Signs of Diabetes

Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the prevalent diseases across the world. In Australia there is said to be 1.7 million people living with Diabetes and 50% of them don’t know they have it. Recent studies have also shown that Australians do not see Diabetes as  serious illness and believe that they have a lower risk of developing than they actually do.

Diabetes, itself, is not a deadly disease but it may cause several other problems including Heart disease and stroke, High blood pressure, Blindness, Kidney disease, Nervous system disease etc and that is what  makes it a fatal disease. It is always advisable to be careful and diagnose the disease as early as possible so that proper medication can be started and further complications can be averted. Ccording to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Type 2 diabetes is the most frequent cause of kidney failure in countries of the Western world.² These figures clearly indicate how diabetes can bring hundreds of complication to a healthy body. Apart from some well established lab tests, there are home tests, which can be performed by individuals with ease.

Diabetes is categorized into three categories 1. Type 1 diabetes, 2. Type 2 diabetes and 3. Gestational diabetes. All the three types of diabetes may have different symptoms, however the early signs of Type 2 diabetes are difficult to detect but may include:

·         Polyuria or frequent urination

·         Polydipsia or increased thirst

·         Polyphagia or increased hunger

·         Weakness and Fatigue

·         Numbness in Hands, Legs or Feet

·         Skin infections

·         Unexplained weight loss

These are the most common early signs. In type 1, these symptoms appear soon but in type 2 these may appear slowly and in many cases, there may be no symptoms at all. Further, in both the first two types, the problem of blurred vision may be observed. Type 1 Diabetes and Gestational diabetes are more severe conditions than type 2, which is the most common of all diabetes problems.

Some other severs symptoms, which may appear in long run are:

·         Sexual problems

·         Erectile failure

·         Unusual vaginal dryness

·         Premature menopause

·         Irregular periods

Apart from these, Muscle cramps and aches, Headaches, Irritability, Tiredness are also possible signs of the disease.

Untreated, Diabetes causes serious harm to the body. Early detection is key so that if an abnormal result is confirmed and treated by your doctor, it can prevent or delay the onset of serious side effects.

For more information : http://www.home-check.net.au/Diabetes.html