Diabetes produces a number of clinical pictures. The recommendations regarding definitions and classifications are as follows:

1) Recognized onset during growth between ages 0-14 years (Infantile or Childhood Diabetics). These patients usually present with severe initial symptoms of diabetes and rapidly become insulin-dependent.

2) Recognized onset between 15 and 24 years (Young Diabetics). These patients usually have an acute onset of symptoms of diabetes and most may be expected to become insulin-dependent.

3) Recognized onset between 25 and 64 years (Adult Diabetics). Growth onset, insulin-dependent diabetes may occur up to the age 22 or 23 years, but between 20 and 35 years, such cases merge into the adult-onset cases that are much less insulin-dependent. These patients begin with variable symptoms of diabetes and may or may not need insulin.

4) Recognized onset over 65 years of age (Elderly diabetics). These patients frequently present with symptoms of the complications of diabetes and can often be controlled without insulin.

It should be noted that all classifications refer to the age when the diabetes was recognized, not the current age of the patient.

Other types you must know

1) Asymptomatic or Unrecognized diabetes also known as pre-diabetes. It is termed asymptomatic or unrecognized diabetes because it doesn’t show or produce indications of a disease or other medical condition. Lots of people in the universe today are suffering from pre-diabetes and feel healthy because medical tests have not proven them diabetic. The symptoms of diabetes which are associated with pre-diabetes are the ones that are noticeable in case of type 2 diabetes.

Such symptoms as frequent urination and excessive thirst are the most common symptoms of type 2. Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes which may appear during pre diabetes are excessive appetite, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, weakness and fatigue.

Blurred vision can show up as a symptom of type 2 diabetes in some people. Wounds take a longer time to heal and there is low sensitivity in the limbs. Skin and gum infections are also common. Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes that show up are vaginal or bladder infections.

2) Juvenile: This term refers to cases of any age group who require insulin and who are prone to attacks of ketosis.

3) Brittle: It was recommended that this term be used as little as possible. It refers to juvenile cases that prove difficult to stabilize. Genuine brittle diabetics are very uncommon and the brittle state does not necessarily persist.

4) Insulin-resistant: This term should be reserved for patients requiring over 200 units insulin daily.

Pre-diabetes is a condition that very frequently occurs before the onset of type 2 diabetes. This simply means that your blood sugars are not quite in a range for the diagnosis of diabetes, (which is 126 fasting on two occasions or more), but close to that range. The new classifications for concern now is any glucose level that is over 100 fasting. If your testing results fasting consistently show that result, you have pre-diabetes. This is also termed as impaired fasting glucose.

This diabetes stage is nothing to ignore. It should be of a serious concern. Serious medical conditions can occur from pre-diabetes such as lasting heart problems. Therefore it is wise to take action, and treat it aggressively.

One of the best favors you can do for yourself when diagnosed with pre-diabetes is to lose weight and also eat wisely. Counting carbohydrates is important, and including whole-grain sources is a must. Whole grains do not cause the big rise in blood sugar as simple carbohydrates. This is because your simple carbohydrates contain refined sugars, whereas whole grains do not.

Actvity on a daily basis for even fifteen minutes will help you a great deal. Try walking, which is the best aerobic activity as it burns many calories in that fifteen minutes time. Start at that level, and work up to thirty minutes or more. Walking every day will not only help you lose weight and your blood glucose levels, but will help you to have better cardiac health.

With pre-diabetes, you may or may not have symptoms of diabetes such as tiredness, intense thirst, visual problems, and urinating often. If you are having any of these symptoms, it is best to have your blood glucose monitored often, and work closely with your doctor to keep track of your conditions and treat with medication when it becomes necessary. Diabetes is nothing to fool around with.

When people think about diabetes they usually think it has something to do with sugar. But sadly, that’s all they know about the disease. To function properly, the body needs glucose but occasionally it becomes incapable of processing the sugar that it gets from foods we eat. Once the body is incapable of processing sugar with efficiency, the diagnosis is diabetes. Knowing what the symptoms are in the early stages can assist in getting the proper treatment and the avoidance of serious complications.

