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Detailed Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a very common health problem, which affects many humans. According to the American Diabetes Association, in the United States alone, there are 23.6 million people who suffer diabetes. This figure represents about 6 percent of the American population. Many people with diabetes often may not know they have the disease, and such cases remain undiagnosed and are not reflected in the above data. There are many symptoms for diabetes, many of the diabetes symptoms are the same in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

  1. What is Diabetes

    • Diabetes is defined as the inability of the human body to handle sugar (glucose) by breaking it down through digestion and absorption methods. There are two kinds of diabetes; one is the called type 1 diabetes, and the second one is called type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is totally dependent on insulin, while type 2 diabetes is non-insulin dependent. Type 2 diabetes is mostly common among older people and overweight persons. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by dietary means.

    Frequent Thirst for Water

    • Frequent thirst for water is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes. Individuals suffering from diabetes often have severe, unusual and unquenchable thirst for water. The explanation for this symptom is that persons suffering from diabetes have too much glucose in their blood and not as much in the cells in their body. This results in more water being pulled out of their blood, leading to body dehydration, which in turn necessitates their constant appetite for more water drinking.

    Frequent Urination

    • Diabetes sufferers have another symptom of frequent urination. This problem is related to the “thirst for water” problem. Since there is too much glucose in their blood because of insulin deficiency, it creates a problem for their kidneys. The kidneys are unable to filter glucose and return it to their blood stream. This creates more need to draw extra water out of the blood. The water being constantly drawn from the blood fills their bladder up with urine. They must therefore make frequent trips to the bathroom to empty their urinary bladder.

    Body Fatigue and Weakness

    • Diabetic persons also tend to be tired often and experience general body fatigue without cause. This problem is again related to excessive glucose in their blood. Due to lack of sufficient insulin, the glucose in their blood is not being broken down and converted to energy. When this process is not happening, the cells of our body are unable to produce energy which all humans need to live. Since the glucose is not broken down and transitioned to energy, it stays in the blood stream and the cells are starved of energy, and the diabetic person feels tired and weak all the time.

    Numbness in Hands, Leg and Feet

    • The diabetic person may also feel numbness in their hands, feet or leg. This problem is called “neuropathy.” It may take time before the diabetic person develops this symptom. Neuropathy is more common with type 2 diabetes cases. The explanation for this is that the type 2 diabetes is often undiagnosed in people who carry the disease. Consequently, it may take many years before such persons seek help. At that stage, much of the nerve damage has been done. The good news with this symptom is that it may go away when stronger blood sugar control is again established in the individual.

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