Symptoms

For more information on diabetes symptoms, please click here.

Routine Examinations

When you see your doctor, he will perform a medical examination. This is a routine test that will help determine if your blood sugar levels are elevated. If your blood glucose level is elevated, your physician will conduct 1 of the 3 following tests.

During these exams, also known as random blood sugar tests, your blood sample is taken. Your doctor can take your blood sample at any time. If you have a blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher, diabetes is likely.

Diabetes Tests

A doctor will not diagnose you with diabetes unless you have taken the Fasting Glucose, Oral Glucose, or A1C tests.

• Fasting Glucose Test – Your blood and sugar levels are tested before you eat. You have diabetes if your level is 126 mg/dL or higher.

• Oral Glucose Test – This test requires you to drink a beverage that contains glucose. Your blood will then be checked up to 3 hours, in 30 minute intervals. If you have a glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher, within 2 hours of testing, you will be diagnosed with diabetes.

• The AlC Test – This test is simple. Your blood is tested to determine what your blood sugar levels averaged for the past 3 months. Diabetes is probable if your A1C level is 6.5 percent or higher. A doctor will typically conduct this test more than once before he makes a diagnosis.

A1C Test Alternatives

Your doctor may prefer to administer the A1C test, but there are issues that can keep her from doing so. Pregnant women are typically not given an A1C test. If you have an uncommon form of hemoglobin, you will not be able to take the A1C test. When this specific test is conducted, you cannot have conditions that will make your A1C levels inaccurate. Random blood sugar tests and fasting blood sugar tests are the preferred alternatives to an A1C test.

After the Diagnosis

Most doctors will prefer to conduct the A1C test, especially after you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Your A1C levels will continue to be tested; this allows doctors to determine if your treatment is working. If your A1C levels are elevated, the doctors can change your meal plan, regimen, or sometimes both.

Your kidney, liver, and thyroid functions are tested through urine and blood samples. These samples are also taken to test your cholesterol levels.

References

“Test and Diagnosis.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis. Accessed on August 22, 2013.

“Diabetes Symptoms.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DS01121/DSECTION=symptoms. Accessed on August 22, 2013.

“Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Monitoring of Diabetes.” American Heart Association. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Diabetes/SymptomsDiagnosisMonitoringofDiabetes/Symptoms-Diagnosis-Monitoring-of-Diabetes_UCM_002035_Article.jsp. Accessed on August 22, 2013.

There are treatments available for diabetes; each varying by the type of diabetes you have been diagnosed with.

Adults

According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.6 million people who suffer from diabetes in the United States are 20 years of age or older. 26.9 percent of people who have diabetes are 65 years of age or older. 1 in 10 adults have Type 2 diabetes in the U.S.

Children

Children can be born with diabetes, or develop the medical condition over time. Type 1 diabetes will affect 1 in 400 children in the United States. Children are more likely to suffer from diabetes because of childhood obesity being on the rise. Obesity is not the only cause of Type 2 diabetes, but weight and health is a huge factor in most cases.

Racial Groups and Ethnicities

The number of individuals with diabetes will also vary, based on their race or ethnicity. Non-Hispanic blacks have the largest number of diabetes cases, with 12.6 percent. Hispanics have the second largest percentage of diabetes cases – 11.8 percent. Asian Americans make up 8.4 percent of diabetes cases in the U.S., while non-Hispanic whites make up 7.1 percent.

Of the Hispanic percentage, 7.6 percent are Cuban, 13.8 percent are Puerto Rican, and 13.3 percent are Mexican Americans.

United States

Each year more and more cases of diabetes are diagnosed. There are a total of 1.6 million new cases of diabetes each year. Diabetes currently costs the United States 220 billion dollars, but that number continues to rise each year. The United Health Group studies show that if trends continue, the United States will spend 3.35 trillion dollars on diabetes by the year 2020.

Around the Globe

300 million people are living with diabetes worldwide, according to the International Diabetes Foundation. According to Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 92 million diabetics live in China, the country with the highest number of diabetics.

