What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Sugar Diabetes

Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes

You might notice:

• Unplanned weight loss. If your body can’t get energy from your food, it will start burning muscle and fat for energy instead. You may lose weight even though you haven’t changed how you eat. See which foods are high in trans fatty acids.
• Nausea and vomiting. When your body resorts to burning fat, it makes ketones. These can build up in your blood to dangerous levels, a possibly life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketones can make you feel sick to your stomach.

How The Signs Are Different Between Men And Women

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , men are more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at a lower weight. One reason for this is that men tend to store more fat around their stomachs and this is a risk factor. Men who are living with Type 2 diabetes are also more likely to have heart disease. This combination could lead to erectile dysfunction . In fact, the CDC says men whore living with diabetes are three times more likely to experience ED. Nerve damage from diabetes can also lead to:

• An overactive bladder .

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

The oral glucose tolerance test is a blood test that involves checking blood glucose levels at two different times. Blood is drawn for the first time after a person has gone without food or beverages other than water for at least eight hours.

Blood is drawn and tested again two to three hours after drinking a specific, sugary drink. The process allows medical professionals to see how the body responds to sugar. This test is often used to check for gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

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Early Signs Of Diabetes

Both types of diabetes have some of the same telltale warning signs.

• Hunger and fatigue. Your body converts the food you eat into glucose that your cells use for energy. But your cells need insulin to take in glucose. If your body doesn’t make enough or any insulin, or if your cells resist the insulin your body makes, the glucose can’t get into them and you have no energy. This can make you hungrier and more tired than usual.
• Peeing more often and being thirstier. The average person usually has to pee between four and seven times in 24 hours, but people with diabetes may go a lot more. Why? Normally, your body reabsorbs glucose as it passes through your kidneys. But when diabetes pushes your blood sugar up, your kidneys may not be able to bring it all back in. This causes the body to make more urine, and that takes fluids. The result: You’ll have to go more often. You might pee out more, too. Because you’re peeing so much, you can get very thirsty. When you drink more, you’ll also pee more.
• Dry mouth and itchy skin. Because your body is using fluids to make pee, there’s less moisture for other things. You could get dehydrated, and your mouth may feel dry. Dry skin can make you itchy.
• Blurred vision. Changing fluid levels in your body could make the lenses in your eyes swell up. They change shape and canââ¬â¢t focus.

You Develop Sores That Tend To Heal More Slowly Than Usual

Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and other wounds heal more slowly in the presence of uncontrolled blood sugar, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes causes nerve damage and affects circulation, especially in the lower legs and feet, which can delay healing because there isnt enough blood flow to the area. Even minor wounds are more prone to infections, which can become very serious and even result in amputations of the foot. You may notice drainage seeping onto your socks or an unpleasant smell if you develop a foot ulcer, notes the American Podiatric Medical Association.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes

Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. Some people may not have symptoms, while others’ symptoms are too mild to recognize. However, there are some warning signs to take note of.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:

• A history of gestational diabetes

Additionally, African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, and Pacific Islander populations, and people over the age of 35, have a higher prevalence of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

Who Should Be Tested

Early testing for diabetes is important since the disease is reversible. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and incorporating regular exercise to lose weight, can help. Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it, so if you’re experiencing diabetes symptoms or are at risk, it’s a good idea to get tested for diabetes.

Reasons to be tested for type 2 diabetes include:

• Having overweight or obesity
• Impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or prediabetes diagnosis
• Blood pressure reading of 140/90 millimeters of mercury or higher
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dL or a triglyceride level 250 mg/dL or higher
• Family members with diabetes
• Identify as a race or ethnicity with a higher prevalence of diabetes diagnoses

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Random Blood Sugar Test

The random blood sugar test is also known as the random or casual plasma glucose test. It is typically used when someone is experiencing severe diabetes symptoms and is taken any time of the day regardless of whether they have recently eaten. This test does not differentiate between the normal range and the prediabetes range.

Instead, a result of 200 mg/dL or more is considered diabetic. If the results are below the level that indicates diabetes, your healthcare provider may suggest another test to screen for prediabetes.

