The early symptoms of diabetes can be hard to detect sometimes. Here is a list to help you determine whether you or a loved one may be diabetic.
The first symptom most people notice is they are urinating often. Sometimes they urinate every hour, even during the night.
Because of the frequent urination, people with diabetes feel they are continually thirsty. Unfortunately, sugary drinks seem to help the most, but by drinking them more, the person needs to urinate more, thus starting a vicious cycle.
Someone with diabetes may notice white marks on their underwear. These are spots of dried up urine, which is white from the excess stores of glucose.
Those with diabetes also feel tired, weak or apathetic. This is because they are not getting the glucose they need from their food. Glucose is energy and if the body does got get it from food, it will take the energy (or glucose) it needs from its fat stores or even from muscle. Without the energy it needs, the body could fall into a diabetic coma.
Because of this depletion of energy, many people find they lose weight rapidly without trying to do so.
Other symptoms include frequent urinary tract infections, tingling in the hands and feet and blurred vision. Left unchecked, these can turn into very serious health problems.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is essential to see your doctor as soon as possible. Your blood and your urine will be tested. You may also be given a glucose tolerance test; you are given a sugary solution to drink, and then your blood glucose level is checked at regular intervals for several hours afterward.
If your glucose levels in your urine or your blood are above acceptable limits, then you will be started on treatment for diabetes, depending on whether you have type one (insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes) or type two (insulin independent or adult-onset diabetes.)
If you are diagnosed with either type, it is essential to follow the treatment program carefully. You will likely have to follow a specific diet and carefully monitor how many carbohydrates you eat. You will also have to take special care of your eyes, teeth and feet, which are all prone to increased problems because of diabetes.
If you think you may have diabetes, don’t despair. While there is no known cure for it, advances in medicine are introducing new helps every day. Many people go on to live quite normal lives. If you have symptoms of diabetes, take action today.