One of the most common types of health problems that adult patients experience is the lack of insulin production or diabetes. This condition can be passed down to family members, which makes them at higher risk of developing diabetes. In that case, if you are one of those people, it is crucial for you to prepare to lower the risk of complications. With that, it’s best to begin with knowing the common symptoms of diabetes, and how to verify these warning signs early. Let’s begin!
Diabetes as A Chronic Health Condition
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus occurs when there is a high blood sugar level. When there is no enough insulin produced by the pancreas, it results in diabetes. Thus, making it one of the major causes of diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes is a lifelong condition making it crucial for people to detect it early, and undergo diabetes management. One way to detect it initially is through recognizing the symptoms of diabetes.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Diabetes presents itself through a range of symptoms that vary depending on the type of diabetes and the individual. Early detection is key to preventing severe health issues. Here are the most common symptoms of diabetes:
- Frequent urination (polyuria)
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Extreme hunger (polyphagia)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing wounds
- Dry mouth and skin
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- Recurrent infections
Types of Diabetes and Their Specific Symptoms
Understanding the different forms of diabetes can help in recognizing specific symptoms of the different types of diabetes. Let’s discuss them below!
Type 1 Diabetes
This form of diabetes is an autoimmune disease because it attacks the immune system of the patient. If you have this type of diabetes, you have a lack of insulin as it attacks the cells in the pancreas that produces it. Healthcare providers commonly diagnose children to young adults, but it can still be developed by all ages. Remember that this type of diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes. That’s why it’s best to undergo a diabetes prevention program immediately after being diagnosed with this condition.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes (Sudden onset of symptoms):
- Severe thirst and hunger
- Rapid weight loss
- Frequent urination
Type 2 Diabetes
Meanwhile, people commonly suffer from type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance. Insulin is vital to your body as it helps regulate the blood sugar levels or blood glucose level. That way, it can be turned into energy for the body. However, with insulin resistance, the blood retains its glucose. Take note that, this type of diabetes can lead to hyperglycemia due to not breaking down of insulin.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes (Symptoms develop slowly):
- Increased hunger and thirst
- Blurred vision
- Persistent fatigue
Gestational Diabetes
Meanwhile, diabetes risk can also occur during pregnancy, which is what we call gestational diabetes. It can occur during weeks of pregnancy due to the placenta hormones placenta hindering the use of insulin. With high blood glucose levels in the body, pregnant women can develop gestational diabetes. This condition only lasts during pregnancy, but precaution is needed as there’s an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes (Often no symptoms):
- May experience increased thirst and urination
- Detected during pregnancy screenings
Read a related article about diabetes symptoms in females.
Risk Factors That Increase Your Chances of Developing Diabetes
As mentioned, the common reason for developing diabetes is due to not having enough insulin in the body. However, other factors can also contribute to this matter.
These are the diabetes risk factors:
- Family history of types of diabetes
- Obesity or being overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Unhealthy diet
- High blood pressure
- Age (risk increases with age)
- History of gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
While these factors only contribute to the increase in developing the disease, it’s still crucial to be mindful of your health. However, if you think you might be a high risk individual for developing diabetes, you might want to recognize symptoms as early as possible.
Diagnostic Tests to Confirm Diabetes
If you experience symptoms of diabetes, it’s essential to undergo diagnostic tests to verify your blood sugar levels. Common tests include:
Fasting Blood Glucose Test
One of the most common tests that you must know is the fasting blood glucose tests. It involves not eating and drinking for a certain amount of time to determine the normal range of your blood sugar level. This technique is crucial as food can spike up the sugar levels. It is commonly done by visiting a testing facility or hospital laboratory.
Random Blood Sugar Test
Another diagnostic test for checking blood sugar levels is a random blood sugar test. It is a common test that can be done any time of the day. Please take note that the best time for taking this test is when you feel you have low blood sugar levels. This helps you determine how low or high your blood sugar levels become.
HbA1c Test (Glycated Hemoglobin Test)
Lastly, the glycated hemoglobin test is also an option, especially if you want to check your blood sugar levels every 2-3 months. If the test shows a high level of hemoglobin, it must be addressed immediately. Commonly, it can trigger health complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, and many others. Take note that this test is crucial for detecting severe forms of diabetes like type 2 diabetes.
When to Consult an Endocrinologist in the Philippines
Due to the possible risk of developing diabetes, you should be eager to know your current health status. In that case, if you notice some symptoms of diabetes during your current health state, it’s best to seek guidance with an endocrinologist immediately.
Consultation with an endocrinologist helps you to understand diabetes early signs and threats. Furthermore, this connection allows you to begin treatment for diabetes prevention. Thus making it easier to begin managing diabetes.
How to Book An Endocrinologist Near Me
If you need guidance about understanding your symptoms, and want to know which diabetes test to take, using healthcare platforms like NowServing can help. NowServing is a Philippine-based healthcare platform that offers seamless communication between doctors and patients. Thus, allowing patients like diabetes patients to consult endocrinologists easily.
Here’s how you can schedule a consultation:
- Tap the link to view the list of endocrinologists in the Philippines.
- Choose your preferred doctor by clicking the “Book Appointment” option.
- Select if you are an old or new patient of the doctor.
- Provide the necessary details to continue the booking process.
- Wait for the confirmed schedule of your appointment.
Aside from that, you can also browse doctors by location and hospitals. In short, your preference is catered by NowServing to help you meet with your preferred doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can symptoms of diabetes appear suddenly?
Yes, especially in type 1 diabetes, symptoms can develop quickly within days or weeks. This type is the most common form of diabetes, which makes it crucial to monitor. If you believe that your current symptoms align with type 1 diabetes, it’s best to seek an endocrinologist immediately.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
A person with diabetes can be diagnosed only by a doctor. Although some people tend to self-diagnose due to observing their symptoms, it is still ideal to seek confirmation from a doctor. Typically, the doctor will request you to undergo some diagnostic tests to determine your blood sugar levels. Combined with the test results and physical assessment, the doctor will derive a final diagnosis and determine if you have diabetes.
Can lifestyle changes help prevent diabetes?
While a preventive measure like taking oral diabetes medication is laid, other techniques are also crucial to help manage diabetes symptoms. One factor to focus on is healthy diet and lifestyle choices. Avoiding some food for consumption can help lower high glucose. Furthermore, exercising regularly and monitoring your blood sugar daily can reduce health complications.
Conclusion
Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes early can significantly improve your quality of life. If you suspect you might have diabetes, consult an endocrinologist through NowServing to get the medical attention you need. Take charge of your health today!
