Are you displaying any of the diabetic symptoms or the subtle symptoms of diabetes?
In the last few decades or so more and more people being diagnosed with the chronic illness –Diabetes. What could be the reason for this increase?
I wonder, are we doing enough to prevent the instances of this disease from multiplying? Remember however that diabetes is not a contagious disease; it cannot spread or pass from one person to the other. It is mainly due to the malfunctioning of the pancreas.
It is said that diabetes run in families. Why does it run in families? it may be because of the family’s lifestyle or is it as a result of inherited genes?
It is important that you know the diabetes risk factors and the symptoms of diabetes in order to protect your health.
The main symptoms are:
Symptoms of Diabetes type 1
• Exceptional thirst
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Weight Loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing Cuts or sores
• Itching skin or yeast infections
• Leg pain
If type 1 diabetes is not treated early the body will produce chemicals called ketones.
The build up of ketones (ketoacidosis) in the blood which will cause additional symptoms such as:
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• Rapid breathing
• Dry skin and mouth
• Flushed face (red face or blushed face)
• Fruity odour on breath
Symptoms of Diabetes type 2 and symptoms of gestational diabetes are:
• Exceptional thirst
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Weight Loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing Cuts or sores
• Itching skin or yeast infections
• Leg pain
Gestational diabetes (GD) risk factor
No-one knows why some women develop GD and others don’t. Women who are more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy may have some of these risk factors in common:
- have a family history of GD (i.e. mother, grandmother)
- have previously given birth to a large baby (over 9lbs)
- has previously had a stillbirth
- are overweight or obese
- aged over 25
- have a history of glucose intolerance
Yes, I know the first signs and symptoms of diabetes are the same it is no mistake. The diabetic symptoms are the same but the real difference between the two types of diabetes is how well the pancreas is working or not working.
In diabetes type 1 the pancreas does not produce any insulin or is a miniscule amount.
While in diabetes type 2 the pancreas is either producing insufficient amount of insulin or the insulin produced is abnormal and cannot be used by the body.
In type 1 diabetes the symptoms appears quickly over days, weeks or months. While in type 2 diabetes the symptoms tend to appear more gradual over months or years
Why knowing the different diabetes symptoms are so important?
The important thing to note is that diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure, limb amputation, blindness and heart disease.
Diabetics are also at greater risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart and blood vessels).
Therefore stroke and heart attack are real risks for diabetics along with the other serious complications of diabetes.
What to do if you notice these diabetic symptoms?
If the above diabetic symptoms are experienced by you or a love one then consult you health care team immediately. It is better to know it is not diabetes than to ignore it and deal with complications later. Your health care team may perform a few diabetes tests in order to make a diagnosis. If you need additional information about the different diabetes types you can read about Diabetes type 1 or diabetes type 2.
