Symptoms of Diabetes

Symptoms of Diabetes

Affecting an estimated 23 millions Americans, type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by excessively high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. This occurs when the pancreas—the gland responsible for making insulin—is not producing enough. Insulin is the hormone that delivers sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, where it is then used for energy.

What follows is a list of symptoms of diabetes as well as treatment options and lifestyle tips that can help those with both diabetes types live a healthier life. For additional information, you can visit our comprehensive overview pages that cover symptoms of diabetes and more.

Diabetes Types: Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes falls into two types, referred to as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both types may appear similar in terms of symptoms of diabetes. Still, there are very distinct differences in terms of causes, severity, treatment options, and management practices.

Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which certain proteins called antibodies destroy the cells that make insulin in the pancreas. While it is the less common of the two types (affecting only 5-10% of the population), it is the more severe type of diabetes. More common in children and young adults, type 1 diabetes used to be referred to as juvenile onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and hunger
• More frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Unexplained weight loss

Type 2 Diabetes. Representing 90-95% of reported cases, type 2 diabetes is, by far, the more prevalent form of diabetes. It is also the type that is easier to control through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. With increases in obesity among children, the growth rate of type 2 diabetes is rising significantly among that population. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• More frequent urination
• Frequent yeast infections
• Slow healing of sores or abrasions
• Upset stomach and persistent nausea
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Unexplained weight loss

Treatment Options for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diet and exercise are key factors that all individuals with diabetes can control. More on those topics will be covered in the next section, Managing Symptoms of Diabetes: Lifestyle Tips. Other treatment options also need to be addressed, and these can vary depending on whether the individual has type 1 or type 2 diabetes and to what degree the disease affects one’s health. Here are some basic options; you can find more detailed information at our diabetes overview page.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment Options. Because they lack insulin, those with type 1 diabetes must take insulin, usually different types of insulin and multiple time throughout the day. Those with type 1 diabetes should:

• Take their insulin regularly, whether they feel like they need it or not.
• Speak with their doctor about their meal schedule so the optimal insulin schedule can be created.
• Adhere to the meal schedule to prevent blood sugar drops from a lack of sugar intake to balance intake of insulin.
• Check glucose levels regularly.
• Never share needles and always travel with their own.
• Keep additional insulin in reserve and store it in a dark, cool place.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options. Those with type 2 diabetes are better positioned to control blood sugar fluctuations through diet, exercise, and the administration of an oral antidiabetic, such as sulfonylurea, metformin, thiazolidinedione, and DPP-4 inhibitors. Those with type 2 diabetes who take insulin should:

• Know their medical schedule and stick to it.
• Understand the interaction of insulin with eating and exercise.
• Lose weight if they are currently overweight, as losing weight helps to lower blood sugar levels sometimes to the point where taking insulin is no longer even necessary.

You can find more detailed information regarding type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatment on our diabetes treatment options page.

Managing Symptoms of Diabetes: Lifestyle Tips

Because diabetes can affect every part of a person’s life, the ability to make lifestyle changes that address your body’s needs is crucial for optimal health. The importance of proper insulin use has already been addressed, but there are a number of other lifestyle behaviors that should also be addressed.

Nutrition. Neither type 1 nor type 2 diabetes requires any type of special food. Those with diabetes can establish nutritional balance with the same foods as everyone else. There are certain choices that are better for those with both diabetes types, such as:

• Low sodium and low fat foods
• High fiber foods, especially fruits and vegetables
• A balance of food from all four food groups
• Portion control – as weight loss can make type 2 diabetes easier to predict and control

Alcohol Intake. Alcohol Intake. The liver is the organ responsible for both filtering alcohol from the bloodstream and controlling the release of glucose into the blood stream. When you are consuming alcohol, the liver’s priority is to first clear the alcohol from the system, then release the glucose. If you are taking insulin, then, you run the risk of low blood sugar, as there may not be enough glucose being released to balance the insulin. It is for this reason, also, that those with diabetes should never drink in excess on an empty stomach.

Tobacco Use. Two of the most serious and most common complications from diabetes are heart disease and blood vessel disease. Smoking increases these risk factors considerably. Quite simply, if you have diabetes and you smoke, you should stop.

Physical Activity. As with any exercise regimen, it is important that you consult your doctor first. This is even more important if you have diabetes and are taking insulin. The benefits of regular physical activity, however, can make living with both diabetes types much easier and more predictable. The benefits of regular exercise include:

• It assists insulin to better lower blood sugar levels.
• It helps prevent weight gain that can complicate diabetes.
• It helps keep heart, lungs, and blood vessels healthier.
• It provides higher energy levels and reduces the impact of symptoms of diabetes naturally.

The Hormone Society is a leading online resource created to help those dealing with the symptoms of diabetes and other hormone-related diseases. If you would like to learn more about The Hormone Foundation and the information we provide, contact us today.

Editors:

Abbas Kitabchi, MD

Guillermo Umpierrez, MD

March 2008

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