How Do You Know You Have Diabetes

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:

What Is Type 1 Diabetes

People who have type 1 diabetes cant use glucose for energy. Thats because their body stopped making the hormone insulin. Normally, after we eat, the amount of glucose in the blood goes up. When it does, the pancreas sends insulin into the blood. Insulin works like a key that opens the doors of the bodys cells to let the glucose in, giving the cells the energy they need.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesnt make insulin. Without insulin, glucose can’t get into the cells. It stays in the blood, which leads to high blood sugar. Having too much sugar in the blood isnt healthy and can cause problems. Some problems happen quickly and need treatment right away, while others develop over time and show up later in life.

Diabetes Warning Signs: 10 Early Symptoms You Shouldn`t Ignore

Here are 10 early symptoms that can help you recognize the onset of diabetes and aid you in getting your blood sugar under control before its too late.

1. You Pee a Lot

When the glucose level in your blood is high, your body tries to compensate by having your kidneys filter the excess sugar from your blood. The kidneys then flush the glucose from your body through your urine, increasing the frequency with which you must pee. You may also have an increase in urinary tract infections and notice that you get up more frequently at night to urinate.

2. Youre Always Thirsty

Because your kidneys are causing more frequent urination, it makes sense that your body is low on fluids, causing you to become dehydrated. And because youre dehydrated, you can feel thirsty all the time. You may also experience an extremely dry mouth.

3. Youre Hungry All the Time

When you have diabetes, your body doesnt properly use the energy in the foods you eat. Although glucose is present in the blood, your cells cant absorb it and begin to starve for energy. As a response, the cells communicate with the pancreas, saying they need more energy. The pancreas then increases the amount of insulin in the body, which tells the brain that youre hungry.

4. You Unexpectedly Lose Weight

5. Your Skin Becomes Very Dry

Another diabetes warning sign is dry, itchy skin. Caused by a combination of increased blood sugar levels and poor circulation, your skin may feel flaky and have an increased risk of infection.

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Check If You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• peeing more than usual, particularly at night
• feeling thirsty all the time
• feeling very tired
• losing weight without trying to
• itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
• cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
• blurred vision

You’re more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:

• are over 40
• have a close relative with diabetes
• are overweight or obese
• are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin

Prepare Emergency Snack Packs

Put a few glucose tablets, or five or six pieces of hard candy, into baggies. Always carry a few when you go out in case you get low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia. When blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL, you can feel dizzy, hungry, or shaky. It can happen when you skip a meal, take too much diabetes medicine, or exercise harder than usual without eating.

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How Can I Check If I Have Diabetes

February 17, 2022 by Diabetes Care

Are you wondering, do I have diabetes? The reality is, anyone can develop this disease. Thats why its so important to be aware of signs and symptoms that may signal diabetes and get tested for a proper diagnosis. Here are some key ways to check if you have diabetes or may be at risk for developing it in the future.

How To Know If I Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a range of disorders derived from prolonged high blood sugar, usually caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin. The are two main types, the differences between which we discuss below, but the symptoms can be difficult to diagnose. With type 2 diabetes particularly, the condition may have developed without you even noticing. If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious health risks as well as greatly affect your overall quality of life. This why is you are wondering how to know if you have diabetes, you need to pay attention to your body and be careful of lifestyle choices. oneHOWTO shows you what to look for as the main signs of this condition, but also recommend visiting a doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis.

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You’re Losing Weightbut Aren’t Trying To

Unexplained weight loss can happen for lots of reasons, and diabetes is one of them. Goundan explains that insulin helps your body move sugar from your blood to your cells, so when you have an insulin resistance, you dont get enough energy into your cells despite all that sugar flowing through your body. Because youre unable to get enough energy from sugar, your body burns your own fat and muscle for energy,” Kellis says. “Weight loss can be pretty significant, sometimes 10 to 20 pounds.”

Generally, doctors recommend visiting the doc if you unintentionally lose between 5 to 10 percent of your body weight over the course of six months.

