Symptoms and Causes of Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-lasting illness that occurs when your body fails to properly control the level of blood sugar (glucose). Frequent urination, thirst, fatigue and blurred vision are the most common symptoms. Its primary causes are insufficient insulin production in the body (Type 1 diabetes) or inability of the body to react to insulin (Type 2 diabetes).
We will focus more on these symptoms and reasons in this article, including the types of diabetes, what triggers each diabetes type, and how to identify early warning signs.
Understanding Diabetes at a Glance
Diabetes impairs the way your body uses glucose, a very important source of energy. Insulin is a hormone released by your pancreas and it assists you in getting glucose in your cells out of your blood. The process fails to work in diabetes, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes has three major categories:
- Type 1 Diabetes: There is no insulin produced in the body.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin fails to work as the body should react to it.
- Gestational Diabetes: It is seen in pregnancy and normally subsides just after giving birth to the child.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes may build up over time or strike all at once. They are either mild and easy to disregard, or more pronounced.
Frequent Urination (Polyuria)
Exceptionally high amounts of sugar in the blood make your kidneys go into overtime trying to eliminate excess sugar in waste. Consequently, you can experience increased urination especially at night.
Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)
That urination results in dehydration, which gives rise to extreme thirst. You might have a desire to drink water all the time, but still, you feel that your mouth is dry.
Fatigue
When your cells are unable to absorb glucose to burn as a source of energy, you end up feeling unusually fatigued and lethargic even when you have had a proper night of sleep.
Unexplained Weight Loss
The absence of insulin, especially in Type 1 diabetes, initiates the process that leads to using muscle tissue and fat as a source of energy. This may lead to unintended weight loss.
Blurred Vision
When the sugar level in your blood becomes high, it may cause the flow of fluid to be pulled out of the lens of your eyes, and this will hamper your capability to focus clearly.
Slow Healing Wounds
Slowly healing cuts and bruises could be an indication of poor blood flow and nerve damage which are effects of high blood sugar.
Tingling or Numbness in Hands and Feet
This is referred to as diabetic neuropathy and is usually a manifestation of long-term Type 2 diabetes.
Increased Hunger (Polyphagia)
Although you eat more, you might be hungry all the time since the body finds it difficult to utilize glucose.
Less Common Symptoms
They can either be present in some individuals or type-specific in regards to diabetes:
- More frequent infections: More likely to have gum, skin or vaginal infections.
- Dark coloured skin spots (Acanthosis Nigricans): Common in individuals who have resistance to insulin.
- Mood swings or anger
- Fruity odour of the breath: One of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, a characteristic of Type 1
Causes of Diabetes
The causes of diabetes vary depending on the type. We are going to analyse what causes each below.
Type 1 Diabetes – Autoimmune Origin
Cause:
Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system of the body wrongly attacks and kills the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas.
What triggers it?
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental causes (e.g. viral infections)
- Family history
It usually appears during childhood or adolescence, though adults may also contract it (known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults aka LADA).
Type 2 Diabetes – Lifestyle & Genetics
Cause:
In Type 2 diabetes, the body develops resistance to insulin and the pancreas fails to produce enough to match the insulin demands.
Major risk factors include:
- Overweight and obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy food (sugary food, processed foods)
- Hereditary diabetes
- Age more than 45
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Background of gestational diabetes
In contrast to Type 1, Type 2 may be prevented or postponed with lifestyle changes.
Gestational Diabetes – Hormonal Shifts During Pregnancy
Cause:
It can decrease sensitivity of cellular response to insulin due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. The pancreas tends to adjust itself and in the case that the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin, the levels of sugar in the blood increase.
Risk factors:
- Pre-pregnancy obesity
- Genetics of Type 2 diabetes in the family
- Above the age of 25
- Previously given birth to a child weighing more than 9 lbs
The condition is usually taken care of after birth, but gestational diabetes predisposes contracting diabetes Type 2 at later stages in life.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Although anyone can get diabetes, it is more likely to happen to you when:
- Your family has a history of diabetes.
- You are obese or overweight.
- You have a sedentary lifestyle.
- You belong to some ethnic groups (e.g. South Asian, African, Hispanic).
- You have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
- You are above the age of 45.
Symptom awareness is key to early detection, which in turn can lead to much more positive results.
How to Take Action Early
With the knowledge of symptoms and causes, you have the capability of acting early. Get your blood sugar tested, in case you develop one or more of the common symptoms, especially when compounded with others. Early diagnosis will assist in the prevention of long-term complications, which include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Vision loss
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
Conclusion
Diabetes is a complicated disease, but it is treatable- and most likely so with early diagnosis and lifestyle modifications. The symptoms such as frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision could be recognized to enable you to seek assistance early. Knowing the causes, be they autoimmune, genetic or lifestyle-induced, will strengthen your hand to make an informed choice in terms of prevention or control.
When you notice some signs of diabetes in you or your loved one, do not overlook them. Talk to your doctor, be tested, and take your health into your own hands.
This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional and personalized medical advice. Always seek diagnosis and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider, which is specific to your own case.
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To learn more about Diabetes, check out our other related blogs:
Diabetes – What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types
Diabetes and your eyes – what you need to know
Diabetes Diet – Create your healthy eating plan
6 Natural ways to prevent Diabetes before it starts
