Type 1 Diabetes
There are symptoms that a person will have that could be an indication that they have diabetes:
The initial symptoms of type 1 diabetes are
• Weight loss
• Excessive passing of urine
• Constant thirst
• Tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Itch skin around genitals or regular infections ,such as thrush
They can develop quickly, usually over a few weeks. In particular marked weight loss, often over a short period of 2-8 weeks, is the main distinguishing symptom between type 1 and type 2. The other symptoms can occur in either type. (www.bupa.co.uk)
In his book, Diabetes, The Complete Guide, Hillson (1996) observed that onset diabetes symptoms were subtle for older people and sometimes underlying unnoticed for long periods, whilst in contrast, younger people suffered overt and acute symptoms that developed over a very short period.
Type 2 Diabetes
The symptoms between type 1 and type 2 are similar. (www.bupa.co.uk)
The person may have noticed a change in weight over recent months. They may have gained some (causing diabetes) or lost some as a result of high blood glucose levels. It is also possible that their weight has not changed; this could be because of a combination of high blood glucose and a high calorie diet. (www.diabetes.co.uk)
The Essay on Type diabetes
Managing type 1 diabetes is composed of a handful of elements: blood glucose control and insulin management, exercise, nutrition and support. A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes means your pancreas is no longer capable of producing insulin. Through multiple daily injections with insulin pens or syringes or an insulin pump, it will be up to you to monitor your blood glucose levels and appropriately ...
The difference with type 2 symptoms is that they can be mild and go unnoticed for years. (www.diabetes.co.uk)
Gestational Diabetes
With Gestational diabetes it is harder to notice the symptoms. The main symptoms are
• Increased thirst
• Needing to urinate often
• Feeling tired
The problem with this is that all the above symptoms are also common with a normal pregnancy. (www.bupa.co.uk)
Gestational diabetes often does not have any symptoms. www.babycentre.co.uk
There are no real external symptoms and it is mainly detected through screening. The classic symptoms listed above are rare. www.netdoctor.co.uk
“Many people feel nothing at all. They go to the doctors for a routine check up and are quite amazed to discover they have diabetes. They say “How can I be diabetic? I do not feel ill”. (Hillson, 1996)
Some people look back and realise that they have, after all, been feeling below par. Some people are just unaware of chemical imbalances in their bodies. Unfortunately, even though they do not feel unwell they must still take their diabetes seriously.
“Everyone is different. Do not expect to have all these symptoms. In some cases people have none, but usually thirst and excessive urine come together. Symptoms normally calm down once treatment for diabetes has started.” (Hillson, 1996)
Chapter 2
Diagnosis, Treatments and affects of Treatments
This chapter will look at how people get diagnosed with diabetes the treatments they are offered and how affective the treatments are.
There are different ways of diagnosing diabetes and the research gathered gives a clear understanding how all types of diabetes are diagnosed. There are also different treatments depending on which type of diabetes the person has. Treating different diabetes types are done with many different insulin and tablets that are tailored to individuals.
Diagnosing
Type 1
The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be problematic: unless there is a known history in the family, most people do not recognise the signs or symptoms. The symptoms are similar to that of a stomach virus. It is only when the symptoms persist that people seek medical attention and then get diagnosed with having type 1 diabetes.
The Term Paper on Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Endocrine Disorder Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Type 2 An endocrine disorder is a medical condition that causes a hormonal imbalance. When an endocrine gland functions abnormally, producing either too much of a specific hormone (hyperfunction) or too little (hypofunction), the hormonal imbalance can cause various complications in the body. The major glands of the endocrine system are the pituitary, ...
Once the pancreas shuts down its production of insulin, and obvious symptoms appear, people are quickly diagnosed. This is done by blood sampling and measuring the glucose levels within the blood. There are three standard tests that are used to diagnose type 1 diabetes.
The first is a Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG).
This is a blood test obtained after a period of fasting, usually eight hours. This means no food or drink (except water) is taken after midnight on the night before the test. A blood test is taken early next morning, if the results show a glucose reading of 126mg/dl or higher then it indicates diabetes. For the result to be confirmed the test is usually repeated on a different day.
A normal reading of glucose for a non-diabetic is between 70 and 110 mg/dl. The FBG is the most commonly used test.
