Diabetes is a chronic medical condition affecting more than 24 million Americans. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 65 percent of individuals with diabetes die because of complications of metabolic syndrome-diabetes, heart disease and the accompanying autoimmune problems. Recognizing the signs and symptoms, getting diagnosed and getting adequate treatment is the first step. Making healthy lifestyle changes that include proper diet, physical activity and avoiding risks such as high caloric meals and smoking will greatly help in managing any form of this disease.
Type I or “Juvenile”
Type I diabetes mellitis is also commonly referred to as “Juvenile” diabetes because of it being diagnosed early in life. From childhood and early youth, signs and symptoms that the body is not creating enough insulin becomes obvious and insulin-therapy is required to manage the disease. The American Diabetes Association suggest that symptoms accompanying Type I include frequent need to urinate, followed by insatiable thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, irritability and unexplained weight loss. Some individuals also experience nausea, cold sweats, confusion and low blood sugar readings.
Type II Insipidus
Type II diabetes is non-insulin dependent. Many individuals diagnosed with this form exhibit symptoms from Type I, with the addition of frequent infections, changes in vision, unexplainable cuts or bruising, tingling and numbness in the limbs, and chronic infections on the skin, in the gums or in the bladder. According to the American Diabetes Association, Type II diabetics may go years without symptoms and suddenly experience a multitude of them. A high-glucose reading when tested is often the only recognizable sign.
Gestational
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse posits that only a small percentage of women get gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes falls under a Type II symptom-wise, yet this condition is generally temporary and occurs in women carrying large babies, with a family history, and are already considered to be overweight. Other predominant factors include being over the age of 25, a history of gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies, or ethic backgrounds of African, Asian, Native or Pacific Islander decent.
About this Author
Robin Wood-Moen holds an M.Sc. in psychology and is currently working on a Ph.D. in health psychology from Walden University. She is an academic researcher and professional writer in health psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, religion/spirituality, bereavement, death/dying, meaning-making processes, and CAM therapies.