Other Types Of Diabetes

Other forms of insulin-resistant diabetes also can be seen in gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary disease, acanthosis nigricans, and maturity-onset diabetes of the young or MODY. Insulin resistant diabetes can also be unmasked by medications like prednisone. In rare cases, a type similar to Type1 diabetes but without antibodies may be seen following trauma to the pancreas, following pancreatic surgery, or after exposure to toxins like Agent Orange. This type is insulin-dependent because no insulin can be produced once the pancreas is removed or severely damaged.

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Tingling Numbness Or Pain In The Hands Or Feet

High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and damage the bodys nerves. In people with type 2 diabetes, this can lead to pain or a sensation of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

This condition is known as neuropathy, and it can worsen over time and lead to more serious complications if a person does not get treatment for their diabetes.

Maybe It’s A Different Type

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but isnt responding well to the typical treatments for type 2 diabetes, it may be worth a visit to an endocrinologist to determine what type of diabetes is happening. Generally, this requires antibody tests and possibly the measurement of a C-peptide level.

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Does Your Diabetes Type Ever Change

Even ignoring the high numbers of people with Type 1.5 who are initially misdiagnosed as Type 2, the lines between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes often get blurred over time. Due to aging and weight gain in those with Type 1, the progressive nature of beta-cell failure in Type 2, and the mixture of obesity and antibodies in young people, those with one type of diabetes often tend to take on characteristics of the other.

With less exercise and more weight around the middle, some Type 1s become not only insulin-deficient but also insulin resistant. They can develop the cardiac risks associated with Metabolic Syndrome and benefit from medications that lower cholesterol and blood pressure. More insulin is required to control glucose levels, while certain Type 2 medications, like Glucophage and GLP-1 agonists, may benefit their control.

On the other hand, as Type 2 diabetes progresses, insulin production may diminish to a point where it can no longer maintain normal glucose levels. Insulin will be required to keep glucose levels under control. Some people with Type 2 eventually become dependent on insulin and can go into ketoacidosis in stressful situations. In fact, ketoacidosis is about twice as common in Type 2 diabetes as it is in Type 1.

Lab Tests Used for DiagnosisA variety of lab tests and clinical signs help to provide the information needed to determine which type of diabetes a person has correctly.

Understanding Diabetes From Other Causes

In addition to type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, a small minority of people develop specific types of diabetes due to other causes. This includes:

• Monogenic diabetes syndromes, such as neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young
• Diseases of the exocrine pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis
• Drug or chemical-induced diabetes, such as with glucocorticoid use, in the treatment of HIV/AIDS or after organ transplantation

Because these types of diabetes are rare, they are often misdiagnosed as other types of diabetes. You can learn more about these types of diabetes in the Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes section in the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. If you think you might have one of these types, be sure to talk with your doctor.

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What Causes These Symptoms

Diabetes symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in the blood, and isnt being used as fuel for energy. The body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by flushing the excess glucose out of the body in the urine, making you more thirsty. High levels of glucose being passed in the urine are a perfect breeding ground for the fungal infection which causes thrush. But not everyone gets symptoms. In fact, 6 out of 10 people have no symptoms when theyre diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Other Signs Of Diabetes

Pay attention if you find yourself feeling drowsy or lethargic pain or numbness in your extremities vision changes fruity or sweet-smelling breath which is one of the symptoms of high ketones and experiencing nausea or vomitingas these are additional signs that something is not right. If theres any question, see your doctor immediately to ensure that your blood sugar levels are safe and rule out diabetes.

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How Is Diabetes Treated

Diabetes can be treated in several ways. Diet, physical activity, and careful monitoring are important if you have diabetes, no matter which type of diabetes you have.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life. Thats because your pancreas doesnt produce the insulin your body needs.

If you have type 2 diabetes, it may be possible to control your diabetes with lifestyle changes, such as diet, weight loss, and exercise. You may also need to take oral or injectable medications, including insulin or metformin, to manage your blood sugar levels.

If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, youll need to carefully track your diet to prevent your blood sugar levels from getting too high. This generally means watching your carbohydrate intake as well as limiting over-processed, low fiber foods, such as:

• sugary sodas
• fruit-flavored yogurt
• flavored coffee drinks

Your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan to help you control your blood sugar levels.

