subject: Common symptoms of diabetes type 1 and type 2 [print this page] Common symptoms of diabetes type 1 and type 2
Diabetes is a chronic disease; it is a situation when there is too much of glucose in the human body. Insulin a hormone secreted by pancreas regulates glucose in the human body. Pancreas have four types of cells which are collectively known as Islets of langerhans. Among four types, the beta cells are responsible for secretion of insulin.
Diabetes is a deadly disease. Diabetes is divided into two major types Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also known as Juvenile diabetes as it is more common among young adults or teenagers. It is due to stop in production of insulin. This halt in production of insulin is due to autoimmune system of the human body which destroys the beta cells. Insulin is a must dose over here so it is also known by the name Insulin dependent diabetes(IDDM).
Type 2 diabetes is due to low production of insulin or the receptors of the cells stop reacting to insulin produced, this condition is referred as Insulin resistance. So the body creates more and more insulin rigorously and the insulin production becomes low. It is also known as Adult onset diabetes or Non insulin dependent diabetes, As insulin doses are not a must over here. Body can still produce insulin.
Many of the diabetes signs and symptoms type 1 and type 2 are almost same. The symptoms are
Frequent Urination: Here the frequent urination is due to ineffectiveness of insulin, the kidney can't filter glucose and it is overwhelmed and draws water out of the blood to dilute glucose. This makes more trips to bathroom.
Increased thirst: As there are frequent trips to bathroom to overcome dehydration the person feels thirsty. The water which is thrown out must be replaced so thirst is a known symptom in diabetes.
Unexplained weight loss: The function of insulin is to act as a key and pass glucose into liver, muscles and fat cells where the glucose is stored as energy. If the body has no insulin, the glucose remains in the blood which is harmful and known as glucose toxicity. The gain energy the body breaks down fat cells and muscles tissue. So there is weight loss.
Fatigue: As the glucose remains in the blood and not converted as fuel. The person feels tired. He/she tends to take rest.
Numbness in hands or feet: This is due to high glucose in the blood. This time it damages the nervous system. This sign is usually in extreme condition of diabetes.
The other major symptoms for diabetes include
Unclear vision
Irritable skin
Frequent wounds
All these symptoms develop slowly and a person feels nothing is wrong with him. One third of the diabetes people are unaware of their suffering with the disease.
