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Adult Diabetic Symptoms

According to the National Diabetes Education Program, 24 million Americans have diabetes and 57 million Americans, over the age of 20, have pre-diabetes. As Americans continue to eat more and gain weight, obesity continues to rise, as well as adult-onset diabetes. Some live for years and are unaware that they have the disease. Knowing the symptoms is the first step in controlling the disease.

  1. Identification

    • Adult diabetes is also called Type 2 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, adult-onset diabetes, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic condition, which affects how the body processes sugar or glucose. The body resists the hormone (insulin) needed to absorb sugar into the cells. The result is high levels of sugar in the blood that enter the urine. Diabetes affects the way the body handles carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The most common cause of adult diabetes is a diet high in simple carbohydrates.

    Risks

    • Certain races are more apt to develop adult diabetes. Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian Americans are more prone to the disease. Excess weight is a direct factor of adult diabetes as well as inactivity. The risk for diabetes increases after the age of 45.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of adult diabetes are many and often go undetected. Frequent urination, extreme thirst, hunger, weight loss, fatigue and blurring vision are a few symptoms. For men, impotence is a possible indicator. In addition, injuries that heal slowly are another indicator.

    Effects

    • Thirst is the result of the body signaling for more water to dilute the high blood sugar. With the excess thirst comes excess urination. Lack of insulin to move sugar into the cells causes a depletion of muscle energy and an increase in hunger. Muscles shrink, causing weight loss. The body is unable to use the glucose for energy, so it metabolizes fat, causing use of energy. The result is fatigue. Blurred vision results from lack of fluid in the lenses. High blood sugar prevents white blood cells, which fight infection. The result is slow healing.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If any of these Type 2 adult symptoms are present, consult a doctor. There are also routine screenings available. If diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the first step is stabilizing the blood sugar through diet and possible medication. Checkups are essential. Random blood tests at any time of day indicate diabetes if blood sugar is more than 200 milligrams per deciliter. An overnight fasting blood sugar test that is above 126 mg/dL indicates diabetes.

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