Diabetes symptoms need to be recognized early in order to treat and make lifestyle changes that can be used to minimize the damaging effects of this disorder. This website provides you with general information about diabetes, including its signs and symptoms and there are featured videos that will help you understand how to recognize the symptoms. Populations who are especially at risk for developing diabetes are also listed in the facts section to the right.
Diabetes is a chronic disease related to the ability of the body to utilize sugars. There are two forms, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or alternatively, the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar.http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_type_1_diabetes_000009_1.htm Hyperglycemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/Handouts/hyperglycemia.htm Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, also occurs when those with diabetes in cases where there has been too much insulin administered, or when there has not been adequate carbohydrate intake. http://www.umm.edu/diabetes-info/hypo.htm Both of these imbalances cause corresponding symptoms in patients with diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, affect many aspects of your body's metabolism: its affects how it assimilates carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Because diabetes has these multiple effects, there are a wide range of symptoms:
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
- excessive excretion of urine (polyuria)
- thirst (polydipsia)
- constant, excessive hunger (polyphagia)
- weight loss or sudden weight gain
- vision changes - a result of low blood sugar
- fatigue - Because this disease affects the energy metabolism, those who are affected will have low energy levels. http://learn.sdstate.edu/nursing/DiabetesPortal.html
- numbness or tingling of the feet
- sores that will not heal
- (symptoms may occur suddenly)
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:
- similar to Type 1, but usually less severe
- usually diagnosed years after onset, after damage occurs http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/ http://extension.missouri.edu/hesfn/diabetes/signssymptoms.htm
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have cancer, please consult your doctor.
How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes
Amy Bull from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing narrates this video that highlights characteristics of diabetes and what some of the risk factors may be. As stated in the video, these factors are reasons that one should consult their physician and be tested for diabetes. This is done by performing a blood test.
How Do You Reverse Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Amy Vanderbilt, Professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing discusses things you can do to minimize complications with your diabetes and reverse some of the symptoms. These include, losing excess body weight, a healthy diet, regular daily exercise, and taking the prescribed medicines when you are supposed to take them.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.
References
Fast Facts
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'''Race / Origin'''
Native American, African American, Latin American are placed at higher risk
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'''Age'''
Greater than 45
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'''Weight'''
BMI (Body Mass Index)of over 25
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'''Family history'''
More risk if there are or have been cases in you family
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'''Exercise'''
Increased activity is associated with decreased risk
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'''Diet'''
Increased risk with high intake of fat, calories and cholesterol
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'''Multiple risk factors'''
If you can claim more risk factors, your chance of getting type 2 diabetes is higher
