Diabetes or Diabetes mellitus, as it is commonly referred to, occurs due to a dysfunction in metabolism, wherein the patient records abnormally high blood sugar levels. There are two forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. While adult diabetes is the most common condition, one also gets to see cases of children suffering from the dreaded disorder.
What is diabetes and what are the symptoms? Type 1 Diabetes occurs due to the diminished production of the hormone insulin. Type 2 Diabetes, on the other hand, is characterized by diminished response of the body to the insulin present therein. Both these forms of diabetes cause hyperglycemia, which gives rise to the major symptoms of the disease, namely, heightened thirst leading to increased intake of fluids, which in turn means, increased production of urine. Other symptoms are blurring of vision, general lethargy, lack of energy, unusually slow healing of injuries, sudden weight loss and unexplained changes in general metabolism. Long term effects of diabetes include kidney and even heart dysfunction and failure.
Other symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes include tiredness or fatigue, frequency in urinating especially at night, a stomach that is always upset, therefore vomiting and experiencing nausea. There is also a heightened appetite despite the weight loss. For women, there is an interruption in the menstrual cycle. If Type 2 diabetes has been ignored for a period of time, people who have it may get tingling sensations in their fingers or toes. They will also notice some circulatory problems.
Testing for diabetes
The best means to know whether you are a victim of diabetes is to get a fasting blood glucose level test. If the report reveals that blood glucose levels are higher than 126 mg/dL on two or more occasions, then you are diagnosed with diabetes. In case these levels waver between 100-126 mg/dL, you are considered to be in the ‘pre-diabetes’ state, with a condition referred to as ‘impaired fasting glucose’. This state is also viewed as a risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes.
It is hard to when a loved one is suffering from the disease. As soon as a member of your family is showing the symptoms mentioned above, consult with a doctor as soon as possible. Just like any disease, prevention is better than cure. Try to balance your diet as much as possible. It also helps to get up and do some exercise whenever you can. We advise that you conduct monitoring and periodic testing of your blood sugar levels. This alone will give you a heads up if you are a likely candidate for adult diabetes.
Being watchful of the symptoms will ensure that one can live a longer, richer life, preventing health complications from arising in the future.
In conclusion, you no more need to fret if you have been diagnosed as suffering from adult diabetes. Be proactive in tackling this condition, learn to eat and live healthy, control your weight, get enough exercise and sleep and you will soon see a marked improvement in your health!
[...] Excerpt from:Â Adult Diabetes – Causes and Symptoms [...]
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