Symptoms of Diabetes - 3 Symptoms for Serous Concern

Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes have many symptoms in common. Having a right knowledge of diabetes symptoms can be highly helping for a diabetic to take timely treatment. Here is a focus on three warning symptoms that are usual in case of diabetes of any type.

Weight loss: Noticing unusual weight loss is one of the warning symptoms of diabetes. Body weight loss is a usual phenomenon with a back screen of multilateral factors. What is inherent with diabetes that makes a diabetic helpless when thrown to weight loss is our main concern. It's nice to reason that eating more beyond optimal peak triggers the system to gain weight. But, when the food intake is not burnt as a whole in a diabetic body to gear up the energy, the body remains lazy in structural make up. So, the weight goes down instead of gaining.

Weight gain: In the list of signs and symptoms of diabetes, gaining over weight otherwise known as obesity is equally as bad as losing weight. Gaining body's weight is also a fraternal factor when a person is prone to diabetes. What is consumed should undergo the process of conversion into energy with the help of insulin secretion. It is the sympathy with a diabetic that the internal combustion of the consumed food is weak and there is the failure of regeneration of the body cells. Consequently, the diabetic patient suffers a degeneration of vigor lacking vital sources for energy. Naturally, he feeds his stomach with no justification and this added food intake sky rockets the body weight. Having on hand AWH (Age - Height - Weight) chart for reference may be helping at all occasions to keep fit with optimal weight.

Frequent urination: This is another warning symptom of diabetes for concern. When the body takes in food for energy, the normal process of the body mechanism is expected to burn the food for regenerating the millions of body cells. With type 2 diabetes, this mechanism fails to function satisfactorily and the consumed food remains stagnant in the blood stream in the form of blood glucose. Excess amount of saturated sugar accumulated in the body strives to find an exit from the system. Urination is one channel through which the excessive deposit of saturated sugar is let out frequently. Though there is less water intake, the density of glucose sugar gives pressure to be let out through frequent urination.

Diabetes Mellitus - Causes and Symptoms

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes Mellitus is a change in the internal chemistry within your body due to a failure in the production of the hormone insulin, which results in abnormally high levels of glucose within the blood.

How does insulin control blood sugar levels?

Insulin is produced in the pancreas and is the only hormone that reduces blood glucose levels. It does this in three ways:

By increasing the amount of glucose stored in the liver in the form of glycogenBy preventing the liver from releasing too much glucoseBy encouraging cells elsewhere in the body to take up the glucose.

The effects of failing insulin production

When insulin production fails or diminishes it has a dramatic effect on the whole system because the blood glucose levels continue to rise. When this occurs glucose is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted via the urine. When filtering out the glucose the kidneys excrete more salt and water than is normal and thus there is excessive urine production - known as polyuria.
This process causes excess thirst and dehydration very quickly.

As well as the functions described above insulin acts to prevent weight loss and build body tissue, so if there is a problem with it's production the sufferer can experience weight loss.

Symptoms

ThirstDehydrationPassing large quantitues of urineUrinary tract infectionsWeight lossTiredness and lethargyBlurred vision resulting from dehydration of the lens in the eye

Different types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a complete failure in the production of insulin.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus exhibits some production of insulin but not enough and can also be combined with a reduced body response to insulin.

Who gets diabetes mellitus?

Type 1 is associated with younger people and although there may be a genetic link (scientists have identified a diabetes gene) a strong family link does not necessarily mean all the family will have or develop diabetes.

Some viral infections have been associated with diabetes such as mumps but there is no definite link bewteen general infections such as coughs and colds and the onset of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in women than it is in men and affects people in later life often those that are overweight and eat a poor unbalanced diet.

Secondary diabetes affect people that develop the condition secondary to other problems, for example pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), Cushing's syndrome (the body produces too much steroid) or acromegaly (the body produces too much growth hormone).

 

Warning Symptoms of Diabetes - Two Common Symptoms

There are many symptoms attributed to the prevalence of diabetes. But, all the symptoms need not be felt or noticed simultaneously. It is also not mandatory that the occurrence of diabetes should follow after a symptom. This is because of the basic theory about diabetes that it is a silent visitor in any individual. Though you may experience a different condition of the body, it need not be related to diabetes. The new symptomatic experience may be due to some other reason in some cases. The symptoms could just be tentative complaints in your body. So, it may be consoling you that the noticed symptom need not be taken for acquiring diabetic condition. It is needless to get panic-stricken. But at the same time it is too risky for you to ignore any new symptoms and signs related to body's health condition.

