Health Info Docs

Almost one third of all people with diabetes don’t know they have it. The symptoms seem so harmless, like symptoms of just getting older. This article goes into the different types of diabetes and some of the common symptoms of each to help you understand diabetes a little better.

In this article we’ll go over the three main types of diabetes. They are Type 1, Type 2, Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

This form of diabetes also known as insulin-dependent and immune-mediated diabetes. It occurs when your body can’t produce insulin. The immune system attacks insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This diabetes usually diagnosed in children and young adults, previously called juvenile diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes increases the risk of other serious complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, blindness, and kidney damage.

Some of the symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss even with increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and absence of menstruation

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type not diagnosed. It progress slowly and causes symptoms such as skin infections, poor healing, kidney problems, and vision problems.

People have no severe symptoms and do not seek medical care at all. They just think of the symptoms as simply getting older. Therefore regular testing for diabetes in the most common age group (over 40’s) is important. Sometimes a doctor may treat other diseases, without realizing to test for diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during a woman’s pregnancy. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy have it. It affects 4 percent of all women during pregnancy.

Symptoms include Increased thirst Increased urination Weight loss despite increased appetite Fatigue Nausea and vomiting Frequent infections including those of the bladder, vagina, and skin Blurred vision.

Gestational diabetes can go undiagnosed in pregnancy. It usually starts with mild symptoms often credited to other things. Testing is important during pregnancy because the high blood sugars from gestational diabetes can do harm to the baby and sometimes lead to other complications.

Even if you are not pregnant, testing should be a priority. Many women have gestational diabetes and think about their symptoms as being usual during pregnancy. You never know, maybe it is, but testing is always a good idea.

If you are having any of the symptoms for diabetes, it’s important to see your doctor. Even if you think it’s nothing. It’s better to be safe than sorry.