Symptoms of type 1 diabetes come on very suddenly and can be dramatic. On the other hand, symptoms of type 2 diabetes are subtle and are sometimes initially disregarded and attributed to obesity and aging.
The classical symptoms common to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria. In layman's terms these are increased thirst, increased appetite and frequent urination, respectively. Polydipsia and polyuria form a cycle. High levels of glucose in the urine increases urine output and can lead to dehydration. The person suffers thirst and increases his water consumption.
Polyphagia occurs when the body tries to produce more insulin to control the blood sugar levels. Insulin stimulates hunger and high insulin levels leads to hunger and an increase in appetite. However, in type 2 diabetes the body is resistant to the effects of insulin. The person gains little weight, if at all, despite the increase in food intake. The person may even lose weight. The dehydration that accompanies diabetes also contributes to weight loss.
Some diabetes patients, especially those left untreated may also experience fatigue, nausea and vomiting. The bodys inefficiency and sometimes inability to metabolize the food eaten triggers a compensatory mechanism - the body metabolizes fat and uses this as source of energy. This process uses more energy than it produces, leaving the person feeling tired or fatigued.
Another symptom of diabetes is poor wound healing. The higher level of sugar in the bloodstream prevents the white blood cells from functioning properly. As a result, wound healing gets longer. The longer healing time also makes the wound more susceptible to infections.
You should see a doctor if you feel a any combination of these symptoms. A reasonable quality of life can still be attained if diabetes is managed properly.
Do You Recognize The Symptoms Of Diabetes?
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