Index
- Symptoms of diabetes, what are they?
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, differences
- The most common symptoms of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- What is pre-diabetes?
- Complications of diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes, what are they?
Diabetes is a disease that has been on the rise in recent years. It can affect both children and adults. Generally, it is caused by a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. The most worrisome thing about not detecting diabetes in time is that it can have very serious consequences. These can be disabling for the person who is ill. In order to better manage this disease, it is necessary to know how to recognize its warning signs. In the following, you will discover the symptoms of diabetes in each form of the disease.
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, differences
Diabetes is a very complex disease that can be divided into two main categories: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. These two forms of the disease differ in a number of ways.
- Type 1 diabetes: this form of the disease originates in childhood or adolescence. As such, it can affect children, adolescents and young adults. The cause of type 1 diabetes is the destruction of the part of the pancreas dedicated to the production of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows a better use of the energy provided by food, especially glucose.
- Type 2 diabetes: this form of diabetes mainly affects adults. Type 2 diabetes occurs between the ages of 55 and 65. It is linked to insufficient production of insulin and the insensitivity of the body's cells to the action of this hormone.
Although the mechanisms of onset of these two types of diabetes are different, both have the effect of increasing blood glucose levels.
The most common symptoms of diabetes
A large amount of glucose in the blood causes several symptoms that lead doctors to suspect diabetes. Among the first signs that should alert you to diabetes, the most common are :
- intense and frequent thirst;
- constant hunger
- Blurred vision
- drowsiness and fatigue that persists throughout the day
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Tingling in the feet and fingers;
- A weight gain or loss that the patient cannot explain
- Irritability
- Fruity breath
- InWounds that take time to heal
Type 1 diabetes
Regardless of the patient's age, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are the same. In the majority of cases, they occur abruptly. The most noticeable sign is hyperglycemia. This is accompanied by other signs such as intense thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, stomach aches or frequent urination. The patient may also be subject to persistent and intense fatigue. This increases the risk of an acid ketotic coma. But before this coma, the patient becomes more dehydrated, breathing becomes noisy and consciousness disorders may occur. Bedwetting is also a sign that may hide type 2 diabetes in children.
Type 2 diabetes
This form of diabetes is distinguished by the fact that it progresses silently. It can take decades from the onset of the disease to the first hyperglycaemia. Type 2 diabetes evolves in 3 stages. The first stage corresponds to the phase of insulin resistance during which insulin resistance of the body's cells is noted. The second stage is hyperinsulinism. It results in an increase in the production of insulin by the pancreas in order to adapt to insulin resistance. The final phase is insulin deficiency. At this stage, the pancreas is no longer able to produce the sufficient amount of insulin the body needs. As with type 1 diabetes, a person with type 2 diabetes is prone to hyperglycemia. However, this form of diabetes is only detected when it leads to complications such as erectile dysfunction, reduced vision or a heart attack. In clearer terms, type 2 diabetes is only detected when the patient is in situations that increase the body's need for insulin.
What is pre-diabetes?
This may be the first time you've heard of prediabetes. In fact, it's a condition that precedes diabetes. At this stage the subject has higher than normal blood sugar levels. However, the blood sugar level is not high enough to say that he or she has diabetes. In other words, prediabetes is a buffer zone that can lead to diabetes. At this stage, the body gradually begins to lose its ability to regulate blood sugar levels after eating. Unfortunately, the condition of prediabetes is quite difficult to identify because it has no symptoms.
Complications of diabetes
It is very important to detect diabetes early in order to avoid more serious complications. Indeed, this pathology can lead to several health problems that can be fatal. These complications develop several years after the onset of diabetes. Some of the most common complications of diabetes are :
- Kidney damage
- Eye diseases
- Nerve damage
- Heart problems
- Blood circulation disorders
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