Signs You Could Be Diabetic
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the US today. It can lead to heart disease, chronic pain and numbness in the extremities, loss of eyesight, and even amputation of toes and feet if not kept under careful control. Early symptoms are often overlooked. Knowing the signs may help you catch diabetes early and prevent long-term cardiovascular damage.
Type I Diabetes
Type I diabetes usually comes on before the patient is an adult. In Type I diabetes, the patient’s pancreas simply stops producing insulin. It can result from heredity, infection, or pancreas injury. Typically symptoms are far more severe and develop more quickly than in patients with Type II diabetes. Symptoms when diabetic may include rapid weight loss, lethargy, dehydration, and a significant increase in urination.
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is far more common than Type I in adults. It may be caused by heredity, the strain excess weight puts on the body or poor eating habits. Type II diabetes symptoms may come on more slowly and be less noticeable at first than the symptoms of Type I. They may include:
- Frequent urination
- Chronic, insatiable hunger that returns even after eating
- Insatiable thirst
- Dry, itchy, flaky skin due to dehydration
- Blurring vision
- Sudden weight loss unrelated to diet or exercise
- Unexplained fatigue and lethargy
- Slow healing of cuts or bruises
- Gum disease
Factors that Contribute to Diabetes
Certain factors can influence your chances of becoming diabetic. While Type II diabetes is often connected with being overweight, genetics also play a large part. If a parent or sibling is diabetic, you may be at a greater risk. Other factors include ethnic background- Hispanics and Latino Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Alaskan Natives are all ethnic groups that are prone to diabetes.
Gestational diabetes (developing diabetes while pregnant) may indicate you’re at higher risk for developing Type II diabetes later on. Exercising less than 3 times a week may increase your risk factor, so be sure to get plenty of exercise.
If you suspect you or a loved one is diabetic, make an appointment immediately for testing. Treatments and changes in lifestyle and diet can not only prevent the damage from the disease, in some cases but Type II can also even be reversed.
Call Dr. Ciuffo today for your appointment, and ask your doctor about ways you can mitigate your risk factors for diabetes.
