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[D246]Diabetes Signs And Symptoms

by Ted Roxan, Ted

Do you find yourself going to the bathroom more than usual? Are you unusually hungry or thirsty? Is fatigue a normal, everyday feeling? Does spontaneous, blurred vision interfere with you daily life? If this sounds like you, you may have Diabetes. Diabetes effects over sixteen million Americans, and many people are unaware they have it. Every day, 2,200 new cases of Diabetes are diagnosed in the United States. Diabetes is characterized by a high level of sugar in the blood, as a result of defective insulin secretion, or insulin resistance. Although we tend to group all people with Diabetes together, the truth is that there are two different types of Diabetes that are similar in their elevated blood sugar, but different in many other ways.

Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, and young adults. It is characterized by the Pancreas’ inability to produce insulin. It is thought that this inability arises from an autoimmune condition. Basically the body is killing its own insulin producing cells. The symptoms of type 1 Diabetes are very obvious, frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss. The onset is usually abrupt, and severe. In addition, having type 1 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Treatment consists of intermediate or long-acting insulin (taken once or twice daily) with fast- or rapid-acting insulin injections taken at mealtimes.

Type 2 Diabetes often develops rather insidiously, showing few or no symptoms. The symptoms are similar to type 1, however they develop gradually over time. This may explain why it often goes undetected at first. The cells of the body being resistant to insulin characterize the most common form of diabetes, type 2. The Pancreas still produces insulin, however the body cannot use it efficiently. Type 2 usually develops in men or women over 40 years of age, characterized by obesity, and lack of physical activity. In particular, people who are an "apple-shape" - with lots of fat around the abdomen - are at greater risk of developing diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes runs in families, and is particularly common among people of African-Caribbean or Asian origin. Similarly, having type 2 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, as type 1. Unlike type 1, type 2 Diabetes can usually be controlled with diet, exercise or medicines.

If you suspect you may have Diabetes, it is important to see your doctor, especially if you fall into any of the categories previously mentioned. Discovering you have Diabetes is frightening, don't panic, people with Diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. Eat right and exercise. It's a simple prescription that will keep you healthy, whether you have diabetes or not.

Is pre-diabetes the same thing as metabolic syndrome or syndrome X?
Pre-diabetes shares a number of factors with metabolic syndrome and syndrome x, and if unchecked can lead to type 2 diabetes.When it comes to the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose is measured after a fast and 2 hours after a drink rich in glucose. Normal levels are under 140 mg/dl 2 hours after the drink. 140 to 199 mg/dl 2 hours after the drink means that the person being tested has pre-diabetes.
Question: What is pre-diabetes?
Answer: Pre-diabetes is the same as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, depending on which test your doctor used to diagnose the disease. Many people with pre-diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. If your doctor diagnoses you with pre-diabetes, you are in a good position. This means you have the opportunity to use weight loss from diet and exercise to prevent developing diabetes. For more information, click here. (A normal fasting blood glucose level is below 100 mg/dl - between 100 and 125 mg/dl a person has pre-diabetes.
Why is it essential to be diagnosed if I think I might have pre-diabetes?
It could be possible to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes if you find out about your pre-diabetes early enough. Research indicates that people who have pre-diabetes can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by almost 60 per cent with adjustments to diet and exercise. Reducing weight by ten per cent, and partaking in modest physical activity for 30 minutes daily, could reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels exceed normal levels but do not climb high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes.
What do you need to score on the FPG test to be diagnosed with pre-diabetes?
A normal fasting blood glucose level is below 100 mg/dl - between 100 and 125 mg/dl a person has pre-diabetes. If the blood glucose level rises to 126 mg/dl or above, a person has diabetes.Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels exceed normal levels but do not climb high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes. If pre-diabetes is left untreated it will quickly develop into type 2 diabetes, usually in less than ten years.
Should children be screened for pre-diabetes?
We are not recommending screening children for pre-diabetes because we don't have enough evidence that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in children at high risk for the disease. However, a study published in the March 14, 2002, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found 25 percent of very obese children and 21 percent of very obese adolescents had pre-diabetes. If future studies show that early intervention also works for children, a recommendation could be forthcoming.Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels exceed normal levels but do not climb high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes.
Should children be screened for pre-diabetes?
We are not recommending screening children for pre-diabetes because we don't have enough evidence that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in children at high risk for the disease. However, a study published in the March 14, 2002, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found 25 percent of very obese children and 21 percent of very obese adolescents had pre-diabetes. If future studies show that early intervention also works for children, a recommendation could be forthcoming.Yes. Doctors sometimes refer to this state of elevated blood glucose levels as Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Impaired Fasting Glucose (IGT/IFG), depending on which test was used to detect it.Answer: Pre-diabetes is the same as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, depending on which test your doctor used to diagnose the disease. Many people with pre-diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. If your doctor diagnoses you with pre-diabetes, you are in a good position.

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Both Ted Roxan & Booker Merritt 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.

Ted Roxan has sinced written about articles on various topics from LASIK Surgery, Hair Care and Health. Dr. Jay B Stockman O.D. is a contributing editor for and a practicing Doctor of Optometry. He has extensive experience in Diabetes Management. Visit. Ted Roxan's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.

Booker Merritt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes Treatment. best source we uncovered, . Booker Merritt's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.