Very often the early symptoms of diabetes can be confused with other chronic illnesses. Typically, Type 2 Diabetes does not present itself until the age of 40; however more and more children are being diagnosed with this disease every day due to the high rate of obesity and lack of sufficient physical activity.
For the most part, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is the most commonly diagnosed form of the illness. This class of diabetes is non-insulin dependent or NIDDM and can easily be managed with a proper diet and exercise regimen. However, if this particular type of diabetes goes on without treatment, renal and cardiovascular disease can be the result.
Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes symptoms can go ignored or unnoticed for several years. This allows for an unhealthy delay in treatment. The characteristics of Type 2 diabetes are a resistance to insulin being produced by the islet cells in the pancreas.
In An Emergency:
Persons who don’t know they are diabetic are at high risk for an emergency event when their symptoms become overwhelming. There is an additional problem of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the complete opposite of what diabetes mellitus is.
There are two types of a diabetic emergency:
The first type of diabetic emergency is called hyperglycemia. This will occur when there is not enough insulin and too much glucose in the blood. An onset of hyperglycemia is commonly caused by over eating, lack of physical activity and not taking the proper amount of insulin. This event requires insulin for treatment. If gone untreated, the sufferer can lapse into a diabetic coma.
The second type of diabetic event is called hypoglycemia. This event refers to too much insulin and not enough glucose being present in the blood which can then result in insulin shock. Common factors that trigger this event include over exercising, not eating enough food and injecting to much insulin. Someone suffering from hypoglycemia is in need of sugar.
Both emergencies have the same measure of assistance. The sufferer can be given something to eat or drink such as milk, orange juice or a candy bar to lessen the severity of the symptoms followed by professional medical care.
What are the early signs?
Elevated urinary output: Occurs due to elevated glucose levels and the body’s attempt to get rid of it. Excessive thirst: Is due to the frequent urination, causing dehydration Impaired vision: Vision may be blurred due to damage to the ocular vascular system Feelings of hunger: Caused by excessive insulin that is not being used properly Lethargy: Is related to the elevated glucose levels Erectile dysfunction Frequent bacterial and fungal infections Slow healing wounds:
If you are experiencing some or all of the signs and symptoms, the next step is visiting your health care provider for proper testing to determine the cause. Types of testing include:
Blood glucose test: Normal values for glucose is around 110 mg/dl. A reading of 126 mg/dl or more is indicative of diabetes. If your blood sugars are high on two occasions of testing, the diagnosis is most likely diabetes.
Other testing includes:
A Fasting Plasma Glucose An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) A Random Plasma Glucose Test – No fasting is involved.
Most tests involve fasting for 8 hours as eating a meal increases glucose levels. Therefore, to get a true reading, the patient can’t eat for 8 hours before the test.
Having the proper knowledge of signs and symptoms of diabetes as well as being aware of your personal risk factors for the disease is crucial in seeking early treatment and preventing serious complications.
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and featured health writer on Clivir.com where she shares her experience and knowledge about Diabetes and Diet and Diabetes Causes.