Detecting diabetes early is essential to starting a person on the path to better health. Many of the signs and symptoms
of type 1 diabetes are the same as type 2 diabetes even though the
reasons the person develops the diabetes are different. This is due to
the ultimate effect of having extra glucose or sugar in the blood stream.
The symptoms of diabetes that are learned by most professionals include
polydipsia (increased extreme thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger),
and polyuria (increased urination).
Glucose or sugar in the blood stream needs insulin for uptake into many
of the cells of the body. When insulin is not available, glucose builds
up in the blood.
The kidneys which usually function to prevent glucose
from leaving the body through urination will not be able to work
properly due to the increase concentration of glucose.
Excess sugar or
glucose draws fluid out from body tissues and is excreted in the urine.
This causes a dramatic increase in urination (polyuria) which causes
dehydration. The body tries to compensate with extreme thirst
(polydipsia).
The body’s cells also need to be fed which causes extreme
hunger (polyphagia). This cycle is known by some as “starving in the
land of plenty”. The glucose is in the body but it can’t get into the
cells to be used for energy. This is an urgent dangerous situation!
It is important to know that approximately 90 percent of children
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes do not have a family history of the
disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
According to the JDRF (formerly called the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Fund), the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes must be taken very
seriously. Many times the signs and symptoms are similar to having a
severe cold or the flu. Call your doctor immediately if these are
displayed. The signs and symptoms are referenced from the JDRF (3) If
you do not have a doctor or can’t get ahold of yours, call an urgent
care center or go to the hospital to get care.
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Sudden vision changes (increased blood glucose causes the lens of
the eye to change in shape and swell. This causes vision changes) (4)
- Glucose or sugar in the urine
- An odor found on the breath that is sweet and fruity (this is a
sign that the body is using fat as energy since the glucose is not
available for the cells. The term for this is diabetes ketoacidosis and
can be life threatening. (5)
- Increased appetite with sudden weight loss
- Sleepy, drowsy and lethargic (the body is not getting enough glucose in the cells which may lead to this symptom)(6)
- Breathing that is heavy and labored and going into a stupor,
lethargic and perhaps unconsciousness (these are signs of ketoacidosis.
See number 5)
Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes for quick reference
As type 2 diabetes develops gradually, many people with type 2
diabetes do not have any symptoms. It is important to go to your
physician on a regular basis to be evaluated for diabetes. The Canadian
Diabetes Association lists the following symptoms for type 2 diabetes.
(7)
If these occur, call your doctor for an evaluation. Refer to the type 1
diabetes list of signs and symptoms for the reasoning of some of the
symptoms. In some cases, they are the same because of the net result of
increased glucose in the blood.
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent Urination
- Weight change (for type 2 this could be a weight loss as in type 1
or a weight gain. People with type 2 diabetes increase their resistance
to insulin when they gain weight. This will decrease the ability of
cells in the body to use insulin and the result is an increased blood
glucose.)
- Fatigue
- Vision changes and blurring of vision
- Frequent infections (bacteria tends to thrive when blood glucose is
high, this may include urinary tract infections and yeast infections)
- Wounds and cuts that take a long time to heal
- Tingling and numbness in the extremities (fingers and feet) High
blood glucose over time can lead to damage to the nerves. This is a type
of neuropathy common in diabetes.
- In men, trouble with erections. See my past blogs on erectile dysfunction and diabetes.
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