Warning symptoms of diabetes:

Though there are some early symptoms of diabetes, some of them are not so serious to be taken for life threatening. Here we are concerned with common symptoms like numbness in hands and degenerated vision with the onset of diabetes. What you should do in such situation is to consult a doctor and get diagnosed thoroughly. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, starting treatment will be safe on your part.

Numbness in hands: A numbness or tingling sensation in your hands or feet is a warning sign of diabetes. When there is undue rise in blood sugar, the blood stream gets mixed with saturated blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes symptoms are felt slowly in which the sufferer is unaware of the same. Numbness rightly identified as sensory loss is a condition of high blood sugar. The elevated blood sugar in the circulation system affects the body or any part of the body. This is due to the central nervous system being affected by the increased sugar level. The damage to the nervous system naturally causes numbness or tingling sensation in hands or feet.

Blurring vision: When you allow your blood glucose to creep up, the saturated glucose spoils the purity of the blood stream. The blood supply to the retina behind the eye is thus interrupted resulting in retinopathy or degenerated vision. Blurred vision is a sign of extreme fatigue. But, the symptom threatens in a diabetic even just one hour after taking food. This is due to the condition of the consumed food being not burnt to energy either by non secretion or by insufficient secretion of insulin. However, early diagnosis and treatment may be good.

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Pregnancy and Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy is one of the happiest moments of women's lives because this is the time when the most precious gift of God which is life is given to both husband and wife. However, to some women this stage is very critical because this is the time when gestational diabetes can possibly occur. It is one of the several types of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. It strangely affects the health of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes usually begins in the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy and will usually disappear after delivery.

Diabetes is a kind of disease in which the pancreas is no longer able produce insulin in the proper way which resulted to high sugar level in the blood. Moreover in the normal case, the pancreas will produce the right amount of insulin which can accommodate the quantity of sugar in the blood, but in the case of a diabetic patient, the pancreas will only produce little insulin or none at all. In the case of this type of diabetes, the pancreas of a woman is producing enough amount of insulin but it is partially blocked by some hormones like progesterone, estrogen and cortisol. This scenario is then called resistance to insulin.

Causes of gestational diabetes may include gestational diabetes in the previous pregnancy, age of the patient and her family background about diabetes. The size of the child during the previous birth is also a factor that can trigger this kind of diabetes to occur. Obesity during pregnancy is also one of the obvious causes of this disease.

Generally, the symptoms of this type of diabetes are very much difficult to diagnose during the early months of pregnancy. However, there are cases when the symptoms of such disease can be easily observed. These symptoms usually include increased body weight, repeated vaginal infections, feeling hunger or thirst and excessive urination. If you are a pregnant woman who experienced the symptoms of this disease, it is very important for you need to immediately consult your doctor to avoid future complications. In most cases, symptoms of this kind of diabetes occur in the 20th and 28th week of pregnancy.

Moreover if you have already experienced the symptoms of this kind of disease, it is necessary for you to choose the foods that you are going to eat. You must avoid yourself from eating foods that are rich in sugar and saturated fats. You should also start eating foods that are rich in fibers. You also need to have a regular exercise in order for you to maintain a healthy weight. You must not forget to monitor your blood sugar every now and then.

Pregnant women should not panic about the idea of gestational diabetes during pregnancy because it can happen to anyone. However symptoms of gestational diabetes must be taken seriously because it can put the life of the mother and her child into great danger when not properly managed. Pregnant women should always be careful with their health because whatever happens to them will also affect their babies inside their tummies.

Hyperglycemia - High Blood Glucose Symptoms Management

Hyperglycemia is a common type of complication among diabetes patient. Many people with diabetes will suffer from it every now and then if they don't keep to a strict diet and exercise regime. Like all diseases, Hyperglycemia can be treated easily if the high blood sugar symptoms are detected early. Checking your blood glucose level periodically is very important for diabetes patient.

How does hyperglycemia happen?

Hyperglycemia is high blood glucose sugar which happens if the body has very little insulin or if the body cannot use the insulin produced in a proper way. Persons having type 1 would not have administered sufficient insulin or those having type 2 may have enough insulin but it is not quite effective. The patient could have exercised less or ate more than the requisite amount. The patient could also be suffering from other conditions such as flu or cold or it could be other unrelated problems such as family disturbances or problems with dating.