Overweight Obesity And Physical Inactivity

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese. Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart and blood vessel disease. To see if your weight puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes, check out these Body Mass Index charts.

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What Is The Difference Between Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

Before you can know if you have diabetes, you need to know the difference between the two main types. There are other conditions which fall under the banner group of diabetes mellitus , but type 1 and type 2 diabetes make up the majority. One, gestational diabetes, happens during pregnancy and is something which should be monitored for during pregnancy check-ups.

• Type 1 diabetes: this is when the pancreas does not produce insulin to regulate your blood sugar. It is diagnosed most commonly earlier in life, usually during childhood. Genetics play a part in whether or not you will get type 1 diabetes, but many genes can affect it.
• Type 2 diabetes: this is when the body develops resistance to and creates a lack of insulin leading to inability to control blood sugar levels. It is usually diagnosed later in life and is very related to lifestyle, particularly obesity.

Insulin is a hormone which regulates our metabolism, promoting the absorption of carbohydrates, fats and protein into the blood stream. This is essential to our survival as these nutrients keep our body functioning and help our immune system to function properly. It is created in the pancreas, so damage to this organ can have a drastic effect on our ability to produce insulin.

Open Sores And Wounds

Having high blood sugar for a long time can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. You may have developed these if youve had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time.

Poor circulation and nerve damage can make it hard for your body to heal wounds. This is especially true on the feet. These open wounds are called diabetic ulcers.

Diabetes and feet

• Get immediate medical care for an open sore or wound.
• Work with your doctor to better control your diabetes.

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What Are The Different Types Of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. In people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas canât create insulin while with type 2 diabetes, one or more of these scenarios may be at play:

• the body doesnât respond properly to the insulin being produced

• the insulin doesnât work as it should

• the pancreas doesnât produce enough insulin.

Type 2 is the most common form, accounting for 85% of all diabetes . Gestational diabetes can occur in expectant mums and generally goes away after the baby is born. There are rarely warning signs of gestational diabetes, which is why all pregnant women are screened for it.

Thereâs also a condition called prediabetes, in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not at type 2 diabetes level. However, if you have this condition, you are 10 to 20 times more likely to go on to develop type 2 diabetes and should be on the lookout for diabetes warning signs.

Recognizing Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

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How Is Type 1 Diabetes Treated

Type 1 diabetes needs lifelong treatment because there is no cure yet. Doctors treat type 1 diabetes using a diabetes care plan. The care plan tells you and your child the things to do every day to help keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.

Each childs diabetes care plan is made just for them. But all plans have the same 4 basic parts:

• take insulin
• eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes counting carbohydrates
• check blood sugar levels at least 4 times a day
• get regular physical activity

Following the diabetes care plan helps kids stay healthy, now and into the future.

Yellowish Scaly Patches On And Around Your Eyelids

These develop when you have high fat levels in your blood. It can also be a sign that your diabetes is poorly controlled.The medical name for this condition is xanthelasma.

Take action

• Tell your doctor about the yellowish scaly patches around your eyes.
• Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches.

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Youre Getting Yeast Infections More Often Than Usual

Hyperglycemia may lead you to get more frequent genital yeast infections. The culprit is often a type of yeast known as Candida albicans, per the ADA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in females the symptoms can include: vaginal itching, redness or soreness pain during sexual intercourse pain or discomfort during urination and thick, abnormal vaginal discharge. While yeast infections are common in people who dont have diabetes, having more glucose in your blood puts you at higher risk of getting them. The yeast feeds off the glucose, and if your blood sugar is high theres more glucose in the urinary tract, explains Bandukwala. Uncircumcised men with hyperglycemia are also at risk, he says.

Were also seeing this happen a little more now with patients who take SGLT-2 inhibitors, which force the body to expel more glucose through the urine, the endocrinologist adds. The FDA has added a warning to the prescribing information for SGLT-2 inhibitors about a far more rare and potentially fatal genital condition, known as necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, or Fourniers gangrene .