What are the symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes manifests itself as a variety of symptoms

•  increased thirst and urination
•  increased hunger
•  fatigue
• blurred vision
•  Hands or feet that feel numb or tingly
•  sores that do not heal
•  unexplained weight loss

Diabetes type 1 can manifest quickly, within weeks, while type 2 diabetes symptoms may develop slowly over several years, and may be so mild that you are unaware of them. There are many types of diabetes, and the majority of people do not feel any symptoms until they have diabetes-related health problems, such as blurred vision or high blood pressure.

How is type 1 diabetes caused?

Insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed by your immune system when you have type 1 diabetes. There are genetic factors and environmental factors that can trigger type 1 diabetes, including viruses.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Several factors contribute to type 2 diabetes, including lifestyle factors and genetics.

Overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases if you are not physically active and overweight. Overweight can cause insulin resistance, which is common in patients with type 2 diabetes. Having excess belly fat increases the risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Insulin resistance

Usually, type 2 diabetes begins with insulin resistance, a condition that occurs when your muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin properly. As a result, your body requires more insulin to help glucose enter your cells. Initially, the pancreas produces more insulin to meet the added demand. Over time, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Researchers believe the hormonal changes of pregnancy, as well as genetics and lifestyle factors, are responsible for gestational diabetes.

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance can, however be reversed in some pregnant women due to insufficient insulin production. Gestational diabetes is caused by inadequate insulin production by the pancreas. The weight gain associated with gestational diabetes is the same as the weight gain associated with type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance may already exist in pregnant women who are obese or overweight. There is also a possibility that overeating while pregnant contributes to the problem.

Hormonal diseases

Diabetes and insulin resistance are sometimes caused by hormonal diseases that cause the body to produce excessive amounts of certain hormones.

•  Overproduction of cortisol results in Cushing’s syndrome, often called the “stress hormone”.
•  Overproduction of growth hormone causes acromegaly.
•  Too much thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism.
• Damage to or removal of the pancreas

A damaged pancreas, pancreatic cancer, and trauma can harm the beta cells and cause them to produce less insulin. Diabetes will result if the damaged pancreas is removed.

Medicines

It is possible for certain medicines to cause damage to beta cells or interfere with insulin’s function. These medicines include

• niacin, a type of vitamin B3
•  certain types of diuretics, also called water pills
•  anti-seizure drugs
•  psychiatric drugs
•  A medicine used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