What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Health & FitnessCancer / Illness

  • Author Paul Stainthorpe
  • Published June 20, 2008
  • Word count 1,072

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

The symptoms of diabetes may develop extremely quickly (over the course of weeks or even days) in children or adolescents who had previously been exhibiting signs of health. However, in adults over the age of 40 the symptoms can appear very gradually.

In type 1 diabetics, a condition called ketoacidosis is common. This occurs when acid compounds (ketones) form in the blood. If untreated, this can result in extremely serious complications and even death, but it can be the first indicator of the presence of type 1 diabetes.

Amongst type 2 diabetics, the condition may not be picked up on until the patient comes in for other medical treatment. The symptoms of the two forms of diabetes are listed below.

What might the symptoms be of a type 1 diabetic?

Symptom checklist for type 1 diabetic:

• Weakness or fatigue

• Blurred vision

• Exceptional thirst

• Dry mouth

• Frequent urination

• Loss of weight

What might the symptoms be of a type 2 diabetic?

Symptom checklist for type 2 diabetic:

• Cuts or sores that take a long time to heal

• Itching skin or yeast infections

• Blurred vision

• Dry mouth

• Frequent urination

• Excessive thirst

• Leg pain

Pre Diabetes Symptoms

Pre diabetes is a condition where no physical symptoms are seen although you are predisposed to having diabetes because of the risk factors that are present – like history of diabetes in the family, obesity, age, sedentary lifestyle, insulin resistance, smoking, alcoholic abuse and an unhealthy lifestyle. To detect this condition, usually a blood test is taken and processed with the different risk factors. An elevated glucose level is not yet indicative of diabetes but a retest can be taken to confirm it.

Insulin resistance, the main cause of pre diabetes initiates a disparity between glucose and insulin levels in the blood. This may result in obesity via an unhealthy lifestyle and food intake. This condition is reversible, based mainly on losing weight and having a more active and healthy lifestyle. If it is not treated, it will eventually lead to type 2 diabetes which does not have a treatment, only management and possibly requiring daily insulin injections to maintain blood glucose in normal levels.

The common symptoms of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are similar to those felt by diabetics, as compared to those who are already diagnosed with it. Pre diabetes symptoms are mainly due to obesity. The first symptom is usually an increase in urination, wherein the body is trying to lower down the excessive glucose in the body by flushing it out with water. An increased feeling of thirst is due to the dehydration of cells because of polyuria. Tiredness and fatigue occurs since the glucose is not being utilised by the cells thus no energy is produced. A marked weight loss is observed in spite of an increase in appetite for the reason that the body cannot utilise the food, specifically the carbohydrates, into energy and fat, so it cannot be stored and you lose weight. A feeling of being ill is due to decrease in energy production by the cells. Blurred vision occurs when the high levels of glucose in the blood causes water from the lens to go outward and deforming the lens, making the vision unfocused. Genital infection and thrush is caused by the drying up of skin due to increased blood sugar.

Some individuals with type 2 diabetes feel slightly unwell or may think they are just aging. Almost everyone suffering from this condition first has pre diabetes, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher than a normal individuals but have not yet reached the range of type 2 diabetics. Fortunately, pre diabetes doesn't automatically become the irreversible Type 2 variety, which must be managed throughout the individuals lifetime and most likely will require daily insulin. General causes of pre diabetes are resistance to insulin and being overweight, which can generaly be corrected by changing to a balanced regular exercise a nutritious diet and support to encourage healthier lifestyle changes.

Being overweight is the main cause of insulin resistance which causes the development of pre diabetes. Reversing the effects of insulin resistance is important in preventing the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and the risk of having cardiovascular problems. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that breaks down glucose to facilitate its entry into the cell and be converted into energy. Being insulin resistant means that the cells react slowly to insulin, thus lowering the rate in which glucose is utilised and in turn increasing the glucose in the blood leading to pre diabetes. Some of the free glucose in the blood are sent to the liver to initiate lipogenesis, or the production of lipids and stored as fat. An increase in insulin in the blood stream stimulates the liver to produce more lipids and cholesterol, thus making the heart more prone to disease and myocardial infarction.

The links between insulin resistance, obesity and pre diabetes are complicated. Insulin resistance leads to obesity and causes pre diabetes while obesity makes insulin resistance worse; when insulin resistance gets worse, this consequently enhances the development of pre-diabetes. Pre diabetes is the precursor of type 2 or juvenile diabetes. There is no single solution that can treat all the symptoms of insulin resistance and pre diabetes. A treatment suggested is to control body weight buy using nutraceuticals which are vitamins, herbs and minerals that are specific for certain diseases. To enhance a healthy lifestyle, an exercise program can be undergone combined with nutritional guidance and support to be able to get your weight under control. This is an effective way to treat the symptoms of pre diabetes. Regular exercise increases the amount of insulin receptors on the cells thus more glucose can enter the cell and boost your energy. Muscles use up glucose for its energy, thus balancing glucose levels with insulin.

Other conditions and symptoms like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels that may arise because of pre diabetes should be consulted with a doctor or your healthcare provider. They should be treated with medications until weight is controlled and lowered to normal levels. As soon as the diet affects insulin production into normal, cholesterol and blood pressure will also normalise.

For more information on this article and diabetes please check out our website at: http://www.whatarethesymptomsofdiabetes.com

Paul Stainthorpe is a publisher of a diabetes website offering symptoms - http://www.whatarethesymptomsofdiabetes.com, He has written several informative articles on diabetes topics.

http://www.whatarethesymptomsofdiabetes.com

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