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How Would You Know If You Have Diabetes


Early Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

Diabetes Symptoms & Treatments : How to Know If You Have Diabetes

1. Frequent urination

When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. One of the early warning signs of diabetes is frequent urination that is urgent enough to wake you up to go to the bathroom during sleep.

2. Increased thirst

While your kidneys are working overtime and youre urinating more frequently, valuable fluids will be pulled from your tissues. Frequent urination will make you feel constantly thirsty.

3. Fatigue

When your blood sugar is high, your body works hard to get rid of the excess sugar. Not only does this process take a toll on your body, but it also alters the way that your body uses glucose for energy. Excessively high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, has fatiguing effects among other symptoms. Additionally, the dehydration that accompanies more frequent urination is a common cause of fatigue in diabetics.

4. Blurred vision

High blood sugar can cause damage to the small blood vessels of the eye, resulting in a swollen lens that can cause blurred vision. As blood sugar levels rise and lower, your vision may return to normal or worsen, respectively.


5. Increased hunger

When you have high blood sugar, your body is actively looking to get rid of it. Because your body expels so much of the glucose you’re getting from your food, you may have increased feelings of hunger.

6. Unexplained weight loss

7. Slow healing cuts and wounds

8. Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

9. Skin discoloration

How Can I Best Balance My Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms And Daily Life

Fortunately, there are medications that can help keep T1D at bay and reduce the risk of long-term complications. Type 1 diabetics who cannot make their own insulin will need a way to deliver it to their bodies, either through a pump or through injections underneath the skin with syringes or pens.

When T1D is properly controlled, a person with the condition will show no signs or symptoms, because they are playing an active role in keeping their blood sugar levels steady.

Signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes can come on quickly, and they arent always obvious. Many times, theyre mistaken for other conditions. Making yourself aware of the signs and symptoms of T1D is a great way to be proactive about your health and the health of your family members. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms in yourself or a loved one, get in touch with your doctor ASAP. They can make a diagnosis by checking blood glucose levels and A1C to start treatment before there are any complications.

How To Know When You’ll Need Insulin

Injecting insulin above and to the side of the belly button can result in more consistent results.


There’s no simple way to tell when a patient with type 2 would do best on insulin, says Richard Hellman, MD, former president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. But there are guidelines.

“In general if a patient has a hemoglobin A1C that is higher than the agreed upon goal and they are not on insulin, we recommend insulin therapy,” Dr. Hellman says. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C of 7% or below, and the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommend an A1C of 6.5% or below.

If you can’t lower your A1C with diet, exercise, or other medications, you may need insulin to do the job.

Exceptions to the insulin ruleThere are exceptions, of course. Someone who otherwise seems to be a good candidate for insulin may not be able to manage such a regimen if he or she has limited vision and dexterity and no family support. Good News About Today’s Improved Insulins

If you do need insulin in the short- or long-term, your doctor may prescribe one of four different types. These vary by how quickly or slowly they reach the bloodstream , the amount of time they work at maximum strength , and how long they continue to be effective .


According to the American Diabetes Association , your need for insulin is based on several factors.

Also Check: How Many Carbs Should A Diabetic Have In One Day

What Are The Risk Factors For Diabetes

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as well understood as those for type 2 diabetes. Family history is a known risk factor for type 1 diabetes. Other risk factors can include having certain infections or diseases of the pancreas.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are many. The following can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes:

  • Being obese or overweight
  • Ethnic background: Hispanic/Latino Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Alaska natives are at greater risk.

What Are The Acute Complications Of Diabetes

How Do You Know You Have Diabetes (Audiobook) by Ruben ...
  • Severely elevated blood sugar levels due to an actual lack of insulin or a relative deficiency of insulin.
  • Abnormally low blood sugar levels due to too much insulin or other glucose-lowering medications.
  • Acute complications of type 2 diabetes

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, stress, infection, and medications can also lead to severely elevated blood sugar levels. Accompanied by dehydration, severe blood sugar elevation in patients with type 2 diabetes can lead to an increase in blood osmolality . This condition can worsen and lead to coma . A hyperosmolar coma usually occurs in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Like diabetic ketoacidosis, a hyperosmolar coma is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment with intravenous fluid and insulin is important in reversing the hyperosmolar state. Unlike patients with type 1 diabetes, patients with type 2 diabetes do not generally develop ketoacidosis solely on the basis of their diabetes. Since in general, type 2 diabetes occurs in an older population, concomitant medical conditions are more likely to be present, and these patients may actually be sicker overall. The complication and death rates from hyperosmolar coma is thus higher than in diabetic ketoacidosis.


