Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin in sufficient amounts. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin is secreted to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body, and aid cells in absorbing glucose, which is used for energy. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, and can affect any gender of any age.
Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be detected and controlled with the aid of medications and lifestyle changes. Diabetes that remains undiagnosed, or that is poorly controlled, can develop complications. These can include kidney disease and/or failure, blurry vision which in some instances can lead to blindness, dry, cracked skin, and loss of limb in severe cases. Such complications contribute to the fact that diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
How can one reduce their chances of developing, or slow the onset of, a diabetes related complication? They can do this by knowing the symptoms of the disease.
Like the majority of diseases, diabetes has a variety of clear symptoms. However, many people experiencing symptoms associated with diabetes often fail to act on them because they seem so common. The need to urinate frequently or becoming very thirsty may not seem like much to a person who has, unknowingly, developed diabetes. Being informed about the symptoms of diabetes, especially if one is at an increased risk for developing diabetes, can allow that person to take action and seek treatment.
Common Symptoms:
– Frequent urination. This is due to the fact that a diabetic’s cells cannot properly absorb glucose because of a lack of insulin. Therefore, useful but unattainable glucose is excreted in the urine;
– Intense Thirst. Because of the frequent urination so common in those with diabetes, one can easily becoming dehydrated, causing extreme thirst;
– Intense Hunger. As a result of a diabetic’s inability to utilize glucose, the body’s form of energy, the body signals hunger so it may be able to obtain glucose;
– Unusual Weight Loss. Because a diabetic’s body cannot store sufficient amounts of glucose for energy, it must use energy stores which become depleted and lead to weight loss;
Additional symptoms commonly associated with diabetes include:
– Fatigue.
– Irritability.
– Blurry Vision.
– Urinary tract, vaginal, or skin infections;
– Dry, itchy skin.
When symptoms associated with diabetes began manifesting themselves, the person experiencing these symptoms should speak with their doctor soon. Untreated diabetes can develop complications at a much higher or faster rate than a case of diabetes being controlled with insulin and/or lifestyle treatments.
Those at an increased risk for developing diabetes should especially become familiar with the symptoms of diabetes so they can take action to control it.
A person may be at an increased risk for developing diabetes if:
– They are over 45 years of age, although diabetes is developing increasingly in younger people and children;
– A family member has or had diabetes;
– They are overweight;
– Their diet is high in fat and cholesterol;
– They are American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander;
– They exercise very little or none;
– They have polycystic ovary syndrome (in women);
– They have high blood pressure.
If these risk factors sound familiar, one should study the symptoms associated with diabetes and pay attention to their body. Risk of developing diabetes can be reduced largely by losing excess weight, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. If, however, diabetes symptoms do appear, a visit to the doctor is the first step to controlling diabetes.