With proper diet and sufficient exercise you may very well be able to avoid this diagnosis. This, in spite of the fact that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently made the sobering prediction that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the United States is anticipated to jump by a minimum of twelve percent, or nearly five million people by the year 2050.

Type 1 diabetes

This type was formerly called juvenile diabetes because most commonly found in children and young adults. With type 1 the body is incapable of producing any of the insulin that it requires to function. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder meaning that the immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the body. With Type 1 diabetes, it destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. When this occurs, the body can no longer produce insulin. Those with Type 1 diabetes are required to take insulin daily for the remainder of their lives.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 was formerly called adult-onset diabetes, however children too can get this form of the disease. With type 2, the body still produces some insulin, but an insufficient amount to control blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes

Pregnant women are the only people who get gestational diabetes, which commonly occurs at some point in the latter stages of a pregnancy. Hormonal changes occurring in the woman’s body are the cause of it.

Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are:

FatigueUnexplained weight lossBlurred vision Excessive thirstPersistent hungerFrequent urinationMinor cuts and abrasions that won’t heal.

Diabetes risk factors include:

Improper dietObesitySedentary lifestyleFamily history of diabetesBeing 45 years or olderHDL cholesterol below 35High triglycerides (250 mg/dL or more)Impaired glucose toleranceHigh blood pressure (greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg)Diabetes during a previous pregnancyBeing of African, Native American, Hispanic, or Asian decent

Treatment for diabetes includes:

DietExerciseWeight controlTaking insulin and other medicationsKeeping blood pressure under controlLowering your cholesterol levels

A major lifestyle change, especially if you are older, can be very difficult. However, if you discover that you have diabetes, you had better get yourself ready to change. Remember, diabetes is not a death sentence, you just have to start taking better care of yourself which we all should be doing anyway.

Diabetes is a disease that affects many Americans today, and it is important that it is diagnosed as early as possible. The earlier the disease is diagnosed and treated, the easier it is to treat. For this reason, it is important that you know the diabetes symptoms that occur. This way if you are dealing with any of these symptoms, you can quickly get the help that you need to combat this deadly disease.

Extreme Thirst

One of the main symptoms of diabetes that you may experience is extreme thirst. This is a common symptom, whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. When this occurs, you may feel like you are not able to drink enough, even though you are drinking more water than you usually do. The body takes more water from the blood when you have diabetes and it means you can quickly become dehydrated, leading to the feeling that you have to drink a lot more.

Frequent Urination

Along with the extreme thirst, you will find frequent urination is another of the diabetes symptoms that you may experience. When you have too much glucose within the blood stream, then you can end up going to the bathroom more than usual. All the glucose often can’t be dealt with by the kidneys, so they take out more water to dilute it. This keeps you going to the bathroom on a regular basis.

Fatigue or Weakness

Fatigue or weakness, or both, can end up being a symptom of diabetes as well. Since the glucose isn’t being used by your body’s cells, you don’t get the energy that your body needs. The glucose just stays within the blood. This makes your cells think they are starved for energy and you begin to feel very tired.

Numbness and Tingling in Extremities

Usually this is a symptom that happens in people that have been dealing with diabetes for some time. Over time all the glucose in the blood stream can cause damage to the nervous system. This especially affects the extremities, such as the feet, legs, and the hands. You may experience tingling in these areas or numbness. When you better control your blood sugar, such as with a good diabetes diet, you may see these symptoms improve.

These are just a few of the diabetes symptoms that can occur. There are several other symptoms that can occur as well, such as bruising, taking a long time to heal, a lot of infections, or itchy and dry skin. Blurry vision can even be a symptom as well. Going on a good diabetes diet, exercising, and taking any medications provided by your physician can help to alleviate many of these symptoms.