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Diabetic Symptoms


Diabetic symptoms are generally the result of these blood sugar level fluctuations. Diabetic symptoms are mirrored in Type I and Type II diabetes with only a few exceptions.

Type I diabetes, or insulin dependent diabetes, produces such diabetic symptoms as unusual thirst and increased urination, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, blurry vision, and unrelieved fatigue. Type II diabetes, also known as insulin resistance, is characterized by diabetic symptoms such as unusually long healing time, nerve damage, red and swollen gums, extreme fatigue and weakness (flu-like symptoms), in addition to the symptoms of Type I diabetes. Most individuals who suffer from diabetes, ninety to ninety-five percent, have Type II diabetes.

As mentioned above, diabetic symptoms are the result of the body’s inability to produce or to use insulin. Maintaining abnormally high or abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood can cause a host of symptoms that range from merely unpleasant to life-threatening. Because glucose is a major source of fuel for the body, its body’s ability to process this fuel efficiently is very important. When the body fails to process or produce glucose properly, the organs and bodily systems (the brain, kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, muscles) that rely on glucose are adversely affected.

Diabetic symptoms may result from blood sugar that is too low or from blood sugar that is too high. Diabetic symptoms that result from persistent hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) include increased thirst and urination and can result in serious kidney problems up to and including kidney failure. Too much glucose in the blood reduces the amount of water in the body’s cells and results in extreme thirst. The water consumed is then excreted through the kidneys along with the excess blood glucose. Blurred vision is also a result of this imbalance in water stores. Because glucose is the body’s fuel, being deprived of that fuel, either because the body cannot process the glucose or because the body fails to maintain the proper levels of glucose, muscles can become tired and weak for lack of fuel causing the individual to feel fatigued. Because the muscles are deprived of fuel, the individual may feel excessively hungry (the body’s signal that the muscles need fuel) but may lose weight despite normal or above normal food consumption because glucose is expelled in the urine as opposed to being used to fuel the muscles resulting in the actual wasting away of muscle and fat. Abnormally high or abnormally low blood sugar levels will affect the brain and the processes it regulates. Diabetic symptoms are really a domino effect resulting from extreme fluctuations in blood glucose levels.

All of the diabetic symptoms can be successfully managed using a rigorous self-care plan of diet, exercise and insulin. Careful monitoring of blood glucose levels will help prevent complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, infections, seizures, coma, and even death. The successful management of diabetic symptoms requires constant vigilance and self-education to recognize when the symptoms may need more than self care and trip to the doctor or hospital is advised. Individuals who are intent on managing their diabetes will find a wealth of information designed to ease the transition to a diabetic lifestyle.

Diabetes Symptoms in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
In diabetes, the symptoms can vary depending on whether a person has type one or type two diabetes. Before diagnosis the symptoms may be more obvious, but after treatment and the glucose levels are more stabilized, diabetic symptoms will often reduce or go away.

However, type 2 diabetes can be sometimes so subtle that there are no noticeable symptoms, and hence is only diagnosed with a blood test. In this article, let's look at the symptoms can be present in diabetes, both type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non insulin dependent) diabetes.

The symptoms on type 1 diabetes
In type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes, the symptoms are serious and very severe when the illness starts.
The symptoms include the following:
  1. Excessive thirst and excessive drinking
  2. Excessive urination, otherwise known as polyuria
  3. Loss of weight
  4. Excessive hunger and eating. Notice how it's a condition where despite eating more, there's weight loss.
  5. Feeling unwell, getting infections
  6. And type 1 diabetes can present as diabetic ketoacidosis. In this state, the sugar levels are very high, there's acidosis in the blood, and even collapse and coma.

Treatment is needed in type 1 diabetes and can't be reversed with 'lifestyle changes'.

The symptoms on type 2 diabetes
The symptoms in type 2 diabetes include the following:
  1. Increased thirst and drinking
  2. Increased urination
  3. Recurrent infections such as skin infections egg fungal or bacterial amongst others
  4. Long term complications of diabetes.

Long term consequences of diabetes include heart conditions, deteriorating eye health, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease (blockages to arteries in egg the legs causing pain in the legs during walking), and peripheral nerve disease.

Many people at risk of type 2 diabetes are also overweight and have other associated conditions such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
In type 1 especially, the symptoms are serious and can be life threatening. It's important to seek medical care immediately.
In type 2 diabetes, it can present with similar symptoms or sometimes more subtle symptoms.



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