Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes (Type 1 & 2)
Last Updated on July 25, 2020 by Smart Life Picks
What we are going to talk about today affects many people all over the world. Having some of the signs does not mean you definitely have the condition.
If you are worried that you or someone in your family may be having diabetes you should contact your doctor for a checkup just to make sure. Early diagnosis, treatment and good control are essential and reduces the chances of developing serious complications.
The symptoms of diabetes can vary from person to person and we will look at the signs at the onset and symptoms. It is a condition that attacks the body’s ability to process sugar properly. It also causes many other symptoms.
If you have diabetes, it means that your body cannot process and use insulin normally hence some or all of the glucose stays in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that is released by the pancreas to help break down sugar into usable energy. It helps regulate the blood sugar level in the body.
When the insulin levels are too low, the body becomes glucose-intolerant, meaning it will not process sugars that are rich in carbohydrates and sugar, so some or all of the glucose stays in the blood which is why many people with diabetes will feel very tired and weak throughout the day.
Diabetes affects the body by putting stress on the brain, causing a person’s blood sugar to drop or increase. When the blood sugar falls, the brain has trouble sending the proper signals to other parts of the body. So, if the signals are too high, it causes the person to feel tired or weak.
The common symptoms that diabetes causes include:
- Going to toilet a lot, especially at night,
- vomiting, nausea,
- a constant hunger,
- bad breath,
- tremors,
- feeling thirsty all the time,
- dizziness,
- losing weight without trying to,
- muscle cramps,
- a constant thirst,
- dry skin,
- blurred vision,
- cuts and wounds not healing quickly,
- excessive sweating,
- and sudden mood swings.
The levels of blood sugar can drop to dangerously low levels as well. People with diabetes who suffer from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, become extremely hungry and crave foods they can not consume normally.
However, if you have a disease like diabetes, you should not allow yourself to get to this early stage. You must learn about the disease and how to handle it so you can avoid all the complications that diabetes can cause.
Diabetics only have a small window of time where they can control their blood sugar properly. The damage is done once they are out of their window of control. This is why it is so important to control your blood sugar levels as much as possible.
Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
There are many ways to control your blood sugar levels. Some of the methods include diet, exercise, prescription drugs, and surgery. Each method has advantages and disadvantages.
Diet
Diet is one of the most popular methods to help control your blood sugar levels. You need to eat a healthy diet with no artificial or refined sugar added to it. Avoiding processed foods and sugary foods are also recommended.
Exercise
Exercise is another method that helps to control your blood sugar levels. It will help to decrease your urge to eat and increase your motivation to exercise, which will have a positive effect on your overall health.
Prescription drugs
Other options include prescription drugs such as glyburide, glipizide, metformin, liraglutide, and pioglitazone. These can be taken as either a daily dose or as a short-term dose.
Surgery
Surgery is another option for lowering your blood sugar levels. This can be done to correct any abnormalities in the blood vessels that can cause high blood sugar levels. It can also be done to correct any complications that you may have that are caused by your diabetes.
Folks, being diagnosed early and controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent complications so please consult your doctor as soon as you have the slightest suspicion. Type 1 diabetes can result in serious health problems including diabetic ketoacidosis which can result in potentially fatal coma whilst untreated Type 2 diabetes which is easier to miss can affect many major organs, heart, eyes, kidneys, etc.
