Diabetes – Know the Signs and Symptoms and Learn How to Manage It Effectively!

Do you always feel tired,hungry,thirsty or urinating frequently? Maybe it is time to dial the phone and make an appointment with your doctor, because these symptoms are very common to a person that has diabetes!

Diabetes is a metabolic condition when your pancreas fails to supply enough insulin to breakdown sugar into energy, allowing the sugar to accumulate in the blood. Diabetes is a common disorder affecting people of all ages. There are two general types of diabetes, they are called type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is classified as autoimmune, when the body attacks its own pancreas and destroys cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is also known as non insulin dependent diabetes in which the pancreas produces little insulin, but not enough to breakdown sugar into energy.

A person with diabetes always experiences frequent urination, excessive thirst and feeling hungry. You feel fatigued or weak and have wounds or sores that do not heal right away and skin that is dry and itchy. You are at a higher risk of developing diabetes if you are obese, have a family history of diabetes and have a sedentary lifestyle. Diabetes can be managed by taking insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, along with proper diet and regular exercise.

Your doctor will test your blood sugar level and it is usually performed in the office or outpatient laboratory. This test is also known as a fasting blood sugar test, where a person is advised not to eat or drink after midnight and it is performed early in the morning. Your normal fasting blood sugar level ranges from 60-95 mg/dl. Your doctor will determine what kind of treatment you need depending on how high you blood sugar is. You will be advised to check your blood sugar 3-4 times a day, before each meal and you will also be recommended to see a nutritionist, to properly manage your diabetes by means of a special diet.

Diabetes can be easily managed by adhering to a proper diet, regular exercise, checking blood sugar level regularly and by taking your medication as instructed by your doctor. It is also important that you involve your family and friends throughout the process to better understand your condition.