Diabetes Month: Signs and Symptoms

So now that we know how Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are different, how can you tell if you have diabetes? The most important way to check is to see your doctor, especially if other members of your family have diabetes. But here are some symptoms to look out for, courtesy of our friends at the American Diabetes Association and the Mayo Clinic:
            Type 1 Diabetes:                                      Type 2 Diabetes:
             *Frequent urination                                    *Any of the Type 1 symptoms
             *Unusual thirst                                            *Frequent infections
             *Extreme hunger                                         *Blurred Vision
             *Unusual weight loss                                  *Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
             *Extreme fatigue and irritability              *Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
                                                                                      *Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections.
                                                                  **Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms before diagnosis.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, see your doctor - the earlier diabetes is detected, the better it can be treated, and the more damage can be corrected or prevented.  Continue learning more about the symptoms - click Read More >>>

Increased thirst and urination can be caused by the increased amount of glucose in the blood, which forces the kidneys to work overtime. The excess sugar is excreted into the urine, which triggers more frequent urination as well as dehydration - and of course, drinking more to combat dehydration will also increase urination. Fatigue is caused by both this dehydration and the body's inability to properly process sugars. Increased urination can also lead to rapid weight loss, as calories are lost that way, even as the appetite increases. Blurred vision can result from the high levels of sugar in the blood pulling fluids from the tissues, including eye lenses. If left untreated, this can eventually cause more blood vessels to form in the retina, leading to vision loss and blindness. The excess sugar in the blood can also lead to nerve damage, causing tingling or numbness in the limbs and extremities. It can also cause increased infections in the gums and other areas, infections that are often slow to heal.

Want to learn more? Stay tuned for Risk Factors, Prevention, and more!