Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

The term diabetes mellitus explains one of diabetes most common symptoms.

The Greek and Latin terms mean “to pass through” and ‘sweetened with honey”, respectively. They refer to excessive urination that has a high level of sugar.

If you have diabetes mellitus, your body either cannot produce or it cannot respond to insulin.

Your body will not be able to regulate the proper levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Extra glucose is excreted in the urine and the very high level of glucose increases the water that is flushed through. If you are a diabetic, two of the symptoms are excessive urination along with a high level of thirst.

There are two major types of diabetes along with a third type that targets pregnant women.

Type 1 diabetes is known as juvenile-onset diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in children or young adults.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by both genetic and environmental causes. The person’s immune system produces antibodies which destroy the cells that produce insulin. Since the person cannot produce their own insulin, daily injections are required.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It is know as adult-onset diabetes.

It is most common in adults over 40 years of age. Type 2 diabetes makes up for about 90% of all diabetes cases. Obesity is a major factor along with genetics. A lifestyle high in fat and low in carbohydrates combined with a lack of exercise increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. More and more, children are starting to show type 2 diabetes also, not just adults.

Type 2 diabetes is somewhat rare where there is not a typical western diet of high fats and low carbohydrates. Those areas that do not have a diet of this kind, tend not to find too many cases of type 2 diabetes. This is regardless of family medical history.

The third type of diabetes, is known as Gestational Diabetes.

It affects women who have high blood-sugar levels during pregnancy. This needs to be monitored closely because it can affect the baby’s health. If you develop Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy, you are also of a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Diabetes symptoms to watch out for include; frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision.

There are others that are not included here. It is also common for the symptoms not to be easy to spot or not show up at all.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) website is an excellent place to start if you are looking for additional information. At the ADA website you can take the Online Diabetes Risk Test, which can help you determine if you are at risk of developing diabetes. No website is a replacement for checking with a doctor. If you find you are at risk and are experiencing one or more of the above mentioned symptoms you should see your doctor immediately.

Diagnosing diabetes is the first and most important step.

Early detection can help prevent some of the more serious health complications. For most people, it is possible to manage diabetes with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. The ADA website has information on living with diabetes. You can also check some of the other resources listed on this site for diabetic supplies and products along with other help.

With treatment, lifestyle changes, and a health diet, you can live a full healthy life with diabetes.