Common Symptoms of Diabetes and the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Sometimes, the symptoms of diabetes can be difficult to identify because many of the common symptoms may not be present in all cases and they can appear and then disappear again. Additionally, some of the symptoms can also occur in other medical conditions making it more puzzling.



However, there are some classic symptoms or characteristics that are unique to diabetics. Frequent urination, extreme thirst and sudden severe weight loss for no reason are some examples of classic symptoms that suggests the possibility of diabetes. But sometimes no symptoms appear in Type 2 diabetes.



One distinctive attribute of diabetes is characterized by excessive levels of blood glucose from deficiencies in insulin production. But, there are differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes (a.k.a. juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) often develops in children and young adults, whereas Type 2 diabetes (a.k.a. non insulin dependent) often develops in adulthood.



Another marked symptom of diabetes (both Type 1 and 2) is continual fatigue. Glucose is the major source of energy for our body, it powers the body's functions from cell repair to major muscle movements. Since insulin is unable to perform its function properly by regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream, the diabetic will feel lethargic.



Other symptom of diabetes is blurred vision. However, blurred vision can also due to aging such as presbyopia (age-related problem with near vision). It typically starts at middle age, and is due to age-related loss of elasticity of the lens. But the cause in the case of diabetes can lead to blindness. This is because higher blood sugar levels can start to damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye in the retina over time.



People with Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for the development of infection and impaired wound healing. Cuts (particularly on the feet) are slower to heal. The effect of diabetes on wound healing is not yet fully understood and continues to be a focus of further research. Diabetics need to pay special attention to their diabetes care in general as well as to the critical illness, wound, or ulcer.



Tingling or numbness in hands and feet is also a warning sign or symptom of diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes where multiple daily injections of insulin and blood glucose tests are needed, Type 2 diabetes can often be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Type 2 is relatively easier to manage than Type 1 diabetes.



Since so many of these symptoms can also be produced by other medical conditions, the best thing to do in order to confirm whether you have diabetes or not, is to seek a professional help for proper diagnosis. Just a simple blood test will do the job.

The Terrifying Link between Alcohol and Hypoglycemia

Let's talk about hypoglycemia first.



The laymen's term for this condition is perhaps more familiar to your ears: low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia takes place when the blood sugar level of your body is depleted and becomes insufficient for providing energy. Are you familiar with the term "sugar rush"? That's what you get when you eat too much sugar and become hyperactive. Hypoglycemia however leads to the exact opposite.



Let's talk about alcoholism next.



Alcoholism is an addiction. When left unmanaged and untreated, it can lead to various medical complications that may be life-threatening. Once the body develops an unhealthy craving for alcohol, it's almost impossible to get rid of. Only absolute determination and willpower, with the help of medical professionals and therapeutic treatment, can the harmful effects of alcoholism be significantly reduced.



How the Two Comes Together



Various studies have provided substantial proof that alcoholism, or excessive drinking of alcohol, can indeed lead to hypoglycemia. There are several instances that the human body is incapable of multi-tasking and imbibing liquor is one of those times. Since your body is almost fully concentrated on breaking down alcohol, the liver is unable to produce as much blood sugar as it should. Without a proper level of glucose in your body, hypoglycemia is often the result.



Can Hypoglycemia Happen Every Time You Drink?



Fortunately, no. Hypoglycemia occurs more often than not when an individual makes the mistake of drinking too much with an empty stomach.



What You Can Do to Prevent Hypoglycemia While or Before Drinking



If you already know beforehand that tonight's festivities will include getting intoxicated, make sure that you eat a light meal or some snacks before leaving home.



If possible, check your blood sugar level before leaving as well.



Exercise regularly. No one gets sick because of a healthy dose of exercise!



Choose the type of food you eat carefully. While a diet consisting of a wide variety of foods is advisable, make sure however that you eat lots of high-fiber food and less of foods that are high on sugar.



How to Know If You Have Hypoglycemia



Watch out for the following symptoms as they'll let you know when you're in danger of passing out because of hypoglycemia: hunger, inexplicable perspiration, feeling nervous, light-headed, or sleepy, and having difficulties speaking.



If You're a Diabetic Alcoholic



Things are just not looking good for you. To avoid experiencing hypoglycemia in the most inopportune of times, make sure that you've consulted your physician about the following:
Medication - Is it possible that the medicine you're taking is the reason why you're experiencing low blood sugar? When, how often, and how much of it should you take?
Diet - Ask for dietary advice regarding food that's beneficial for a diabetic and an alcoholic.
Exercise - Strenuous activity has been known to sometimes cause diabetics to experience hypoglycemia. Ask how often should you exercise and if there should be any limit to how much effort you exert.



