Diabetes is a medical condition in which the amount of glucose increases in bloodstream. Glucose is supposed to be absorbed by cells with help of a hormone called insulin. Cells need glucose to perform their functions. Sometimes, body cells don’t co-operate with insulin. As a result, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream and causes diabetes. Diabetes is of type 1 and type 2. There is also gestational diabetes (caused during pregnancy) and prediabetes (reversible high glucose levels which if increase further can turn into diabetes).
Type 1 diabetes
There are speculations about exact causes of type 1 diabetes. It is usually attributed to family history, genetic susceptibility, environmental reasons, geographical location and autoantibodies. It is usually experienced by adolescents. Doctors believe that in type 1 diabetes, immune system destroys insulin producing cells in pancreas and this prevents glucose from entering the cells; and it gets stored in the blood. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are vigorous and come to attention at a very early stage. This diabetic type is extremely painful even though the severity depends on the blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes
Prediabetes usually develops into type 2 diabetes. This diabetic type arises when the cells become insulin resistant and forces glucose to keep travelling in the blood. The causes of type 2 diabetes are obesity, reduced body activity, family history, age, gestational diabetes, less cholesterol and high triglycerides. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after the age of 40. Symptoms of this diabetes aren’t revealed initially. They come into light gradually with time.
Symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are:
Most symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are common.
® Frequent need to flush out water:
To get rid of excess sugar in blood, body tries to flush it out via urine. Diabetic patients have frequent need to visit restroom to fulfil this purpose.
® Elevated thirst
As the body passes out more urine than usual, it has increased demand of water. Person with diabetes is always thirsty and keeps drinking water.
® Intense hunger
The cells get their energy from glucose. As they have less than required amount of glucose, the person keeps feeling hungry irrespective of the portion size and time intervals between meals.
® Sudden weight loss
Reduced glucose levels leads to body using stored fats to make glucose. This can lead to unexplained weight loss.
® Fatigue and constant irritability
Low energy levels cause fatigue. Stamina decreases and the person feels constantly tired. This causes irritability and makes the patient impatient.
® Blurred vision
Increased blood sugar levels can hamper the blood vessels around eye. This disturbs the eye fluids and makes it difficult for lens to contract or relax. This leads to blurry vision.
® Delayed healing
The excess sugar in blood can affect the blood vessels and nerves. This hampers blood circulation. This makes it difficult to clot wounds and delays the healing. This can also increase risk of infection in open wounds and cuts.
® Recurrent infections
Excessive sugars in blood and urine acts a source of food for yeast. This can cause infections in moist and covered areas of skin like armpits, genital areas and mouth.
® Prickling and stubbiness
Improper functioning of blood vessels can cause feeling of numbness or tingling on arms, fingers, feet and face.
® Patchy dark spots on skin
Skin can have patches and dark spots in neck, armpit or groin. These patches are soft and smooth. They indicate diabetes.
Getting regular diabetes test can ensure timely detection and appropriate treatment. You can check diabetes test price for various labs and centres and choose the most suitable as you will have to make routine visits for regular check-ups. Diabetes isn’t completely curable but diabetes treatment can stop the condition from getting worse. And of course, there isn’t any disease which can’t be controlled or prevented by balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.