Symptoms Of Diabetes - Know What To Look For

In American today, there are a staggering twenty million plus people that suffer from some form of diabetes, and almost a third of those have not been diagnosed or sought treatment. While most of us have at least commercials for diabetes testing supplies on the television, many people are not sure what it is or the symptoms of diabetes.

The cause of diabetes is a result of the body not producing enough insulin, which prevents glucose from entering the bloodstream, denying cells needed sugars. Since the body uses sugar as fuel, any interruption in the functioning of this process is a significant health issue. Without the smooth transfer of sugar into the bloodstream, the body almost starves itself, or in some cases tricks itself into storing too much.

Gestational diabetes occurs in every one of twenty pregnancies. Pregnant women suffer from increased urination and fatigue. Additionally, one person out of ten demonstrates pre-diabetes symptoms, with the possibility that these could develop into another form of the disease. The most common forms, however, are types 1 and 2 diabetes, and these are in the greatest need of being addressed.

Of all the cases of diabetes in the world, only about 10% are Type 1, the kind which affects the immune system. People with undiagnosed diabetes exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, insatiable thirst or hunger, blurred vision, and unexplained loss of weight. The immune system is set up to eliminate foreign substances that try to infiltrate the body. With Type 1, immune system functions are interrupted which results in too little insulin being secreted by the pancreas. Once a person develops Type 1, he will be dependent on insulin for the rest of his life. There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes.

By far, Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for eight out of ten cases. This is also the type of diabetes that people tend to develop as they age, are overweight, or are in families that have many diabetics. Unlike Type 1, the pancreas functions properly in Type 2, but the body is unable to process it. This can actually be the cause of weight gain, but the symptoms of diabetes remain the same, including abnormal hunger and thirst, vision impairment, and even a elongated recovery time from injuries.

People suffering from any of these symptoms of diabetes should seek immediate medical attention. Although the prospect of buying and using diabetic testing supplies may seem unpleasant, ignoring these symptoms can be dangerous or even life threatening. Any primary care physician can analyze your symptoms and recommend a good course of action accordingly.

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