Signs Of Diabetes In Youths And Adults
Many people who have diabetes do not know that they have it, making it a serious problem. The American Diabetes Association claims that more than 16 million Americans currently suffer from the condition. Diabetics not only suffer from the disease itself, but can also suffer from its complications, which include heart attack, stroke, renal (kidney) failure, and the need for amputations. Sometimes death can also be a complication. It is estimated that almost 170,000 Americans die a year from the disease.
People who suffer from diabetes either have insensitivity to the body's insulin or are unable to produce enough insulin. Ordinarily, when we eat food, our body breaks it down into a sugar called glucose. Insulin helps glucose get into the body's cells, where it is used as energy. When the body is insensitive or not producing enough insulin, glucose cannot get into the cells. Consequently, it builds up in the bloodstream, where, over time, it can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels and nerves.
The good news is that diabetes, while not curable, can be treated. With early diagnosis, many of its complications can be avoided. That's why it's so important to recognize signs of diabetes. There are three types of diabetes- Type I usually affects children and young adults. Type 2 ordinarily affects adults over 45 and Gestational diabetes develops in women during pregnancy.
About 95% of people who have diabetes have the most common form, known as type II. Even if you are not showing unmistakable diabetes signs of any sort, if you suspect that you or someone in your family is showing signs of diabetes, you should consult a physician.
Extreme thirst, occasioned bluely vision, frequent urination, unusual drowsiness, unexplained weight loss are some signs of diabetes. Diabetes can develop in anyone, but it is more common in Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans. You are at risk if you are carrying 20 percent more weight than normal for your height and sex, if you get little or no exercise in a usual day, if you have a parent with diabetes, if you are a woman who has had a baby that weighed more then 9 pounds at birth and if you are over 45 years of age.
Restlessness, apathy and problems functioning at school are signs of juvenile diabetes. There are some severe cases, however, where a diabetic coma may be the first ever sign of the disease. There are a variety of juvenile diabetes symptoms, including; weight loss (at times dramatic), unusual thirst for sweet or cold drinks, hunger beyond normal hunger, weakness, feeling of tiredness, vision changes irritability, extremely frequent urination (which can manifest as recurrent bed wetting for younger children) and stomach upset.
Many people who have diabetes do not know that they have it, making it a serious problem. It is estimated that almost 170,000 Americans die a year from the disease. Therefore, it is critical to recognize signs of diabetes as soon as they appear. There are some severe cases, however, where a diabetic coma may be the first of the diabetes signs. There are a variety of juvenile diabetes symptoms, including; weight loss (at times dramatic), unusual thirst for sweet or cold drinks, hunger beyond normal hunger, weakness, feeling of tiredness, vision changes irritability, extremely frequent urination.
Published February 26th, 2008
Filed in Family
