Print Article for : Diabetes Symptoms In Adults

Your Online Guide » Guide to Medical » Diabetes Treatment

[D246]Diabetes Symptoms In Adults

by Jon Arnold, Jon

Whether or not a person has diabetes can be easily ascertained by conducting a simple blood glucose test. However, in the majority of cases, it is not uncommon for diabetes symptoms to go undetected for some time before it is diagnosed. This is because many of the symptoms are also common complaints for other diseases as well as diabetes. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are:

1. Frequent urination, especially at nighttime, may be a possible diabetes symptom. However, this symptom by itself is not a sure indication of the disease. Also, most people would approach a doctor only after the problem would become intensely annoying and constant.

2. Another likely symptom would be inexplicable weight loss. But, this again doesn't always suggest that a person may have diabetes. The problem here is that most people trying to lose weight would be happy with such an occurrence and may attribute it to increased metabolic activity rather than consult a doctor, unless there is an abnormal weight loss over a short period of time.

3. Some diabetic symptoms, like the slow healing of skin infections, wounds and especially sores on feet and ankles attract attention and are positive signs that a person may have diabetes.

4. Symptoms like blurred vision and tingling or numbness in the extremities of the hands and feet are quite irritating and more likely to be given medical attention and diagnosis. Such symptoms are often a definite indication that a person has diabetes.

It is advisable for individuals who experience one or more of the symptoms mentioned to contact their physician and have a simple blood glucose test done to either confirm or dismiss diabetes. Those with a family history of diabetes fall into the high-risk category and should be especially watchful.

Type 1 diabetes develops rapidly, often over a period of few weeks and the symptoms are usually obvious. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops slowly and the symptoms are often less noticeable. As a matter of fact, for some people the symptoms are quite difficult to spot and diabetes is only diagnosed as a result of a routine medical check-up.

Many people even assume the symptoms to be signs of work pressure or old age. If diagnosed and treated early, the symptoms are quickly relieved in both types of diabetes. Timely treatment also cuts down the chances of developing more serious health problems.

Diabetes is a defect in the body's ability to convert glucose to energy. It is caused due to insufficient production of glucose by the pancreas. In diabetes patients, the production of glucose is impaired.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Patients with Type-1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

Increased thirst

Fatigue

Nausea

Increased urination

Weight loss in spite of increased appetite

Vomiting

However, because Type-2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

Increased thirst

Impotence in men

Increased appetite

Increased urination

Blurred vision

Fatigue

Slow-healing infections

How to diagnose diabetes?

The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a simple blood test measuring blood glucose level. Usually blood glucose level tests are repeated on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. Your health care team may also request that you have a glucose tolerance test. If two hours after taking the glucose drink your glucose level is 200 or above, you will be diagnosed as having diabetes.

How can I control diabetes?

Gather all the information about diabetes, its symptoms and causes

Check your blood glucose level regularly

If find any symptom of diabetes, visit your health care team for diagnosis of diabetes

Ask your health care team about how to check blood glucose level at home

Stop smoking

Exercise daily

Follow a healthy meal plan

Check your vision at regular intervals, If found blurred visit your health care team

Check your feet regularly for checking the occurrence of diabetes

If you are diabetic, monitor you diabetes regularly

Follow instructions of health care team strictly

Avoid sweet ingredients, use sugar free food

Can diabetes be cured?

As yet, there is no treatment for either type of diabetes, although there are many ways of keeping diabetes in control. Studies have shown that good control of blood glucose (blood sugar) is the key to avoid diabetic complications later.

What are the treatment options to cure diabetes?

Diabetes is incurable. The only option is to prevent ourselves from diabetes or to keep diabetes under control.

Is diabetes a hereditary disease?

You are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to have a risk of stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. There are three conditions that make people with diabetes vulnerable to foot problems. These are vascular disease and foot deformities. About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure. Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body.

Article Source : Pg. 13

About Author

Both Jon Arnold & Jyoti are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Jon Arnold has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aerobics, fitness center and Divorce and Infidelity. Jon Arnold is an author and computer engineer who maintains various web sites on a variety of topics. More info on this topic can be found at his . Jon Arnold's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

Jyoti has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dental Practice, Diabetes Treatment and Dieting. Author is running a health information site by clicking on where information on several diseases like allergies, blood dis. Jyoti's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.