Symptoms And Your Type Of Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, the symptoms may have a slow and gradual onset, or you may not notice any at all.

If you have type 1 diabetes, the signs and symptoms can be more sudden and severe. Though you can be diagnosed with any types of diabetes at any age, type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child who is exhibiting signs of increased hunger or thirst, excessive or uncontrolled urination, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue and irritation, it is important to get the child to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

No matter the type of diabetes, if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, swift action is important to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis , a dangerous and life-threatening complication caused when theres not enough insulin in the blood. DKA can lead the body to break down fat for energy, producing ketones which make the blood dangerously acidic.

After a diagnosis of diabetes, once you begin treatment, it is important to also be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

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What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Diabetes

Diabetes symptoms are being studied on an ongoing basis. Thanks to medical researchers, were always learning new things about the link between Diabetes and other factors, preventative measures, and ways to manage Diabetes effectively. The most commonly recognised symptoms of Diabetes include:

• Blurry vision and varying degrees of visual impairment, known as Diabetic Retinopathy.
• Frequent urination and/or kidney function impairment.
• Nerve damage, observed through ongoing numbness and/or tingling sensations in limbs and extremities.
• Fatigue: always feeling tired and lacking energy.

Importance Of Early Diagnosis

An early diagnosis may help prevent complications.

Recognizing the early signs of type 2 diabetes can allow a person to get a diagnosis and treatment sooner. Getting appropriate treatment, making lifestyle changes, and controlling blood sugar levels can greatly improve a persons health and quality of life and reduce the risk of complications.

Without treatment, persistently high blood sugar levels can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening complications, including:

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Being Extra Thirsty And Having To Urinate More Than Usual

This is a common but not-so-obvious sign of blood sugar that is too high: feeling really thirsty and needing to drink more than usual. Excessive urination, known as polyuria, occurs when glucose builds up in your blood, and your kidneys begin working harder to get rid of the extra glucose, says Zanini. If your kidneys cant keep up and adjust blood sugar so that it returns to a normal level, the excess sugar is flushed out of your body through urine, she adds. You may become dehydrated and get dizzy.

Regular Testing Can Put You In The Know

Often, what happens is people minimize the symptoms or rationalize them and they get worse until they become severe enough that they have to see someone, Dr. Pantalone says. They have excessive weight loss or are really tired of peeing all night.

Because symptoms of diabetes are often subtle or nonexistent, especially around the onset, its important to see your doctor regularly for a checkup and testing. This is a must if youre overweight or have risk factors if diabetes runs in your family, for instance.

Risk factors include:

• Being overweight.
• Being 45-years-old or older.
• If youre African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
• Living with high blood pressure.
• Having low HDL cholesterol, or a high level of triglycerides.
• Having a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
• Not being physically active.
• Having a history of heart disease, stroke, depression or polycystic ovary syndrome .

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for Type 2 diabetes if youre between the ages of 40 and 70. If results are normal, you should repeat the testing every three years. If you have a risk factor, the task force recommends beginning screening at a younger age and testing more frequently.

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Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes

Itâs important to get your blood sugar under control to avoid these serious conditions:

• Hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar falls below 70 milligrams per deciliter , it can lead to accidents, coma, and death.
• Hyperglycemia. Blood sugar that goes above 180 to 200 mg/dL can give you heart, nerve, kidney, and vision problems. Over the long term, it also can cause coma and death.

Over time, people with type 2 diabetes may have other health problems:

• Diabetic ketoacidosis. When you donât have enough insulin in your system, your blood sugar rises, and your body breaks down fat for energy. Toxic acids called ketones build up and spill into your urine. It can cause coma and death if you donât treat it.
• Heartand blood vessel diseases. People with diabetes are more likely to have conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which play a role in heart disease. Also, high blood sugar can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart.
• High blood pressure. Diabetes doubles your risk of high blood pressure, which makes you more likely to have heart disease or stroke.
• Nerve damage . This can cause tingling and numbness, most often in your feet and legs. But it can also affect your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart.
• Eyedamage. Diabetes can cause:
• Glaucoma, a buildup of pressure in your eyes
• Cataracts, a cloudiness of your lens
• Retinopathy, which is damage to the blood vessels in your eyes

Is Hyperglycaemia Serious

The aim of diabetes treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible. But if you have diabetes, no matter how careful you are, you’re likely to experience hyperglycaemia at some point.

