Diabetes is a disease that all too often goes undetected because the symptoms are either so mild or common to other problems. Because of this, many people walk around with diabetes without even knowing it until they finally go to the doctor for a blood and urine test. This article is going to review the most common symptoms of diabetes so that you’re alerted to what to look out for. The sooner your diabetes is diagnosed, the quicker you can receive treatment.
Probably the most common symptom of diabetes is extreme thirst. The reason for this is that the kidneys of a diabetic spill excessive levels of glucose into the urine which results in taking more water with it. That’s why diabetics are so thirsty, because they are losing more water than non diabetics.
Another common symptom of diabetes is frequent urination. This is also caused by the same problem as above. Diabetics usually wake up many times during the night. Diabetics have a difficult time taking long trips because of this urination problem.
Another common symptom of diabetes is extreme hunger. This is caused by the body not producing enough insulin, which is needed for glucose to enter our cells. Because our cells don’t get enough glucose, which gives us our energy, we are constantly hungry. This same problem also causes fatigue and weight loss as well.
Another common symptom of diabetes is headache. The reason diabetics get headaches frequently is because our brain cells need a constant supply of energy, which they are not getting because not enough glucose is getting into our cells. This also tends to make diabetics nervous and irritable.
Another very common problem of diabetes is blurred vision, which can ultimately lead to blindness if your diabetes isn’t kept in check. The reason for the blurred vision is because of the high levels of glucose in the cells. This damages the cells and causes them to leak. This makes the retina bleed and swell, which is what causes the blurred vision.
There are many more symptoms of diabetes such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, skin infections, impotence, wounds that take a long time to heal, no tolerance to cold, itching, numbness in fingers and toes, heart palpitations and excessive perspiration.
Because many of these symptoms can occur with other diseases, it is important to see your doctor for a blood test and urinalysis in order to determine whether or not you have diabetes.
Diabetes, if caught early, can be treated and controlled.
To YOUR Health,
Steve Wagner
By: S. Wagner
Posts Tagged ‘Kidneys’
Diabetes Symptoms
April 29th, 2010A Nasal Spray Treatment For Diabetes
April 10th, 2010
DDAVP nasal spray or by it’s generic label, Desmopressin Acetate, is a drug with a diversity of uses. DDAVP is a artificial form of the natural hormone arginine vasopressin which is vital in the balance of blood and blood pressure, abdomen and intestinal movements, as well as the proper functions of the uterus and kidneys.
DDAVP nasal spray is usually prescribed for young children above the age of six years who are having trouble with bed wetting or enuresis. The precise dosage will require trial and error to achieve the desired outcome with responsiveness to treatment being verified and regulated by the number of nights the patient has been able to sleep without having an incident or by how many times in a night the individual must wake to use the restroom.
What are the uses of DDAVP nasal spray?
DDAVP nasal spray is being used effectively as a management for Diabetes Insipidus and your physician can prescribe the suitable dosage for you after some testing to discern just how much medication your body requires and how responsive your body is to the treatment. Your physician will probably make some adjustments to your dosage before totally attaining the desired result because each individual will respond differently to care.
It is used in the management of bed wetting in young children, loss of excessive water in men and women suffering from diabetes insipidus, and to control excessive thirst and urination in patients with brain injuries. It has also been marketed under the name, Stimate, as a blood clotting agent for certain types of hemophiliacs.
For those not requiring much help, the spray will be adequate. Those with a more severe difficulty will require more drug and so the physician will most probably prescribe the nasal drops.
The use of DDAVP nasal spray, known as Stimate, is also used in the case of hemophiliacs as a blood clotting agent. Again the dosage will be controlled by your doctor and your own bodies responsiveness to the drug.
Is it safe for me?
While DDAVP is safe for most men and women, some individuals may need to practise caution. As with any medication, if you have an allergy to this drug or any of its different parts, do not take this medication. Also, if you suffer from high blood pressure or coronary illness, be extremely careful in the use of this drug as it may cause unusual spikes or drops in the blood pressure, creating an risky condition.
Conditions involving fluid and electrolyte imbalances, such as Cystic Fibrosis, can produce particular dangers for the individual taking DDAVP so make certain your physician knows if you have these conditions before beginning a DDAVP treatment. DDAVP may also have medication interactions with your different medications so be certain your physician knows every drug you are taking. Drugs that elevate the blood pressure pose a certain risk for interaction with DDAVP as do the drugs, Clofibrate, Glyburide and Epinephrine.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, make sure your physician knows this before you start taking DDAVP. While there is no clinical evidence to establish a link between DDAVP and childbirth defects, it is still recommended that pregnant women do not take the medication unless there are no alternative. There is also no proof that the medication is passed thru breast milk but your doctor should be consulted prior to taking the medication while breast-feeding.
It is also to be noted that water toxicity, though uncommon, has been known to occur in young children and the elderly while using DDAVP nasal spray. Water toxicity is a risky condition where too much water is in the system which negates the obtainable sodium in the blood causing the victim to go into a seizure. To keep from having this complication, restrict your fluid intake to just what is required to satisfy thirst.
By: Bessie Johns
4 Major Organs That Diabetes Can Damage
April 8th, 2010
Diabetes is a condition that develops when the body can no longer produce enough insulin to moderate blood sugar levels. As a result diabetics suffer from extremely high blood sugar levels. Over time these high levels of sugar in the blood start to affect the blood vessels and other areas of the body. In this article I will be discussing four of the major organs that can be affected by diabetes damage.
1) THE HEART:- As already discussed, high blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels. When these vessels become damaged the flow of blood to your heart becomes restricted. Your heart needs a good flow of blood to function properly and without this your risk for heart attacks and other heart diseases increases. There are a number of symptoms that could indicate heart disease which include; breathlessness, chest pains and irregular heartbeats.
2) THE EYES:- When the blood vessels and tissues of the eyes become damaged this can lead to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Sufferers of diabetic retinopathy often experience blurred vision and in the worst cases temporary blindness. Diabetes also increases your risk of developing cataracts (clouding of the eyes lenses) and glaucoma (damage to the optic nerves).
3) THE FEET:- Diabetes can also cause damage to your nerves. If the nerves in your feet become damaged then some feeling is often lost meaning that cuts and sores can quite easily go unnoticed. This means that they can become infected without you realising which brings further complications. Therefore, to reduce your risk of infection it is very important to wash your feet daily and inspect them regularly if you are diabetic.
4) THE KIDNEYS:- If the blood vessels of the kidneys become damaged they cannot remove waste from the blood effectively. In the worst cases this can lead to kidney failure which will mean you will then require kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant.
As you can see, diabetes is not a condition to be taken lightly. This article has discussed just some of the damage that diabetes can cause. However, it can also weaken many of your other organs too. Fortunately, a lot of this damage can be avoided by following a sensible diabetes treatment plan, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Many people do not realise how serious contracting diabetes is. I hope this article has shown you just how important proper treatment can be.
Every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative but it is intended for general information only. Diabetes is a medical condition and this article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner. If you have any concerns regarding any form of diabetes you should seek the advice of your doctor immediately.
By: Thomas Parker