Other Possible Causes of Hypoglycemia



If you're planning to enjoy a merry night with your friends in a place where booze flows freely, make sure that you haven't recently experienced any of the following conditions:



Serious Illness - People who had recently recovered from a serious ailment in their liver, heart, or kidneys, are still highly vulnerable to experiencing hypoglycemia.



Pregnancy - If you're pregnant, you're more likely to experience hypoglycemia.



Lastly, remember that with all things, moderation is the key to success! Don't drink too much!

Symptoms of Swine Flu - Know the Difference Between H1N1 Flu and Regular Flu

Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada and Mexico before H1N1 flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of four months, the disease has spread to almost all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a big epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.



Risk factors of Swine Flu
Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for H1N1 flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions and lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk.



Symptoms of Swine Flu
In children, the symptoms of H1N1 virus include:
1. Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration
4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever



In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever



The symptoms of H1N1 is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu and so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat and fatigue are common. Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of this flu, also known as Influenza A.



How do I catch swine flu?
H1N1 is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it and then bringing to their nose or mouth.



How can someone with swine flu infect it to someone else?
Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there are also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.



How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against H1N1virus?
There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Flu. You can only maintain hygiene and take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against the flu:



1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze into it.



2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, especially after you cough or sneeze.



3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.



4. Avoid contact with people who are infected. This is sad but then the disease is highly infective.



5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.



6. Do not venture into crowded spaces.



7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.



8. Sleep well, eat nutritious food and practise healthy habits so that you are physically active and immune to the flu.



How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs and furniture?
According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces and infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of H1N1 can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people and then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or desk of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, and touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract the virus.



What are the medicines and treatment options?
Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat H1N1 but they should be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune system strong and keep the flu viruses at bay and stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you should start taking antiviral drugs within two days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.



How do I prevent getting H1N1 in high risk areas?
If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you should stay home and avoid contact with these people. If you develop flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance and take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is required.



Does WHO recommend using a MASK?
If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not required to wear a mask. If a near and dear one is sick with H1N1, you need to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact and wash and clean your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.



How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu?
You cannot tell the difference without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories.



Home remedies for swine flu:
There are no home remedies, especially when you have to figure out if it is H1N1 or season flu. The H1N1 requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu and strengthen your immune system by doing the following:
1. Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water.
2. Wear face mask before going outside. If someone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose and mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets into the body through the mouth and nose.
3. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties.
4. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well.
5. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes and the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Sometimes, the symptoms of diabetes can be difficult to identify because many of the common symptoms may not be present in all cases and they can appear and then disappear again. Additionally, some of the symptoms can also occur in other medical conditions making it more puzzling.



However, there are some classic symptoms or characteristics that are unique to diabetics. Frequent urination, extreme thirst and sudden severe weight loss for no reason are some examples of classic symptoms that suggests the possibility of diabetes. But sometimes no symptoms appear in Type 2 diabetes.



One distinctive attribute of diabetes is characterized by excessive levels of blood glucose from deficiencies in insulin production. But, there are differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.



Type 1 diabetes (a.k.a. juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) often develops in children and young adults, whereas Type 2 diabetes (a.k.a. non insulin dependent) often develops in adulthood.



Another marked symptom of diabetes (both Type 1 and 2) is continual fatigue. Glucose is the major source of energy for our body, it powers the body's functions from cell repair to major muscle movements. Since insulin is unable to perform its function properly by regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream, the diabetic will feel lethargic.



Other symptom of diabetes is blurred vision. However, blurred vision can also due to aging such as presbyopia (age-related problem with near vision). It typically starts at middle age, and is due to age-related loss of elasticity of the lens. But the cause in the case of diabetes can lead to blindness. This is because higher blood sugar levels can start to damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye in the retina over time.



People with Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for the development of infection and impaired wound healing. Cuts (particularly on the feet) are slower to heal. The effect of diabetes on wound healing is not yet fully understood and continues to be a focus of further research. Diabetics need to pay special attention to their diabetes care in general as well as to the critical illness, wound, or ulcer.



Tingling or numbness in hands and feet is also a warning sign or symptom of diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes where multiple daily injections of insulin and blood glucose tests are needed, Type 2 diabetes can often be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Type 2 is relatively easier to manage than Type 1 diabetes.



Since so many of these symptoms can also be produced by other medical conditions, the best thing to do in order to confirm whether you have diabetes or not, is to seek a professional help for proper diagnosis. Just a simple blood test will do the job.

