Do You Know If I Have Diabetes?

How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes? (by Dean  Erickson)

 

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by the inability of the body to either produce or respond to insulin making it impossible to maintain proper levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The extra glucose is excreted in the urine and because of the high level of glucose more water is flushed through. The diabetic experiences excessive urination and thirst.

The term Diabetes mellitus literally explains these symptoms: The Greek term diabainein, means "to pass through" (referring to the excessive urination) and mellitus comes from the Latin "sweetened with honey" (referring to the excessive presence of sugar).

There are basically two major types of diabetes: Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent).

Type 1 (formerly known juvenile-onset diabetes, because it is diagnosed in children or young adults) is caused by both genetic and environmental causes. In this case, the person's immune system produces antibodies that destroy the cells that produce insulin. Because the body can't produce insulin on its own, daily insulin injections are required.

Type 2 (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, because it normally appears in people aged over 40) is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of cases. Genetic factors play a major role in the development of Type 2, but obesity is also a major factor. A typical Western lifestyle means a diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and a minimal exercise plan and these habits are strong risk factors. Interestingly, people who do not live in Westernized areas do not tend to get Type 2 diabetes, regardless of their family history.

A third type of diabetes, known as Gestational Diabetes, affects women who have high blood-sugar levels during pregnancy. This should be monitored as it can adversely affect the baby. There is also a high probably that women who experience gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes at a later stage.

Diabetes symptoms to watch out for include; frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) website is an informative starting point for all. Visit the site today and take the Online Diabetes Risk Test, which can help you determine if you are at risk of developing diabetes. If you are deemed at risk and are experiencing one or more of the above mentioned symptoms you should see your doctor immediately.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes the ADA website has informative articles the disease, plus lots of suggestions on lifestyle and diet changes for those diagnosed with diabetes. A quick Internet search for "Diabetes Supply" will also bring up various sites offering products suitable for those living with diabetes.

There's nothing at all to be scared of. There's lots of help and advice available literally at your fingertips.

Dean Erickson. Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.diabetes-top-resources.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

 

Invitation to view
...Wbisbill's Diabetes
Mellitus Info Website
KnowingDiabetes.com

The Five Major Warning Signs of Diabetes 

1. Frequent trips to the bathroom:  Are you going to the bathroom much more lately? Urination becomes more frequent when there is too much sugar in the blood.  If insulin is nonexistent or ineffective, the kidneys can't filter enough glucose back to the blood. They have to draw extra water out of the blood to dilute the glucose. This keeps your bladder full and it keeps you running to the bathroom.
2. Persistent Thirst:  This was the sign that I first noticed in my own diabetes.  I should have gone to the doctor right away, but I did not.  Don't be foolish.  Your thirst could be a sign of diabetes, especially if it seems to go with frequent urination. Your body is pulling extra water out of your blood and you're burying to the bathroom more, you are becoming dehydrated and feel the need to drink more to replace the water.
3. Weight Loss:  This symptom is more noticeable with Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1, the body often attacks the insulin producing cells. The body looks for an energy source because the cells aren't getting glucose. It starts to break down muscle tissue and fat for energy. However, it also affects type 2 with gradually increasing insulin resistance.
4. Weakness and Fatigue:  It's all about that glucose again. Glucose from the food we eat travels into the bloodstream where insulin helps it transfer into the cells of our body. The cells use it to produce the energy we need to live. When the insulin isn't there you feel sluggish.  Or if the cells don't react to it anymore, then the glucose stays outside the cells in the bloodstream. The cells become energy starved, tired and run down.
5. Tingling or Numbness in Your Hands, Legs or Feet:  Also called neuropathy. It occurs gradually over time as consistently high glucose in the blood damages the nervous system, especially in the extremities. Type 2 diabetes is a gradual onset, and people are often not aware that they have it. Therefore, blood sugar might have been high for more than a few years before a diagnosis is made. Nerve damage creeps up without our knowledge. Neuropathy can very often improve when tighter blood glucose control is achieved.

The above are the major warning signs but there are also many other.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  For pre-diabetes these signs  are very subtle.  They can slip up on you.  Consult any suspensions with your doctor and have your sugar levels checked!

LINKS
Can A Good Diet Keep Diabetes At Bay?
Depending upon the stage of their diabetes, a physician will normally prescribe either medication or insulin. Both help the body process the sugars in the blood, to break them down and allow the patient to expel them. However, insulin and medication are no substitute for a healthy diet.
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