Diabetes Type 1 and 2 - Signs, Symptoms, Causes

Nearly 200 million people in the world suffer from type I or type II diabetes. The number continues to grow with an alarming number of young people being affected by type II. Anyone with either type has an increased risk of heart and vascular diseases along with other complications.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

There are two features of diabetes; hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. The two have different symptoms.

Hyperglycemia is when the amount of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood is too high. The symptoms include:

· Extreme thirst
· Frequent urination
· Blurry vision
· Dry itchy skin
· Increased hunger
· Weight loss (more commonly seen in type I-the body burns fat for energy because it can no longer burn glucose)
· Tingling or numbness in the extremities; fingers, toes, etc.
· Sexual dysfunction
· Slow wound healing; frequent skin infections

The symptoms of hyperglycemia usually start slowly and can lead to a medical emergency if the blood sugar stays too high for too long. If hyperglycemia occurs on a regular or chronic basis, it damages the vascular system causing the complications that may be life-threatening.

Hypoglycemia is very dangerous, because there is a lack of glucose in the bloodstream. Brain cells must have a constant steady supply of glucose or they can die. A diabetic coma occurs when the brain cells have been deprived of energy for too long. The warning signs of hypoglycemia include:

· Irritability
· Headache
· Fatigue or feeling weak
· Blurred vision (a common symptom of both features
· Dizziness
· Sweating
· Rapid heartbeat
· Shaking
· Anxiety
· Hunger

Hypoglycemia can occur suddenly and must be addressed quickly.

What Causes Diabetes?

The exact cause of type 1 is unclear. Genetics are known to play a role but other factors must come in to play because studies of identical twins have shown that when one twin develops the disease, the other twin develops it only 30-50% of the time. Factors that scientists believe are involved include:

· Environment-possibly due to toxin chemicals in the environment
· Viruses attacking insulin-producing pancreatic cells
· Diet
· Inadequate nutrient intake
· Imbalances in gut flora
· Drugs-certain drugs destroy pancreatic cells

Type II diabetes seems to run in families indicating that genetics may be involved. But according to nutrition scientists, "Genetics only loads the gun. Lifestyle pulls the trigger." New research has shown that the use of antidepressant drugs is associated with an increased risk of type II diabetes.

The increase in type II diabetes is associated with the increase in obesity. In these cases, the pancreas is functioning normally but the fat cells have crowded out and reduced the number of insulin receptors in the other cells of the body. This is referred to as insulin resistance. Research has shown that with proper diet, regular physical activity and weight loss, type II diabetes can be reversed.

What's the Treatment?

You will learn about the treatments for diabetes in my next article.

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