The Key Differences Between Prediabetes & Diabetes

The most common way for prediabetes to be diagnosed is via a normal blood test during a routine doctors visit. It's recommended that everyone of the age of 45 be tested for prediabetes during an annual physical.



A normal "fasting" blood glucose is less than 100 mg/dl.



Prediabetes is diagnosed whenever the fasting blood glucose level falls in between 100 and 125 mg/dl on more than one occasion.



Diabetes, on the other hand, is diagnosed when the fasting blood sugar level is 126 mg/dl or higher on more than one occasion.



* fasting refers to a period of 8 hours or more without eating.



A normal blood glucose level two hours after eating is 75 grams of sugar is less than 140 mg/dl



Prediabetes is diagnosed when the glucose level two hours after eating 75 grams of sugar is between 140 and 199 mg/dl on more than one occasion.



Diabetes is diagnosed when the blood glucose level two hours after eating 75 grams of sugar is over 199 mg/dl on more than one occasion.



Yep - it's true. If your blood glucose is 99 mg/dl after fasting, you don't have prediabetes. But if it is one lousy milligram of glucose more, you do have it. It's really that simple. The line has to be drawn somewhere.



Of course, these definitions are in fact quite arbitrary. They have been changed in the past and could very well change in the future. If it is determined that large numbers people who have lower blood sugar levels are experiencing complications from diabetes, you can be sure the thresholds will be lowered. Unfortunately, there are indeed people with blood sugar levels below 126 who show signs of complications from diabetes. But this is not the norm at this point.



In past times, it wasn't all that uncommon to hear people say that they had a "touch of sugar" or that they had "borderline diabetes." Neither of these terms are accurate today because there is no such thing as a touch of diabetes. Either you have diabetes, prediabetes or you don't. There is no in between.

Borderline diabetes-is there a difference between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?

If you've been diagnosed with prediabetes, then this is the stage to get into action! There is no way that you could get in on the action without awareness of the problem.



The first step begins with awareness.



What is Borderline diabetes?



Borderline diabetes or prediabetes is when blood sugars are out of normal range, but not in the range for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.



The clinical name for this is called fasting glucose.



Borderline diabetes or prediabetes is important because it serves as a warning sign. This is the time to make major changes in lifestyle. Or increases the risk of becoming a type 2 diabetic.



How is prediabetes diagnosed?



The quickest way to diagnose prediabetes is a fasting blood sugar. I usually recommend an overnight fast for at least 8 hours and if possible up to 12 hours.



Blood glucose levels normal for diabetes are among 70-99 mg/dL. Substantially less than 100 mg/dL.



When your blood glucose is between 100-125 mg/dL, this indicates prediabetes or borderline diabetes.



If the level is above 126 mg/dl that indicates diabetes type 2.



Another test that can be used to diagnose prediabetes is called the glucose tolerance test (OGTT) oral.



This is a more detailed tests. Firstly, a fasting blood glucose level. Once a fast 8-12 hours is required.



Then you are given a very sweet liquid to drink. This is equivalent to 75 G glucose or the amount of sugar in a can of Coca Cola for example.



Two hours after taking this, I did another blood test. If this is between 140 and 199 mg/dL.



When your blood sugar is over 200 mg/dL, then this indicates type 2 diabetes.



Borderline diabetes have symptoms?



There are symptoms associated with borderline diabetes. So don't expect to have the common signs of diabetes.



What are the risks associated with prediabetes?



The main risk is the development of type 2 diabetes. However people with prediabetes are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke and hypertension.



Get more information on how diabetes and hypertension are linked.



Remember that the same risks that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes also can put you at risk of prediabetes.



What can you do to prevent prediabetes from becoming diabetes type 2?



As noted earlier in this article, diagnosed with prediabetes should serve as a warning sign to make changes in your lifestyle.



In other words does not mean that inevitably will become a type 2 diabetic.



Patients diagnosed with prediabetes should be closely monitored. This is one of the times that, with a commitment to a healthy life, progression to diabetes can be reversed.



The hallmark of success reversing prediabetes is diet and exercise. If you are overweight or obese, commit to losing weight.



Just losing 10% of your current body weight could reverse these effects.



It is important to work with your doctor during this critical phase. By monitoring your blood tests, you and your doctor are better aware of the corrective action to be taken.



Sometimes the doctor may choose to put on a drug called metformin. When this happens, many times patients may get confused because they don't understand enough because I'm on a medication for diabetes even if you don't have diabetes. But research shows that the metformin helps reduce the chances of developing full-blown diabetes.



So next time you hear someone say that they have been diagnosed with borderline diabetes or prediabetes, do a favor to them and educate them about it.



Let them know that this is the time to begin to make changes in their lifestyle.