Diabetes affects over 23 million people in the U.S., according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and nearly 6 million of those who have the disease remain undiagnosed. Diabetes is caused by a problem of metabolism, which is the process of food breakdown and use in the body. In diabetes, the conversion of blood sugar from ingested food into energy by the hormone insulin doesn't work properly because of either a defect in insulin production or an inability of the body to use insulin. Diabetes is incurable and can cause severe complications if left untreated. Type 1 diabetes usually strikes in childhood and requires insulin injections to treat, while type 2 can develop at any age and may be controlled through lifestyle changes. Recognizing the signs of diabetes can help lead to a definitive diagnosis and allow development of an appropriate treatment plan.
Symptoms
Some diabetics may be asymptomatic, especially in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms occur, they typically include frequent urination, extreme thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, irritability and unexplained weight loss, according to the American Diabetes Association. For type 2 diabetes, additional symptoms include bruises that heal slowly, blurry vision, drowsiness, tingling hands or feet and recurrent infections such as skin infections and vaginal yeast infections.
Blood Sugar Levels
Blood sugar levels of a diabetic are much higher than normal levels. Diabetes is indicated if blood glucose levels are above 126 milligrams per deciliter after an 8-hour fast, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Alternately, a test given two hours after drinking a glucose solution containing 75 grams of sugar that reads 200 milligrams per deciliter or higher can also indicate diabetes. In the presence of diabetes symptoms, a random reading over 200 milligrams per deciliter may also be a diagnostic indicator of the disease.
Diagnosis and Monitoring
A diagnosis of diabetes usually comes from a blood test conducted in a doctor's office. Home blood glucose monitors can be used to keep track of blood sugar levels and indicate whether a particular course of treatment is keeping the person's diabetes under control.
Risk Factors
Some people are more prone to diabetes than others and should be on the lookout for diabetes symptoms to diagnose the disease before it gets too severe. Obesity, poor fitness, being older than 45 and a previous incidence of gestational diabetes during pregnancy can all be risk factors. Also, individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds are more likely to develop diabetes, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans.
Prediabetes
Some individuals develop prediabetes before they develop diabetes. In prediabetes, blood sugar levels are above normal but below the level that would indicate diabetes. Sometimes, symptoms of diabetes are present with prediabetes. Often, someone with indications of prediabetes can prevent the development of diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and losing weight.
