diabetes symptoms: blurry vision, always thirsty and tired
diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases in which the body is unable to produce its own insulin or properly process the insulin it does produce.
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roughly 11.7 million canadians are currently living with prediabetes or diabetes. getty
diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases in which the body is unable to produce its own insulin or properly process the insulin it does produce. insulin is a hormone created in the pancreas that helps the body control the amount of sugar (or glucose) in the bloodstream. glucose plays a vital role in human health by providing an energy source for the cells that make up the body’s muscles and tissues. if there is too much or too little glucose in the bloodstream, serious health issues can occur.
there are three main types of diabetes, according to diabetes canada: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. type 1 (also known as insulin-dependent diabetes) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause in which the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas, preventing it from producing insulin. this form of the disease, which comprises around 10 per cent of all cases of diabetes, usually develops at an early age and requires patients to inject insulin or use an insulin pump to regulate the amount of sugar in their blood.
type 2, which makes up most of the remaining 90 per cent of diagnoses, occurs when a person’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin or their body is unable to use the insulin it does produce. this form of the disease, which usually develops in adulthood, can often be controlled through lifestyle changes but medication may also be required.
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gestational diabetes is a temporary form of the disease that is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. it is estimated that between three and 20 per cent of pregnant women experience the condition during the second or third trimester with symptoms abating shortly after giving birth. gestational diabetes raises the risk of a mother or her child developing another form of the disease later in life.
prediabetes is a serious health condition where a person’s blood sugar level is elevated but not quite to the level that a diabetes diagnosis can be made. it is estimated that around one in four people with prediabetes are eventually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
diabetes symptoms
signs of diabetes vary from patient to patient depending on the amount of sugar in their bloodstream, but symptoms of types 1 and 2 of the disease typically include:
- unusual thirst
- extreme hunger
- fatigue
- irritability
- blurred vision
- frequent thirst
- slow-healing bruises or sores
- unexpected weight loss or gain
- frequent infections
there are also a number of long-term complications that can arise as a result of having high blood sugar, including kidney disease, eye disease, foot and leg problems, nerve damage, anxiety, heart attack and stroke, erectile dysfunction and amputation.
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how is diabetes diagnosed?
according to the public health agency of canada, diabetes is usually confirmed by a blood test — known as an a1c test — that measures the average amount of sugar in the bloodstream over the previous two to three months. if this test is inconsistent or unavailable, other tests may be used, including:
- a random blood sugar test. this test determines the likely presence of the disease regardless of when food was last consumed.
- fasting blood sugar test. blood is taken for analysis after a night of fasting.
- oral glucose tolerance test. a person fasts for at least eight hours before being given a sweet drink that contains 75 grams of glucose. blood sugar is then measured in hourly intervals.
if type 1 diabetes is suspected, urine tests may be used to search for a byproduct that is produced when the body doesn’t have enough insulin and begins to burn muscle and fat tissue for energy. patients at high or average risk for gestational diabetes may be screened or tested for the disease early in the course of pregnancy.
diabetes treatment
addressing all forms of diabetes involves maintaining a healthy weight and adhering to an exercise program. according to the mayo clinic, this includes eating healthy and staying active.
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there is no specific diet for diabetes patients but a healthy menu should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. foods that are high in nutrition and fibre should be featured while those that are low in fat and calories should be avoided. saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and sweet foods should also be excluded.
exercise is important for everyone, but vital for people with diabetes as it lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream and increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. thirty minutes of aerobic exercise a day — or 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week — is recommended.
although type 2 diabetes is largely managed through lifestyle changes, type 1 diabetes (and some cases of type 1 and gestational diabetes) requires patients to continuously monitor their blood sugar levels and inject insulin or use an insulin pump to ensure these levels remain under control. some other oral or injectable medications may also be prescribed to help stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin or control other aspects of the disease.
pregnant women with gestational diabetes should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and monitor their blood sugar levels to avoid complications during childbirth. people with prediabetes can lower their risk of developing a full blown case of the disease by making healthy lifestyle choices.
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how is diabetes prevented?
there are five steps that lower the risk of a diabetes diagnosis: maintaining a healthy weight; eating a healthy, balanced diet; exercising regularly; quitting smoking; and staying on top of your health.
how many people have diabetes?
roughly 11.7 million canadians are currently living with prediabetes or diabetes. around 5.7 million have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. prevalence of the disease continues to trend upwards, and at its current rate, treating patients costs the country around $30-billion every year.
support and resources for people living with diabetes
diabetes canada offers resources for learning more about the disease, including what to expect, how to find support and the status of the latest research efforts toward finding a cure.
dave yasvinski is a writer with healthing.
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