In the year 2010, around 21 million of the U.S. adults aging 20 or above have been reported to have Diabetes Type 2[1]. The trend kept on increasing in the coming years as confirmed by the various studies[2]. It is a multifactorial disease with several genetic and environmental factors involved in its onset. The condition is marked by unstable glucose levels in the blood. A defect in the production or mechanism of action of a hormone called insulin is responsible for this disease. In some cases, both problems may be present simultaneously.
Types of Diabetes
Following are the three types of Diabetes[3]:
Type I
In Diabetes Type I, the pancreas malfunctions and fails to produce sufficient amount of insulin. Since insulin is responsible for binding the glucose present in the bloodstream to the cells, its absence stops this activity. As a result, the blood glucose level rises to high levels.
Type II
In this case, while the pancreas produces sufficient amount of insulin, the cells develop resistance to insulin, preventing its attachment to the cells, which is essential if the glucose is to be absorbed by the cells. Consequently, the insulin is not used despite being present and the blood glucose level rises.
Gestational
In 4% of the pregnant women, insulin production or its working mechanism might be hindered because of the new bodily changes occurring during pregnancy. In most cases, it is cured after the delivery. However, in some cases, it can turn out to be prediabetes for Type I or Type II Diabetes[4].
5 Symptoms to Recognize the Silent Killer
Diabetes Type 2 has been called the silent killer for various reasons[5]. Firstly, the symptoms are mild to begin with and are often ignored by people. Secondly, when the disease is finally identified, it has advanced to a great degree and the blood sugar levels are exceedingly high.
In order to catch the silent killer in time, you must consider the presence of the following symptoms very seriously[6]:
Increased Thirst and urination
The most characteristic symptom of Diabetes Mellitus is excessive urination resulting in increased thirst. Basically, when the cells fail to absorb the glucose from the blood, the body tries to remove the extra sugar through urination. This results in loss of water and nutrients, hence causing increased thirst.
Hunger
A diabetic is often quite hungry. Despite having excessive sugar in their bloodstream, their cells are deprived, craving for energy.
Weight Loss
Diabetics often lose a lot of weight in little time, which is not healthy at all. The cells deprived of glucose start breaking down proteins to get their energy, triggering the weight loss.
Slow Healing
The excessive sugar in the blood damages the arteries, slowing the flow of blood and nutrients to the damaged areas where it is required to heal the cuts and bruises. This is a classic symptom of Diabetes Mellitus.
Numbness and Tingling
Elevated sugar levels can also cause nerve damage, which results in tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. The more recent this symptom is, the higher is the chance of it being reversible. If it has been going on for long, the patient will have to go for neuropathy.
Other major symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus include blurry vision, fatigue, skin problem, pain in the joints, and yeast infections. If you are facing a combination of the above symptoms, you need to have your blood glucose levels tested ASAP.
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[1] Selvin, E., Parrinello, C. M., Sacks, D. B., & Coresh, J. (2014). Trends in prevalence and control of diabetes in the United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2010. Annals of internal medicine, 160(8), 517-525.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. (2012). Increasing prevalence of diagnosed diabetes–United States and Puerto Rico, 1995-2010. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 61(45), 918.
[3] National Diabetes Data Group. (1979). Classification and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and other categories of glucose intolerance. Diabetes, 28(12), 1039-1057.
[4] Kim, C., Newton, K. M., & Knopp, R. H. (2002). Gestational diabetes and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes care, 25(10), 1862-1868.
[5] Campbell, I. W. (2001). Type 2 diabetes mellitus:‘the silent killer’. Practical Diabetes International, 18(6), 187-191.
[6] Tesfaye, S., Boulton, A. J., Dyck, P. J., Freeman, R., Horowitz, M., Kempler, P., … & Bernardi, L. (2010). Diabetic neuropathies: update on definitions, diagnostic criteria, estimation of severity, and treatments. Diabetes care, 33(10), 2285-2293.