There are distinctive signs and symptoms that usually precede a diabetes diagnosis. If you are unsure of whether your symptoms could be due to diabetes, consult with a physician immediately to discuss your diabetes symptoms. Your physician will most likely have you come into the clinic for some testing.

Diabetes can be fatal if left untreated. There are several warning signs to watch for if you suspect you may be suffering from diabetes. Some of these symptoms are very subtle and others are fairly harsh. Several of these symptoms can also be caused by other ailments. Thus, many people ignore them because they figure the symptoms are being caused by something fairly simple. If you start having symptoms and they continue or you notice the same types of symptoms coming and going often, be sure to consult your physician immediately.

 

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

 

According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association) some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Difficulty catching your breath
  • Rapid breathing
  • Rapid pulse
  • Unexplained sweating
  • Distinct fruity breath odor
  • Distinct fruity urine smell

 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you will need to be seen by a physician to have your blood sugar levels tested and to have your urine tested to see if you are “spilling” sugar or ketones into the urine.

 

Diabetes Signs and Symptoms in Pregnancy

 

Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize the symptoms as something other than pregnancy related, because pregnant women often times have similar symptoms just because they are pregnant. Symptoms of diabetes in pregnancy are essentially the same as the signs and symptoms of diabetes in any other person. Most women just don’t recognize the signs of diabetes because these symptoms are normal occurrences during pregnancy regardless of the presence of diabetes. I mean really, how many times a day can a woman go to the bathroom, right? It seems like a woman with a normal bladder who uses the bathroom a few times a day when she is not pregnant suddenly has to go to the bathroom every hour when carrying a baby.

Pregnant women also tend to be thirstier than they were before pregnancy. Dizziness is not uncommon during pregnancy and neither are faster respiration rates and faster heart rates.

As you can see, it can be tricky to differentiate between these being normal “symptoms” of pregnancy or signs of gestational diabetes.

Physicians typically require a lab test around 24 weeks gestation to test for gestational diabetes. This test requires that the pregnant woman drink a sugary beverage, much like soda pop, and then they draw blood to check the sugar levels in the blood. This test is used to determine whether or not a woman has gestational diabetes.

It is imperative that women with gestational diabetes follow physician recommendations because this condition not only affects the mother; it also affects the unborn child.

 

Diabetes 2 Symptoms versus Diabetes 1 Symptoms

 

The symptoms for both types of diabetes are essentially the same. The symptoms are caused by elevated blood sugar levels and imbalanced hormone levels. This occurs with both types of diabetes.

The difference often times is not in the symptoms but in the age of the patient when the symptoms begin, and the age of the patient when the subsequent diagnosis is made.

Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependent or juvenile onset, occurs when the pancreas in the body does not produce the insulin hormone necessary to metabolize sugar. Kids diabetes symptoms often times occur with type 1. This condition is usually diagnosed at a young age, usually before a child hits puberty. If you notice these symptoms in your child, have him or her tested right away. This condition could be life threatening if left untreated.

Type 2 diabetes, also know as adult onset or insulin resistant, occurs when the body is unable to properly utilize insulin to metabolize blood sugar. The symptoms of diabetes type 2 are the same as those listed above. Again, if you are experiencing these symptoms contact your doctor immediately.

Regardless of the resulting diagnosis, if you are having any diabetes symptoms it is important to get evaluated quickly. Diabetes can be controlled and you can live a healthy and active life with it. However, the results of untreated diabetes can be severe.

 

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