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What are the early signs and symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus refers to a disease that affects your body using blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is a source of energy obtained from the food you take. It makes up the muscles and tissues. It is also considered to be the main source of fuel for your brain. Too much sugar in your blood can lead to health problems. Type 1 and type 2 are an example of chronic diabetes conditions. You must know about the early signs and symptoms of diabetes in order to control diabetes at an early stage. Not only adults but also children are prone to diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes in babies

Children may also get diabetes quickly. Hence, if you notice any of the following symptoms in children, you must consult a doctor and get the tests done immediately.

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Bedwetting or frequent urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Behavior changes or loss of appetite

Signs and symptoms of diabetes in adults

According to a government survey, it is found that around 72.96 million adults are suffering from diabetes. Here are a few early signs and symptoms that can help you to detect diabetes at an early stage.

  • Excessive thirst
  • Very frequent urination
  • Any infections on the genital area that takes a longer time to cure
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight loss in spite of having a good appetite.
  • Unclear vision

How is diabetes treated?

Once you develop diabetes, you cannot get rid of that completely. But you can definitely control your diabetes. No matter what type of diabetes you have, to keep it under control, you need to work closely with a doctor. The main goal of every diabetic patient is to keep the blood sugar level within a range that will not cause any serious issue.

Treating type 1 diabetes- People with type 1 diabetes take insulin. Your doctor might show you the way to take insulin under your skin. There is also a device that releases a specific dose if worn. You might need to monitor your blood sugar level quite often. You may also be asked to take medications to control high blood pressure or other such complications.

Treating Type 2 diabetes- This kind of diabetes is generally controlled with the help of a healthy, balanced diet and proper physical workout. It can also be treated with a variety of medications like metformin. This drug is often prescribed by the doctor as your body is able to use insulin effectively.

Risk factors for diabetes

The risk factors for diabetes usually depend on the type of diabetes. The risk factors are as follows-

For type 1 diabetes,

  • Environmental factors such as exposure to a viral illness
  • Family history
  • The place you visit in certain countries like Finland and Sweden has higher rates of type 1 diabetes.
  • Presence of diabetes antibodies

For type 2 diabetes,

  • The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.
  • If you developed gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, then there is a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
  • If any of your parents or siblings have diabetes, your risk increases.
  • Risk increases with your level of inactivity.
  • If you have over 140/90 blood pressure, then the risk of developing diabetes increases.
  • A low level of HDL or good cholesterol also increases the risk of diabetes.

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    Preventive measures for diabetes

    Currently, there are no ways that are known to prevent type 1 diabetes. But here are a few preventive measures to manage other types of diabetes. In order to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, you must exercise regularly, walk for at least 30 minutes a day, manage your diet, control your weight, and avoid smoking. If you follow these preventive measures while you detect the early symptoms of diabetes, you may prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

    If you notice any early signs and symptoms of diabetes, you must consult the doctor immediately. Only then can you prevent diabetes. Sometimes doctors also prescribe medicines to cure diabetes. Oral diabetes drugs like metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza, etc) may also help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a very common disease and you can control it with various home remedies also.

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