by Dewan Golam Shafi Choudhury

Created on: July 29, 2010   Last Updated: August 03, 2010

Diabetes is a condition which affects millions of people around the globe. Symptoms might not be diagnosed for several years because they might not be recognised as being linked to diabetes. However, the signs of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are similar. In both cases, the cells of your body don’t receive the glucose they need which in fact causes the symptoms.

Type 1 Diabetes!

Type 1 Diabetes occurs when high levels of glucose are in the blood but no insulin is made. Most cells have insulin receptors attached which binds insulin to the cells. These receptors help absorb glucose from the bloodstream and transfer them to the cells. In other words, the insulin is like a key which unlocks the door to the cell. Without the insulin, you can suffer from insulin starvation despite the large quantities of food you eat and this would ultimately make a person fall severely ill.

Type 2 Diabetes!

Type 2 Diabetes is more common than Type 1. This occurs when the level of insulin is higher than normal and the body’s cells become resistant to the hormone. Once this happens, the body secretes more insulin to feed the cells and causes higher blood sugar levels. After the process of trying to feed the cells fail, the body stores the energy in ‘fat cells’. This is how those who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes gain weight easily and cannot help stop it until the condition corrects itself automatically. To prevent Type 2 Diabetes, it is recommended to start a dieting and perform plenty of exercise.

Diabetes can go undiagnosed. So it is better for you to learn the symptoms that occur and make arrangements to reduce affects of the condition quick as possible.

1)   Frequent urinating!

Do you have to visit the bathroom to urinate throughout the day and night? One symptom of diabetes could be that you urinate very frequently. Constant urination would arise when a high level of glucose is in the blood. Due to insulin not being present, the kidneys find it hard to transfer glucose to the blood. Thus, it tries pulling any extra water out of the blood to weaken the glucose. This results in your bladder filling up quickly and keeps you going to the bathroom.

2)  Losing weight without trying!

If you’re losing weight without even making any effort, it is possible that you are suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. The reason for losing weight is because the body fails to use the glucose that is available to generate energy. This is how a person can become easily weak and hungry.

3)  Numbness!

Gradual build up of glucose in the blood over long periods of time can damage the nervous system without your knowledge. Numbness begins to occur slowly and increasingly worsens during the night. Hands and feet can be most affected by the numbing.

4)  Wounds take longer to heal!

Due to the affects of Diabetes, the immune system in the body turns very weak. This will cause an increase in infections and the likelihood of wounds, cuts and sores to heal slower than normal.

5)  Thirst!

You may be drinking more water than you ever did before but you still have an urge to continuously drink because you are thirsty. This can be a sign of Diabetes if you’re running to the bathroom to get rid of urine because your blood has too much glucose and then becoming thirsty and having to drink more for what you lost earlier.

Summary!

Remember that high glucose levels cause these symptoms. However, the symptoms could indicate something other than Diabetes. But for your own health safety, it is a better idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor and discuss the unusual symptoms you have noticed. You might be one of the millions suffering from the condition.

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