women), are signs of possible diabetes that are somewhat more likely to draw attention and result in a diagnosis. Blurred vision and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet are also possible indicators of diabetes, and since these symptoms can be troublesome, are more likely to result in medical attention and diagnosis. Individuals who experience several of the above-mentioned symptoms may have good reason to suspect diabetes, particularly if they are in any of the higher risk categories, and should contact their physician to request a simple blood glucose test which can either confirm or rule out diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and the symptoms are usually less severe. Some people may not notice any symptoms at all and their diabetes is only picked up in a routine medical check up. Some people may put the symptoms down to ‘getting older’ or ‘overwork’. Type 1 diabetes develops much more quickly, usually over a few weeks, and symptoms are normally very obvious. In both types of diabetes, the symptoms are quickly relieved once the diabetes is treated. Early treatment will also reduce the chances of developing serious health problems.

What Are Symptoms of Diabetes?

Previously I have discussed the signs and symptoms of diabetes, specifically on symptoms of diabetes type 1 and type 2. In short, the symptoms of diabetes include polydipsia, polyuria, increase fatigue, weight fluctuation, blurry vision, irritability, infections and poor wounding healing. When body develops from prediabetes and enter diabetes stage, it resulted in physiological and homeostatic changes. These changes include an increase in hormones production and elevate blood glucose level. Permanent changes or conversion from prediabetes to diabetes will result in serious Diabetes Complications and body indicates these changes by steady symptoms. The following are some symptoms of Diabetes Complications: 1. Diabetic Retinopathy – soreness in the eyes and may result in loss of vision 2. Renal (kidney) Disease – may cause edema or swelling in the feet and legs. The accumulation of water in the body gets more sever overtime and simultaneously increases blood pressure. 3. Skin Infection – Hands, feet and other parts of the body may develop numbness, burning or stabbing pain, especially in the night. This mode of infection is caused by diabetes neuropathy where damage nerves result in loss of feeling, pain or burning sensations. Individual that suffers from diabetes are subjected to bacteria or fungal infections. 4. Digestive Problems – Increase damage to nerves that control internal organs which is known as autonomic neuropathy. 5. Profuse Sweating – Damage to sweat glands which control the amount of volume secretion. This may in turn result in dehydration through sweating. 6. Bladder Problem – Dysfunctional bladder sensing thus result in water retention. 7. Chest Pain (angina) – Shortness of breath, dizziness or light migraine. May result in fast heartbeat which is also symptoms for heart attack or stroke. The reason for having heart attack is due to vessel constriction where narrowing vessels increases vascular diseases such as coronary artery diseases. Diabetes can result in many different complications, some of which are used by Michael as he has used The Diabetes Guide to help him identify the symptoms and some mode of preventive measures for diabetics. Michael is giving a more in-depth review of the various ways in which you can maintain blood glucose level.



Early Detection Diabetes Symptoms

Some Symptoms Of Diabetes In Children And Early Detection Can Save You A Lot Of Problems

To determine the symptoms of diabetes in children, parents must check if the child has sugar in his or her urine and monitor if the child visits the restroom very frequently. Does the child drink plenty of water, start to lose weight, feel hungry or tired all the time and observe if there are signs of the child becoming irritable easily.

Diabetes, a rather problematic disease, needs to be treated as soon as possible. Therefore, you must be on guard and look out for any possible diabetes symptoms in your child. If your child happened to be drinking much more water than usual, do not put restrictions on him or her, unless you are positive it is not a symptom of the disease. Otherwise, the child may risk getting dehydration since one of the symptoms is frequent urination.

The other symptom associated with children with diabetes is lethargy.
A diabetic child will tend to get tired easily and often very early in play, and more often than not, this symptom is related to acute thirst and frequent urination.

In order not to over-react or read the child diabetes symptoms wrongly, running a blood test will be the best and safest solution.

Besides acute or frequent thirst, the other equally common child diabetes symptom is excessive hunger. This symptom is one which is difficult for mothers to accept as a warning sign in their children. But if children gets overly thirsty and hungry most of the time, it must not be taken lightly. You will also find that despite increased hunger, the child does not gain but lose weight instead.

All of the above diabetes symptoms in children have to be read accurately so that treatments will not delayed and since diabetes is a serious disease it must be arrested and treated the soonest possible.

Symptoms Of Adult Diabetes

Adult diabetes is another name for type 2 diabetes or non insulin dependent diabetes. The name was probably given to differentiate it from juvenile diabetes that tended to occur in young people. Juvenile diabetes is now called type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. The names of these diseases have changed because it is not really the case that children only get type 1 diabetes and people in their 30’s can acquire type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ in one crucial aspect. In type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce insulin, in type 2 it does, but it is not effective and the body is said to be insulin resistant. Insulin is needed to help convert glucose in the bloodstream into energy and in the process reduce the level of sugar in the blood. When somebody has diabetes they can’t do this. High levels of blood sugar for any length of time can result in serious health problems.

Symptoms of diabetes type 2 are often hard to determine by the individual because they can be mild or sporadic. In some cases people that are type 2 diabetics will be unaware of it for years.

Some of the classic symptoms that may occur are :

Increased and excessive thirst or polydipsia

Increased hunger

Frequent and excessive urination or polyuria

Dry mouth

Constant tiredness and feeling weak

Nauseous or feeling like vomiting

Numbness in feet or hands

Frequent infections or susceptibility to cuts and grazes

Blurred vision

A person that has type 2 diabetes could have one or all of these symptoms. As you can see early symptoms of adult onset diabetes could be mistaken for a heavy night out, stress at work or some kind of infection.

The best way to confirm if you have the condition is to consult a doctor. The method used to diagnose the disease is to take a blood test. A common blood test for diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose test. The test is done after a period of about 8 hours when nothing has been eaten. This gives a clear indication that the glucose in the the blood is being reduced or otherwise.

Symptoms of adult diabetes are hard to determine so it makes sense to check any concerns you have with a doctor or incorporate it into any regular check ups. For example, getting an eye test or check up that is recommended once a year can be used to check that you don’t have diabetes. An Optician can check the retina for any unusual damage that can lead to the detection of diabetes.




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