Symptoms to be noticed in Hyperglycemia

The symptoms must be understood in order to know what to do when one has Hyperglycemia. Commonly one would notice high glucose in the blood, and high levels of sugar in the urine. Sometimes it also results in frequent urination or an increased feeling of thirstiness. Hyperglycemia related problems can be cured by having appropriate treatment early.

What to do when you have high blood glucose symptoms?

It is very important to treat hyperglycemia as soon as possible because if one tarries then a condition called diabetic coma (ketoacidosis) can occur. Ketoacidosis is a condition in which the body doesn't have sufficient insulin. Without the insulin the body is unable to use the glucose for energy so the body starts breaking the fat cells for energy. One can lower the blood glucose level by exercising but if the person has ketones or if the blood glucose level is above 240 mg/dl then he must not exercise. If the person exercises when ketones are present then the blood glucose level may go even higher. In consultation with the doctor one must decide on the safest way to lower the glucose level.

Reducing the intake of food can also help to lower the glucose level. If these don't work then the amount of medication or the insulin dosage must be changed. On the other hand, you can change the time where you administer the doses. Problems that may occur if one doesn't treat Hyperglycemia

Quick and timely treatment must be taken for Hyperglycemia as it might lead to serious consequences. When the body doesn't have enough insulin Ketoacidosis develop. Her fat cells are broken down. Ketones are produce in the process of breaking down the fat cells, and the body is unable to sustain such large volume of ketones. In such a case, the body tries to lose these ketones by sending them out through urine. Unfortunately, all the ketones cannot be sent out in this way. Ketoacidosis is a very serious condition and one can easily detect the symptoms through breath shortness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and a fruity breath.

Hyperglycemia causes complications in diabetes and it has to be treated early on in consultation with a doctor or it could prove life-threatening.

Know the Symptoms of Adult Onset Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, also known as Adult Onset Diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes and has no known cure. People who have this type of the disease cannot produce enough insulin on their own and a person can become hypoglycemic. A person cannot then store blood sugars in the body for later conversion to energy. This type of chronic diabetes is managed through medications and dietary changes as directed by a healthcare professional.

Adult Onset Diabetes may not have any early symptoms because the disease progresses rather slowly. Most people who acquire the disease are overweight and do not exercise as much as recommended. If a person's family has a history of the disease, or if a person has high cholesterol, then their chances increase even more for developing the condition.

The most common symptoms of Adult Onset Diabetes include an increase in thirst, hunger and frequent urination. Men report feeling tired and may have problems with erectile dysfunction. Blurred vision or other vision changes may occur. In addition, a person with Type 2 diabetes may also notice that wounds are slow to heal. Weight loss, recurrent infections and itchy skin are also reported symptoms of Adult Onset Diabetes.

It is important to be tested for diabetes if a person has these symptoms with no known cause. A fasting blood glucose level test or a Hemoglobin A1c test can be performed by a doctor to check for Adult Onset Diabetes. This type of chronic diabetes is managed through medications and dietary changes which aid in the production of insulin.

Early Symptoms of Diabetes to Look Out For

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease which affects many people worldwide. Chronic uncontrolled diabetes is a major source of death and disability because of the damage it causes to many different tissues and organ systems throughout the body. Over time it causes blood vessel disease which can lead to heart disease and heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. It also has negative effects on the kidneys, eyes and the immune system, to name just a few other long-term damaging effects of diabetes.

Because it is so common and so damaging, many people begin to wonder how to know if they have diabetes. What are the ? This is actually a very important question because the earlier diabetes is caught, the better the chance of treating it effectively and preventing or minimizing the long-term complications that can occur.

The hallmark of diabetes is poorly controlled blood sugar (glucose). Normally, the blood glucose level hovers throughout the day in a fairly tightly controlled range. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, helps to lower levels of glucose while other hormones (and eating carbohydrates) raise them. The balance between them helps keep glucose levels normal. In diabetes there is an imbalance because insulin is not working as it should to lower blood sugar levels. The glucose goes up and stays high at most times. This high level of glucose in the blood is termed hyperglycemia.

