Tuesday, June 9, 2009

It Pays to Be Aware of Diabetes Symptoms


Author: Bessie Johns

Doctors and other medical sources have classified diabetes into type I and type II, as a means of better determining avenues for diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Approximately 10 percent of diabetics in the United States are diagnosed with type I, while about 90 percent of them fall under the type II category. The symptoms of each category are similar in some aspects, but they differ in the corresponding treatments. Here is some basic info on each type of diabetes.

Type I diabetes is also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes by most medical sources. When the pancreas is unable to produce the needed amounts of insulin for glucose metabolism, the levels of unused glucose are high in the blood. To remedy this problem, external sources of the hormone insulin are used to supplement what is not present in the body. People with this type of diabetes regularly have to take insulin shots.

The symptoms of type I diabetes include excessive and frequent feelings of thirst, and in children, this may be apparent when they constantly ask for cold and sweet beverages. Frequent urination is also a tell-tale sign of diabetes. Along with that, the person always feels fatigued, hungry, and has sudden weight loss. He may also be irritable and nauseous. Those who are at risk for type I diabetes are obese persons, and when there is a history of diabetes in the family.

Type II diabetes does not require the regular administration of insulin shots, because the pancreas has normal production of the hormone. However, glucose levels in the blood of patients are still high because the cells that should be metabolizing the sugar are insensitive to insulin. Because of this, drugs have been developed to make cells responsive to insulin, and at the same time, help lower the glucose levels in the blood.

According to sources, while some symptoms of type I diabetes are found in type II patients, there are still other signs that need to be wary of such as gum problems, itching, blurred vision, and some tingling feelings in the arms and legs. For men, erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign. For women, yeast and other fungal infections may be symptoms of type II diabetes.

About the Author

Bessie Johns is an avid researcher for diabetes treatments and medications that will help manage the disease, and runs a successful website dedicated to help diabetics at http://www.diabetesreview1.com

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