Signs/ Symptoms of Diabetes – Types, Causes & Treatment

DIABETES – WEIGHT LOSS

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. …………….. Read More

Signs/Symptoms of diabetes can go silently undetected for a long time. Many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its potentially life-threatening complications, such as heart disease, blindness or nerve disease.

If you find yourself experiencing any of these signs/symptoms of diabetes on a consistent, long term basis, you should visit a doctor to be tested for diabetes. Ignoring (or not recognizing) the symptoms of diabetes can lead to long-term serious health risks and complications from untreated Diabetes. Some of the common “early warning” signs of diabetes are:

Increased thirst

Increased hunger

Having to urinate more often – especially at night

Unexpected Weight loss

Spots, boils and skin infections that do not seem to heal

Craving for sweet food and snacks

Abdominal pains

Blurred vision or eyesight problems

Muscle cramps

Nausea

Vomiting

Sexual Problems

If diabetes is suspected, tested for, and diagnosed when those symptoms first start appearing, other more serious signs/symptoms of diabetes can often be prevented, or have their onset significantly delayed through diet, exercise and proper blood sugar management.

Another sign of Diabetic symptom is that you feel weak and tired for no reason. The reason is that the cells do not get the glucose that they are supposed to get so that they can provide the body with energy for its daily activities.

Glucagonoma – a condition in which the body produces too much of the hormone glucagon

Chronic pancreatitis – a condition which causes inflammation of the pancreas

Cystic fibrosis - a genetic condition that causes mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system

Pancreatectomy - surgical removal of the pancreas

There are other common signs/symptoms of diabetes, though they can be confused with other ailments and that is why it is very important for one to go for a clinical diagnosis.

Types of Diabetes and their signs/symptoms of diabetes

For diabetes Type 1, they include blurred vision, slow healing of cuts and bruises, nausea, dry mouth, itching in the groin area and others.

For type 2 diabetes, other symptoms include yeast infections, dry mouth, and vaginal infections for women, blurry vision and some of the major symptoms shown at the beginning of the article.

Hyperglycaemia is the medical name for having too much glucose in the blood. Mild hyperglycaemia may cause no symptoms at all, but more severe hyperglycaemia can lead to a hyperglycaemic attack, signalled by dehydration, feeling very tired and frequent urination.

Hyperglycaemia can result in a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, where the body uses stored fat as a source of energy instead of glucose, leading to a change in the body’s natural acid balance which has potential to be very harmful. Ketoacidosis is life-threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Gestational diabetes, like type 2, is a form of insulin resistance that occurs in the later stages of pregnancy. As the placenta supports the growing fetus, it produces hormones. These hormones may interfere with the mother’s ability to produce and use her own insulin. It is important to get control of gestational diabetes early in order to prevent exposing the baby to an excess of glucose, later store as fat.

MODY (maturity onset diabetes of youth): a form of diabetes that has been diagnosed before the age of 35 years in at least three generations of family members. Doctors have identified many specific genetic defects (mutations) in such families. Some patients who have MODY need insulin. Others can effectively manage their condition with diet and/or oral medicines.

LADA – a form of type 1 diabetes that can occur in adults.

Conclusion

Many people experience ask what are the signs/symptoms of diabetes but when the symptoms of diabetes are exaplained to them they ignore them or take them for granted. Anything out of the ordinary that you might experience in your bodily functions should be treated as something that you should consult with your doctor about. If you or someone you know has any of these signs/symptoms of diabetes, please let your health care provider know. It is far better to know that you have diabetes – and do something about it – than to live with high blood glucose levels that could be damaging your body.