Diabetes Symptoms

When blood sugar levels are very high there are a number of acute symptoms which can occur. The most common are the three 'P's', polyphagia (increased hunger), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyuria (frequent urination). The high blood sugar causes the blood to become thickened, more concentrated, because of the sugar dissolved in it. Sugar also gets dumped in the urine by the kidney which pulls water with it, dehydrating the body and further concentrating body fluids. The net effect is that the body gets dehydrated and urination increases. The brain senses the dehydration and causes an increased sense of thirst and hunger. Other symptoms that can occur with hyperglycemia include blurred vision, fatigue, dry mouth, dry or itchy skin and recurrent infections (such as vaginal yeast infections, groin rashes and others), among others.

Early Diabetes Symptoms

However, these symptoms generally only occur with quite high levels of blood sugar when diabetes is quite severe. In early diabetes, symptoms can be less common. In fact, in very early diabetes patients may be completely asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms. Also, the early symptoms may be mild and may not be noticed or passed off as something less important. At this early stage, sometimes referred to as prediabetes, the blood glucose levels are elevated above normal, but not yet in the high range which could be diagnosed as diabetes. While it is not yet severe, it is still important because the increased sugar may already be doing damage to your organs and most people with prediabetes will go on to develop diabetes in time if they do not make changes in their life to prevent it.

So if early symptoms are absent or mild how do you know if you should be worried about diabetes? For one, simply educating yourself (as you are doing now) about the signs and symptoms of diabetes help to make you more aware so that if you do experience early symptoms you recognize them. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have any concern or suspicion, seek the advice of your own doctor. They can counsel you about your risks for diabetes and perform simple tests which can help identify early diabetes.

Diabetes Risk Factors

One final suggestion is to learn more about your own risk for diabetes. Even if you do not yet have symptoms, knowing whether you are at high risk for developing diabetes can help you to be aware and get screened early. The most common form of diabetes is called Type II Diabetes, adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. While it generally occurs in adults it can affect younger individuals too, particularly if they are considerably overweight. Many of the risk factors for this type of diabetes are well understood. First and foremost, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity) both increase your risk for type II diabetes considerably. There is also a strong genetic link to diabetes which means that family history and ethnicity are important predictors. If you have close family members (parents and/or siblings especially) with Type II diabetes then your risk is greater. Also, individuals of African American, Native American, some Asian and Latino decent are at highest risk for diabetes. Age is also an important factor. As mentioned above, while diabetes can occur at almost any age, its risk increases as one gets older. Finally, in women, a history of gestational diabetes, high blood sugar during pregnancy, is another risk factor.

If you have one or more of these risk factors, your chances of developing diabetes are greater than the general public and you should be on the look out for it. Talk to your doctor about it and ask if getting screened for prediabetes or diabetes is advisable. Also, if you think you are at risk for diabetes or know you have early diabetes, there are changes you can make to help prevent it progressing and causing long-term complications. While some of the risk factors cannot be changed (age, family history, ethnicity, etc.), some are called modifiable risk factors which can be changed. If you improve them, your risk for diabetes will decrease. The best examples are obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Increasing physical activity and exercise both help to control blood glucose and help to control weight. Improving diet and loosing weight can significantly improve your body's ability to keep glucose in a normal range. Other factors, such as quitting smoking, and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol can be useful as well. While they do not directly impact diabetes, they are also risk factors for heart disease, stroke and other blood vessel diseases. Controlling diabetes as well as these other risk factors will greatly decrease your chances of developing these diseases as well.

A Note on Type I Diabetes

Type I Diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes and insulin dependent diabetes, is a less common form of diabetes. It most commonly presents in childhood although it can affect anyone. In a sense it is a more severe form of the disorder because the pancreas which secretes insulin is completely dysfunctional and there is little or no insulin secreted. Therefore, this form generally presents earlier with more severe symptoms. Patients can quickly develop severe hyperglycemia and the symptoms associated with it (increased thirst, hunger, frequent urination, etc.). In addition, if untreated by insulin injections, patients can develop diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma, potentially life-threatening conditions which require emergent treatment. The risk factors for Type I diabetes are less well understood.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, stay aware of the early signs of diabetes as well as the risk factors which are associated with the disease. By being educated you can better judge your personal risk for the disease and better catch early signs of the disease. Again, if in doubt, ask your doctor. Making an early diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes can help prevent the long-term damage that diabetes can do. It allows you to make changes in your life (improved diet, weight loss, exercise, etc.) which can help control diabetes and prevent the death and disability associated with poorly controlled diabetes.