The type of healthcare available varies by country. Less affluent countries do not have access to adequate healthcare, which could prevent them from being diagnosed or treated for diabetes. Of the reported diabetes cases, 298 million live in developing countries where healthcare is not adequate. 80 percent of deaths that occur in low and middle-income countries are caused by diabetes.

Future Diabetes Cases

You need to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent diabetes; however, Type 1 diabetes is often hereditary. As the years go by, the diabetes cases are expected to double. Researchers believe that 1 in 3 Americans will suffer from diabetes if current trends continue. Studies show that by 2030, more people will be affected by diabetes worldwide than those affected by HIV/AIDS – approximately 10 times more.

References

“Diabetes Statistics.” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/. Accessed on August 22, 2013.

“Diabetes Research Center.” Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. Retrieved from http://www.einstein.yu.edu/centers/diabetes-research/facts-statistics/. Accessed on August 22, 2013.

Symptoms in Women

12.6 million women in the United States have diabetes. If you notice any early warning signs, consult with a medical expert immediately. If you have scars that will not heal, blurred vision, exhaustion or fatigue, excessive hunger and thirst, you may be suffering from diabetes.

These glaring symptoms may seem small, but they are not. Ignoring these symptoms and failing to receive treatment can lead to a stroke or death.

Symptoms in Men

As of 2012, approximately 13 million men in the United States were living with diabetes. Although most of the symptoms in females also apply to males, there are some symptoms that are specific to males only. Those symptoms include:

• Episodes of Thrush Around Genitals (Episodes that are recurrent)
• Loss of Muscle Mass (Which leads to reduced strength)
• Itching of the Penis (Or Around the Penis)
• Erectile Dysfunction

Symptoms in Individuals Under 20

According to the American Association of Diabetes, 215,000 youth under the age of 20 have diabetes. Children who suffer from Type 1 diabetes generally develop their symptoms quickly. Common symptoms for children are:

• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Weight Loss
• Increased Urination
• Blurred Vision
• Yeast Infection (for females)

Children who are suffering from Type 2 diabetes will have the same symptoms as children with Type 1 diabetes, in addition to these other symptoms:

• Areas of Darkened Skin
• Frequent Infections
• Slow Healing Scars or Sores

Symptoms for Infants:

According to Boston Children’s Hospital, 1 in 30,000 infants will have diabetes insipidus. This type of diabetes is caused by tumors, brain injury, family hereditary, and damage to glands; amongst other reasons. This case of diabetes is rare, but it can occur. If you notice any of the symptoms listed below, consult with a physician immediately.

• High Fevers
• Irritability
• Poor Feeding
• Failure to Grow

Misconception

You may not have any of the symptoms listed above, but that does not mean you do not have diabetes. This is the reason millions of people are living with diabetes and have not been diagnosed. Most individuals are not aware that they have diabetes until the disease has progressed. Remember that diabetes causes serious damage to your body during its early stages. Routine testing with your doctor can be done to determine if you have diabetes. Failing to do so can lead to critical illnesses.

I have the symptoms, but do I have diabetes?

You will need to see a medical expert if you are having any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose you with diabetes.

To learn more about diabetes testing and diagnosis, click here.

Getting Help

If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. If you fail to seek treatment for this disease, you can cause long-term damage to your heart, brain, and liver. A medical expert can explain your treatment options to you, including medication and healthy lifestyle tips.

Your doctor can also give you a referral to a medical therapist, as well as a listing of local diabetes support groups. This kind of support can make all the difference in learning to life a happy and healthy life with your diagnosis.

With medical intervention and a significant diet change, diabetes can be reversible.

Speak with your doctor about your symptoms to determine whether or not you are in the early stages of diabetes and about your genetic factors and diet change.  With the right combination of treatment, diet and genetic factors you may be able to eliminate all symptoms of diabetes.

References

“Diabetic Basics.” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/?loc=GlobalNavDB. Accessed on August 2, 2013.

“Types of Diabetes.” International Diabetes Federation. Retrieved from http://www.idf.org/types-diabetes/. Accessed on August 2, 2013.

“Diabetes Insipidus.” Boston Children’s Hospital. Retrieved from http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site709/mainpageS709P1.html. Accessed on August 2, 2013.

“Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/reversing-type-2-diabetes.   Accessed on August 7, 2013.