It’s important to be able to recognise and treat hyperglycaemia, as it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Occasional mild episodes aren’t usually a cause for concern and can be treated quite easily or may return to normal on their own. However, hyperglycaemia can be potentially dangerous if blood sugar levels become very high or stay high for long periods.

Very high blood sugar levels can cause life-threatening complications, such as:

• diabetic ketoacidosis a condition caused by the body needing to break down fat as a source of energy, which can lead to a diabetic coma this tends to affect people with type 1 diabetes
• hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state severe dehydration caused by the body trying to get rid of excess sugar this tends to affect people with type 2 diabetes

Regularly having high blood sugar levels for long periods of time can result in permanent damage to parts of the body such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys and blood vessels.

If you experience hyperglycaemia regularly, speak to your doctor or diabetes care team. You may need to change your treatment or lifestyle to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

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Fasting Blood Sugar Test

The fasting blood sugar test is a blood test used to check the glucose levels in your blood after eight to 10 hours of fasting . A needle is placed into a vein to pull out a small amount of blood for testing. This test is usually scheduled in the morning after fasting all night and before any food is eaten.

What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes

Symptoms of diabetes include

• numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
• sores that do not heal
• unexplained weight loss

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can start quickly, in a matter of weeks. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowlyover the course of several yearsand can be so mild that you might not even notice them. Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Some people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes-related health problems, such as blurred vision or heart trouble.

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See Your Doctor If You Experience High Or Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

If your blood sugar drops to severely low levels it can lead to convulsions, coma or death. Prolonged high blood sugar can lead to eye, organ and other complications or diabetic ketoacidosis, which is also life-threatening. Thats why its important to see your doctor, explain which of the blood-sugar symptoms youre feeling, and go from there.

American Heart Association / World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute For Cancer Research

The , , and recommend a diet that consists mostly of unprocessed plant foods, with emphasis on a wide range of whole grains, legumes, and non-starchy vegetables and fruits. This healthy diet includes a wide range of non-starchy vegetables and fruits which provide different colors including red, green, yellow, white, purple, and orange. The recommendations note that tomato cooked with oil, allium vegetables like garlic, and like cauliflower, provide some protection against cancer. This healthy diet is low in energy density, which may protect against weight gain and associated diseases. Finally, limiting consumption of sugary drinks, limiting energy rich foods, including “fast foods” and red meat, and avoiding processed meats improves health and longevity. Overall, researchers and medical policy conclude that this healthy diet can reduce the risk of chronic disease and cancer.

It is recommended that children consume less than 25 grams of added sugar per day. Other recommendations include no extra sugars in those under 2 years old and less than one soft drink per week. As of 2017, decreasing total fat is no longer recommended, but instead, the recommendation to lower risk of is to increase consumption of and , while decreasing consumption of .

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Blood Sugar Symptoms And Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease in which the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin. The result is that your body cant convert sugar into energy. There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes and there is currently no known cure. Two of the potential warning signs of diabetes are high blood-sugaror hyperglycemiaand low blood sugaror hypoglycemia.

Underlying Conditions And Possible Causes

Polyphagia is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes mellitus. It is associated with hyperthyroidism and endocrine diseases, e.g., , and it has also been noted in and other genetic conditions caused by chromosomal anomalies. It is only one of several diagnostic criteria for bulimia and is not by itself classified as an eating disorder. As a symptom of , it is sometimes termed megaphagia.

Knocking out receptors has been shown to cause hyperphagia.

According to the National Center for Biomedical Information, polyphagia is found in the following conditions:

• Chromosome 22q13 duplication syndrome

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Outbreak Of Small Reddish

When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though.

Eruptive-xanthomatosis

These bumps appear suddenly and clear promptly when diabetes is well-controlled.

When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though. No matter where they form, they are usually tender and itchy. The medical name for this skin condition is eruptive xanthomatosis.

Take action

• Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes.
• Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes.