Diabetes Symptoms

There are two most common initial diabetes symptoms in general: increased thirst and frequent urination. Initial diabetes symptoms usually partake of hyperglycaemia, the medical term for elevated levels of blood glucose.

Type I Diabetes

The early symptoms of Type I diabetes usually take place unexpectedly, and can be life-threatening. With decreased insulin production, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of being used by the body's cells to generate energy. To make up for this missing energy, the body breaks down fat, producing energy and releasing fatty acids. In turn, the fatty acids are metabolised, and among the by-products are toxic chemicals called ketones, which raises blood acidity to dangerous levels (a condition termed ketoacidosis).

A certain sign that a person has diabetic ketoacidosis is when his breath smells like a nail polish remover or a fruit. Other initial symptoms include excessive thirst and urination, nausea, dehydration, fatigue, weight loss, dry or flushed skin, abdominal pain, rapid breathing as well as mental confusion.

Diabetic ketoacidosis requires immediate hospitalisation. If you or somebody close to you develops any of the above symptoms, you must call your doctor right away. Death can result, but aggressive administration of insulin and fluids greatly improves chances of recovery.

Type II Diabetes

Unlike Type I diabetes, Type II takes many years to develop and it may be hard to notice its initial symptoms. Some people only realise that they have developed Type II diabetes after a routine laboratory test showing high blood glucose levels.

As glucose levels keep increasing, the classic initial diabetes symptoms become more pronounced: increased urination; insatiable thirst and increased fluid intake; and, in later stages, weight loss despite incessant food cravings and greater food intake. These symptoms disappear after successful treatment to lower blood glucose levels.

Fatigue, skin and gum infections, recurrent vaginal yeast infections, and blurred vision because of the changing glucose level in the eye are other common symptoms of Type II diabetes. These are temporary and do not necessarily result in permanent damage. They can be eliminated completely if blood glucose level is controlled.

Importance of Periodic Screening

Screening for diabetes in individuals 45 years and older should be done every three years, according to the American Diabetes Association, to facilitate early detection and minimise risk of long-term complications. Screening is also recommended for individuals under age 45 who have increased risk of diabetes because of obesity, high blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or higher), or their ethnicity (black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American).

Diabetes Treatment

Vegetables are among the numerous plant substitutes tried for the treatment of the diabetes mellitus. A few vegetables that are commonly consumed in Asia have been known to possess antidiabetic potency. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest to screen such plant food materials, for possible treatment of diabetes. Considerable amount of work has been carried out in this regard with bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and ivy gourd (Coccinia indica) both in experimental animals and human diabetic subjects.

Studies on other vegetables such as cabbage (brassica oleracia), capsicum (Capsicum annum), green leafy vegetables, beans and tubers have shown the beneficial hypoglycaemic influence in diabetic patients.

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With exercise and proper dietary supplements, you will be able to lead a reasonably active life as a diabetic. Though Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition, you can still be in effective control.

Information On How You Can Manage & Control Diabetes