Signs of Diabetes: Home & Hearth Caregivers Outlines Symptoms of Each Diabetes Type
One of the common myths of diabetes is that it’s a one-size-fits-all condition. The reality, however, is that the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment plans can differ greatly between type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. To help clarify, the Illinois senior home care experts at Home & Hearth Caregivers provide the following breakdown to help make it easier to know the different signs of diabetes and other important facts.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes, not surprisingly, is the type of diabetes that impacts pregnant women, typically displaying at around the 24th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects both the mom-to-be and her baby, and is diagnosed in almost 10% of all pregnancies.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, and was formerly referred to as juvenile diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. When these cells are destroyed, sugars cannot be removed from the blood and begin to build up – resulting in the cells beginning to starve for necessary nutritional elements, and causing other systems in the body to work to provide energy in order to keep the body functioning. The American Diabetes Association estimates that only 5% of diabetics are affected by this kind of diabetes.
Signs of type 1 diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Elevated hunger
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and occasional vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss, despite the person feeling hungry
- Lethargy
- Blurred vision
- Frequent skin and/or urinary tract infections
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes affects as many as 90-95% of diabetics. Contrary to those with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes do produce insulin; however, the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough or the person’s body can’t adequately utilize the insulin that is produced. This causes sugar to develop in the blood rather than supplying nutrition to the body’s cells.
Signs of type 2 diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Elevated hunger
- Dry mouth
- Nausea that may include occasional vomiting
- Numbness or tingling in the feet and hands
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss, even though there are feelings of hunger
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections of the skin and/or urinary tract
Diabetes management can be tricky, especially for elder adults who have co-existing medical conditions. Working with a professional senior in-home care agency, like Home & Hearth Caregivers, can help lessen the worries and frustrations surrounding diabetes care, by providing as much or as little aid as needed. At Home & Hearth Caregivers, we begin all services with the creation of a personalized plan of care, and then update that plan ongoing as the senior’s needs change. You can reach us any time at 800-349-0663 to learn more.