How to Recognize the Symptoms of Diabetes

Currently, there are more than 300 million adults and children on the planet that live with diabetes. However, many experts estimate that there is a significant number of people who have diabetes but aren't aware of it. One reason for this may be that many people don't know how to recognize the symptoms of diabetes. Since diabetes tends to run in families and certain genetic factors increase the risk of developing this disease, it's important for you to recognize the symptoms of diabetes to protect you or someone you love.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Understand that the symptoms of type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) are more obvious than those of type 2 and include frequent urination (including at night), feeling hungry all the time, excessive thirst and feeling weak, tired and/or irritable.

2. Know that some type 1 diabetics may also experience stomach or abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting in addition to the above symptoms.

3. Understand that type 2 diabetes (insulin resistant) presents a slightly different set of symptoms which may include tingling of the extremities, blurred vision, fatigue or drowsiness, confusion and slow healing of wounds or recurrent skin infections.

4. Know that there are also additional symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes that may occur, including recurring infections of the gums or urinary tract and itching of the skin, including the genitals.

5. Be aware of certain risk factors in combination with recognizing common symptoms. These include obesity, a family history of diabetes and being descended from certain ethnic groups, such as Hispanic, Native American or African American.

6. Call your physician if you experience one or more of the symptoms of diabetes type 1 or 2 to schedule a complete physical examination and blood glucose test.

Tips & Warnings

• Diagnosis of diabetes may involve many tests, but most commonly an oral glucose tolerance test and a fasting blood glucose level test.
• If you are over the age of 45, it is generally recommended that you have your blood glucose level checked every 3 years. However, if you are at increased risk for developing diabetes, your doctor may begin this testing at an earlier age.
• The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are not as easy to recognize as they are in type 1. In fact, many type 2 diabetics may not have any symptoms at all until the disease progresses.
• Symptoms of diabetes should not be ignored. Serious consequences can accompany diabetes, including blindness, renal failure and amputation of limbs. In fact, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

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[sweetleo]

on 8/21/2008 Very good helpful article 5stars