Many illnesses sometimes present with symptoms that are so subtle those experiencing them don't immediately suspect a problem, and diabetes is no exception. In fact, complications can outpace the appearance of symptoms, which is why it's important to detect and treat it quickly.
A Burgeoning Medical Reality :
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting nearly 10 percent of Americans. Costs related to the condition reached $245 billion in 2012 compared to $174 billion spent in 2007. Matt Petersen, the American Diabetes Association's managing director of medical information and professional engagement, attributes this rise partially to an aging population and obesity currently at epidemic levels. "I know of no other disease that's increasing at (about) 8 percent per year."
Complications from diabetes may be serious and range from kidney failure to leg and foot amputation from infections in those areas. Keeping your blood glucose (blood sugar levels stable and under control, along with healthy eating habits, is key to preventing these and other problems such as heart disease, blindness, and arm and leg neuropathies from nerve damage caused by cells receiving insufficient amounts of oxygen.
Diabetes occurs in two different primary forms. Normally, the pancreas, a gland found behind the stomach, secretes insulin, a hormone that moves glucose into the cells. In Type I diabetes, an autoimmune condition, develops when the body attacks the only cells in the body that produce insulin, pancreatic beta cells. The primary risk factor for Type 1 is a parent or sibling with the disease. In Type II diabetes, insulin is present, but the body does not respond to or process it efficiently.
An analogy to illustrate the two types of diabetes: Imagine a gas pump with no gasoline supply or a pump that has gasoline but a malfunctioning delivery system. Neither can effectively fuel your car.
Here are 10 significant diabetes symptoms to be aware of: If you experience any of these, see your doctor:
Frequent Urination :
Excess sugar buildup in your bloodstream forces your kidneys to work harder to filter and absorb the overload. When it begins accumulating faster than the kidneys can filter it, that sugar, along with fluid from tissues gets excreted into urine, triggering more frequent trips to the restroom.
Another Gallon of Water, Please :
Excessive thirst is a secondary accompanying reaction to dehydration brought on by excessive urination. This can turn into a troublesome, self-perpetuating pathology cycle. As dehydration from tissue fluid loss increases thirst and volume of liquid consumed, the more fluid lost through increased urine output.
Can 't See Straight? See An M.D.:
Blurry vision can occur when excess sugar pulls fluid from the lenses of your eyes. This process can adversely affect the ability to focus and trigger retina-damaging new blood vessels. Floaters also can appear. Although experiencing vision changes at an early stage of diabetes is unusual, vision loss and blindness are possible but usually avoidable outcomes unless the condition goes undetected.
Gum Pain, Soreness and Swelling :
Diabetes may impair or weaken the ability to fight off infection, and this can manifest in gums and the bones that secure the teeth. Loosened teeth, receding gums and pus can form in pockets created by periodontal recession.
Feeling Fatigued?
Dehydration from increased urination can cause sufferers to feel tired. When the body is less able to use sugar for energy, fatigue is often the result.
Losing weight without trying? Always hungry? :
Urinating frequently carries sugar out of the body, and malfunctions related to diabetes may block the cells' ability to access the sugar in what is eaten, causing constant hunger. Rapid weight loss can result from this combination, particularly if Type 2 diabetes is the diagnosis.
Slow sore and wound healing may indicate the body's ability to fight off infection is weakened.
Patches of Darkened Skin :
Occurring in the body's creases and folds such as the armpits and neck, the condition acanthos nigricans manifests as patches of velvety, darkened skin and can be a sign of insulin resistance.
Hyperglycemia or High Blood Sugar:
Early symptoms can present as a bundle of the diabetes signs mentioned earlier, including increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision and headache. When farther along, some hypoglycemia signs include shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, fruity-smelling breath, abdominal pain, weakness, confusion and coma.
Other Indicators
Tingling/numbness in hands or feet :
Frequent yeast infections ;
Irritability or mood changes :
Facing a disease that needs constant management and vigilance is an arduous feat for the staunchest of souls. But exciting discoveries that more effectively treat this tough condition are well underway. Currently, UK researchers are studying advances in the use of an artificial pancreas in treating Type 1 diabetes.
There's no question diabetes requires significant lifestyle adjustments and increased attention to health, but understanding how effectively it can be controlled can go a long and encouraging way. Two examples in particular stand out. Actor Tom Hanks was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He told Yahoo Movies, “I have high blood sugars, and Type 2 diabetes is not going to kill me. But I just have to eat right, and exercise, and lose weight, and watch what I eat, and I will be fine for the rest of my life.”
Television personality Sherri Shepherd also calls attention to the beneficial effects of nutrition and getting fit in treating diabetes. “I am a type-2 diabetic, and they took me off medication simply because I ate right and exercised. Diabetes is not like a cancer, where you go in for chemo and radiation. You can change a lot through a basic changing of habits,” Shepherd said in an interview with Essence.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Through these open doors you are always welcome