    Blood glucose is essential for the proper functioning of brain cells. Therefore, low blood sugar can lead to central nervous system symptoms such as:

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    Recognizing Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

  • 1Be aware of the following signs and symptoms. If you have 2 or more on the list below, it is best to see your doctor for further evaluation. Common signs and symptoms of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes include:XTrustworthy SourceUS Food and Drug AdministrationU.S. government agency responsible for promoting public healthGo to source
  • Excessive thirst
  • 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.

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    You Frequently Use The Toilet

    If you find yourself urinating more than usual, that’s another potential warning sign of diabetes.


    As many as 70 percent of people with type 2 diabetes experience frequent urination. This is due to changes in the kidneys caused by impaired blood flow, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

    The high glucose levels in your body can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys.

    This can cause mild kidney damage called microalbuminuria, leading to more severe problems down the road if diabetes isn’t managed well. If you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll probably urinate so often that it interferes with your everyday life.

    When To Call Your Doctor

    Diabetes Tips : How to Tell If You Have Diabetes

    If you’re older than 45 or have other risks for diabetes, it’s important to get tested. When you spot the condition early, you can avoid nerve damage, heart trouble, and other complications.

    As a general rule, call your doctor if you:


    • Feel sick to your stomach, weak, and very thirsty
    • Are peeing a lot
    • Have a bad belly ache
    • Are breathing more deeply and faster than normal
    • Have sweet breath that smells like nail polish remover

    Show Sources

    Cleveland Clinic: “Diabetes: Frequently Asked Questions” and “What Is Diabetes?”à ââ¬ÅDiabetes: Preventing Complications,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅHyperglycemia .ââ¬ï¿½

    University of Michigan Health System: “Type 1 Diabetes.”

    National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: “Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Taking Steps to Lower Your Risk of Getting Diabetes.”

    Baylor Scott & White Healthcare: “Urinary Frequency” and “Diabetes and Diabetic Neuropathy Hard-to-Heal Wounds.”

    Sutter Health: “Question & Answer: Is Sudden Weight Loss a Sign of Diabetes? If So, Why?”


    Neithercott, T. Diabetes Forecast, August 2013.

    University of Rochester Medical Center: “Diabetic Skin Troubles.”

    Joslin Diabetes Center: “Diseases of the Eye” and “Diabetic Neuropathy: What You Need to Know.”

    The Nemours Foundation: “When Blood Sugar Is Too High.”

    Virginia Mason Medical Center: “Complications.”


    Carolinas Health System: “Diabetes: Yeast Infections and Diabetes: What You Should Know.”

    Geisinger Health: ââ¬Å3 reasons diabetic wounds are slow to heal.ââ¬ï¿½

    Also Check: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

    How Do I Know If I Have Diabetes

    Work through a series of simple questions designed to deduce whether you’re showing the common symptoms of diabetes.

    Can’t see the quiz?


    Diabetes is on the rise, with 4.6 million adults currently diagnosed with the condition in the UK alone, according to Diabetes UK. Around 10% of sufferers have type 1 diabetes – an autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin. However, 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes, usually caused by poor diet and lifestyle choices .

    When Should You See Your Doctor

    If you run though our check-list of foods and medications above, and you havent had anything to turn your pee a funky color, or if you have an odor, fever, nausea and vomiting, low flank, or pubic pain then its time to see your doctor or healthcare provider about your urine. Generally, if you dont know whats causing it, and its a change from your usual, then get your urine checked!

    Your doctor can perform a variety of tests to determine whats going on with your urine. It may be that you need an antibiotic for an infection in the urinary tract, , or you could need an antispasmodic for your bladder if you have an overactive bladder.

    If your urine indicates an illness of some kind, such as diabetes, then your doctor can test you for them. Kidneys are important organs that we cant live without, at least not without kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant. Having urine issues can be embarrassing but dont be afraid to contact your family doctor.

