Diabetes is a life long disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin that is normally required or it is unable to utilize the insulin it produces. In both situations the glucose level in the blood increases. This is harmful and life threatening in the long run. Therefore timely diagnosis and medications are a necessity. The difficulty is in timely diagnosis. This is because in the initial stages the
Diabetes Symptoms are very subtle or sometimes non existent. Research finding of American Diabetes Association reveal that in United States itself there are around 6 million people who are unaware that they are diabetic.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Excessive Thirst and Frequent Urge to Urinate: In Diabetes there is a build up of glucose in the blood. Due to insufficient production of insulin or due to insulin resistance the glucose does not reach the body cells and tissues. As a result the kidneys work overtime to reduce the blood glucose level through urination. Additionally, due to increased osmotic pressure of the blood there is loss of water from the tissues also. This leads to increased urination with is the cause for excessive thirst.
- Blurred Vision: Like Loss of fluid from the body tissues diabetes causes loss of fluid from the tissues in the eyes. There is loss of fluid from the lens also. Excessive dryness in the eyes leads to blurred vision. In some people this is only a mild problem like dark spots and flashing lights in front of the eyes. But in some advances cases Diabetes is also know to cause blindness.
- Weight Loss: In diabetes the glucose which is the source of instant energy in the body does not reach the body cells where they can be used to release energy. Therefore body gnaws into its emergency fast reserves for meeting the day to day requirements. As a result the fat molecules are continuously used up by the body leading to loss of weight.
- Flu-Like Feeling: Diabetes hinders the body utilization of glucose. The person feels lack of energy which is manifested as weakness, feverish feeling and loss of appetite.
- Increased Hunger and Appetite: In diabetes hunger is increased because the body tissues are deprived of sugar with is the energy provider in the body. No amount of food helps since glucose cannot be absorbed for use in the tissues and cells remain technically unfed.
These are some of the
Diabetes Symptoms common to all forms of diabetes. Different types of diabetes have certain symptoms peculiar to itself. Type-1 diabetes: This type of diabetes is the result of malfunctioning of pancreas and insufficient production of insulin in the blood. This condition is usually observed in children and teenagers and hence caller juvenile diabetes also. Few symptoms associated with
Type 1 Diabetes are
- Constant dizziness, headache and nausea
- A peculiar breath odour
- Bed wetting
- Menstruation problems in girls
Type 2 Diabetes: This is due to insulin resistance in the body. This usually develops in the later stages of life hence called adult onset diabetes. Some peculiar symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes are
- Swollen and tender gums: Diabetes Symptoms impairs the body resistance to infections. The first body part to show vulnerability to infections in this circumstance is the gums which become rend and swollen. Timely care is required else this may lead to loss of teeth in future.
- Wounds not healing properly: Blood sugar delays the healing process. Proper care must be taken so as to ensure that the wound do not become septic.
- Acanthosis nigricans: Insulin resistance causes darkening of skin especially in the creases of the body. This darkening is known as Acanthosis Nigricans.
- Tingling and numbness in the extremities: High levels of blood sugar cause the nerves to damage. This cuts of blood supply to the extremities. Caution must be exercised because lack of blood supply will lead to gangrenes which may have to be amputated.
