A Guide To Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms

The condition where body has higher level of blood glucose levels is known as Diabetes Mellitus. In type-1 diabetes mellitus, there is impairment in insulin production by pancreas, leading to higher glucose levels in the body. It starts during the childhood, and some people outgrow it by adulthood. Best way to cure this diabetes is with the help of a proper diet plan and insulin shots. Type-2 is adult onset diabetes, and is an acquired condition. Some of the factors leading to this type of diabetes are smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and improper eating habits. In this type of diabetes, there is enough insulin in the body, but the cells are not capable of receiving glucose for utilization. There are some acute and long-term complications of diabetes mellitus such as diabetic coma, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart attack and stroke.

Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms

The person may not always show the diabetes mellitus symptoms, especially for type-2, because it develops slowly over the years due to too much stress in the body.

Two of the most common diabetes mellitus symptoms are frequent thirst, or polydipsia and increased urination, or polyuria. Due to increased level of glucose in the body, water is removed from the cells to maintain the electrolyte balance. This outward flow of water causes the dehydration of the cells, and triggers the brain to feel thirsty. More water consumption leads to frequent urination, and this cycle continues till the blood glucose level falls down.

Another common diabetes mellitus symptom is extreme hunger or polyphagia. As body tries to balance the electrolytes and other body fluids, it triggers the feeling of hunger, making you want to eat. But, more you eat, the condition becomes worse, especially if you consume more carbohydrates.

Feeling that you are going to have flu is another diabetes mellitus symptom. You tend to lose your appetite, and feel quite weak and feverish. This happens because the body is not able to absorb sufficient glucose in the cells. Glucose is the main ingredient responsible for production of energy inside cell, and if the glucose supply is impaired, it gives the feeling of weakness and fatigue.

Another diabetes mellitus symptom is the blurred vision. High level of glucose makes the water move outward from the cells. As eye lenses are also cells, outward migration of water affects the shape of the cell, and vision. The vision becomes normal after the blood glucose level is regulated.

There is no cure for diabetes, it just needs management with the help of healthy diet, regular exercise, and medications.