    Read Also: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar


    You Get Enough Sleep But You’re Still So Tired

    Carbohydrates, which your body breaks down into glucose, are your bodys main source of energy. But your body cant effectively use that source of energy when you have diabetes, explains Goundan.

    Of course, there are tons of other reasons you could be feeling exhausted, including your diet, stress levels, and how much youve been sleeping.

    Still, if you can’t think of any other good reason for your extreme fatigue, and your low energy levels are accompanied by some of these other diabetes symptoms, its worth getting checked out.

    No Matter Where You Are In Your Fight Heres Where You Need To Be

    Could You Have Diabetes? How to Recognize the Early ...

    Whether youve been newly diagnosed, have been fighting against type 1 or type 2 diabetes for a while, or are helping a loved one, youve come to the right place. This is the start of gaining a deeper understanding of how you can live a healthier lifewith all the tools, health tips, and food ideas you need. Wherever youre at with your diabetes, know that you have options and that you dont have to be held back. You can still live your best life. All you have to do is take action and stick with it.

    New to diabetes? Learn how diabetes is diagnosed.


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    Signs Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Diabetes

    The signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly, especially in children, over a period of weeks. In babies and young children, the first indication of Type 1 diabetes may be a yeast infection that causes a severe diaper rash that’s far worse than the common red, puffy and tender skin rash. In young children and infants, lethargy, dehydration and abdominal pain also may indicate Type 1 diabetes.

    Once the symptoms appear, a blood test generally will reveal very high blood glucose.

    Type 2 diabetes can be detected easily during a routine screening exam and blood test. However, it frequently can go undiagnosed for years unless a physician draws a blood sample to check the blood glucose.

    In the early stages of Type 2 diabetes, you experience few to no noticeable signs of the disease. As time goes by and the untreated blood glucose continues to rise, symptoms begin.


    If you’re over 40 or have parents or siblings with diabetes, be sure to have your blood glucose checked routinely.

    The most common symptoms of undiagnosed Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are:

    What Are The Other Types Of Diabetes

    Gestational diabetes

    Diabetes can occur temporarily during pregnancy, and reports suggest that it occurs in 2% to 10% of all pregnancies. Significant hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to blood sugar elevation in genetically predisposed individuals. Blood sugar elevation during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually resolves once the baby is born. However, 35% to 60% of women with gestational diabetes will eventually develop type 2 diabetes over the next 10 to 20 years, especially in those who require insulin during pregnancy and those who remain overweight after their delivery. Women with gestational diabetes are usually asked to undergo an oral glucose tolerance test about six weeks after giving birth to determine if their diabetes has persisted beyond the pregnancy, or if any evidence is present that may be a clue to a risk for developing diabetes.

    Secondary diabetes

    “Secondary” diabetes refers to elevated blood sugar levels from another medical condition. Secondary diabetes may develop when the pancreatic tissue responsible for the production of insulin is destroyed by disease, such as chronic pancreatitis , trauma, or surgical removal of the pancreas.

    Hormonal disturbances

    Medications

    Certain medications may worsen diabetes control, or “unmask” latent diabetes. This is seen most commonly when steroid medications are taken and also with medications used in the treatment of HIV infection .

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    What Is Diabetic Kidney Disease

    Diabetic Kidney Disease, or DKA, is the type of kidney disease that is caused by diabetes mellitus. You may hear DKA referred to by other names, such as Chronic Kidney Disease, or Diabetic Nephropathy. Its all the same thing. Check out our article here to learn more about Diabetes and Renal Failure.

    As the leading cause of kidney disease, one fourth of people with diabetes have kidney or renal disease. Years of high blood sugars damage the kidneys, and the filtration system doesnt work properly. As the blood vessels in the kidneys become damaged, blood flow to the kidneys is compromised. Kidney damage puts a strain on the heart, and other organs.

    Will you see changes in your urine with DKA?

    This is when you can see changes in your urine, related to the state of your kidneys. You could see a marked decrease in the amount of urine that is made, dark amber urine, and other symptoms.

    Kidney disease with diabetes is not inevitable, and there are ways that people with diabetes can protect their kidneys from damage, and prevent DKA.

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

    How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes – Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

    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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