Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes

Are you worried about diabetes? Maybe you have some ongoing health problems that you have wondered about, and you’ve wondered if diabetes might be the cause. Research has shown that approximately 179 million people have type two diabetes that has not been diagnosed. If you’re in any doubt about having the condition, it’s vitally important to get yourself checked out. The earlier the condition is recognized, the easier it is to manage your symptoms and prevent complications from occurring.  Diabetes runs in my family, so I’m always on the lookout for symptoms.

Symptoms to look out for

There are several symptoms that may indicate you are suffering from diabetes. Here, we describe the most commonly experienced signs that you might have this illness.

 – Do you need to go to the bathroom much more frequently than usual?
If you find that you need to urinate a lot, particularly during the night, diabetes is a potential cause.

 – Are you so thirsty that you can’t get enough to drink?
This is a warning sign that you should not ignore.

 – Do you feel exhausted?
If you feel tired all the time for no apparent reason, your lethargy could be caused by undiagnosed diabetes.

 – Have you lost weight?
For many of us, especially women, weight loss is seen as a great thing – a stepping stone to looking as good as those celebrities we see in magazines. However, if the pounds are melting away with no effort from you, diabetes could be the cause.

 – Are you itchy?
Feeling itchy, particularly in the genital area, can be an indicator of this illness. If you get recurring bouts of thrush into the bargain – you need to get yourself checked out.

 – Do you have a cut that just isn’t getting better?
In healthy people, cuts and wounds heal quickly, in a matter of days. People who suffer from diabetes can find that cuts take a long time to clear up, due to poor blood circulation.

 – Are you seeing things differently?
A blurring of your vision is one of the key signs that you may have this illness.

 – Are you starving?
People who suffer from type two diabetes can feel really hungry all the time, including when you’ve only just had something to eat.

 – Is your skin acting up?
If you find that you have developed psoriasis, where your skin becomes red, flaky and itchy – and can be very sore to touch, it could be the result of undiagnosed diabetes. Acanthosis nigricans, which causes the folds of the skin to become darker and thicker – is also an indicator for diabetes.

 – Is your blood pressure too high?
High blood pressure and elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your chances of developing diabetes. This is even more likely if you are overweight or obese.

What happens if you don’t get treatment?

Early diagnosis is important to ensure that you don’t suffer from any complications. It is equally important to treat the condition properly so that you can be as healthy as possible to protect yourself and your quality of life for as long as possible. If diabetes is poorly managed, or not treated at all, you could acquire one of the following complications:

Neuropathy literally means nerve pain that can be caused by both diabetes types one and two. It’s caused by elevated blood sugar levels over a long period of time, or. hyperglycaemia The elevated blood sugar can inhibit or destroy blood vessels. Neuropathy can also be the result of high blood pressure, which also causes blood vessels to become unhealthy.

This form of nerve pain appears as a feeling of tingling or burning, and can also manifest as sharp pains that come and go over time. In a severe case of neuropathy, you can suffer from numbness in areas like the hands and feet. Left untreated, this numbness can develop into a condition known as dysesthesia, which causes pain and discomfort when you touch ordinary items in the home. For example, making a cup of tea could send shooting pains into your hands that are difficult to cope with.

Diabetic retinopathy is the deterioration of the eyes as a consequence of diabetes that has not been treated or managed poorly. This condition is the result of high blood glucose levels affecting the blood vessels of the eye. These blood vessels become swollen (known as macular oedema), and can cause fluid to leak into the eyes. Alternatively, unhealthy blood vessels can appear on the retina as a result of high blood glucose levels.

The problem with diabetic retinopathy is that you could be suffering from it and have no idea, as it doesn’t always come with symptoms. However, if you find that your ability to see isn’t what it was, or you experience blurred vision – you could have the condition. Pain in the eyes, seeing spots and seeing double are also warning signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic nephropathy means that your kidneys aren’t functioning properly as a result of having diabetes. This can occur in patients who have both types one and two, and isn’t always obvious until diabetes has been untreated or not managed appropriately for some time. An obvious sign of diabetic nephropathy is having very swollen hands, lower legs, ankles or feet. This is because your body is retaining water due to a decline in the health of your kidneys. You might also notice that your urine is darker, possibly because it contains blood. If you regularly find you are out of breath doing everyday things like going up the stairs, and feel sick and exhausted – you need to get your kidneys screened by a professional.

How do you cope with diabetes?

If you have experienced any of the symptoms or signs of diabetes, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If you do receive a diagnosis, it’s important not to panic – there are lots of things that you can do to manage the condition and keep yourself fit and healthy.

When you first discover that you are diabetic, you will probably experience a range of emotions – from disappointment to anger, and a few more in between. Empower yourself by getting as much information and advice as you can from dedicated professionals; and talk to friends and family about what you are going through. Getting emotional support can be as important as looking after yourself physically, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Having been prescribed treatment program, it is vital to keep on top of your medication. Get organized with prescriptions, and remember you can order your metformin tablets online. Make sure that you get your eyes, hands, feet and nervous system checked regularly by medical professionals – as keeping these in good health can prevent complications from occurring.

Being overweight can make diabetes worse, so try to shift those extra pounds if you can. Whether you’re overweight or not, eating healthily is one of the best ways to manage this illness. Eat a variety of carbohydrates like pasta and potatoes, and include lots of fruit and vegetables. Keep an eye on how much fat, salt and sugar you’re consuming, as these can all make diabetes much more difficult to control.