Millions of people around the world suffer from diabetes. Sometimes, diabetes is caused by poor lifestyle choices – like an unhealthy diet and the lack of exercise. In other cases, diabetes is a hereditary problem.
In any case, it’s important to recognize the early warning signs of diabetes so that you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Diabetes might not be a reversible condition, but it can be managed with the assistance of a doctor.
Types of diabetes
First, it’s important to understand the distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes requires regular injections of insulin and it is generally passed down genetically. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, affects 90% of diabetes sufferers and is caused by a combination of an unhealthy lifestyle and family history.
With both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the body cannot effectively manage its own insulin levels. Insulin regulates blood sugar, and when the body’s blood has too much sugar, it can poison the body.
There is also a third type of diabetes called gestational diabetes which affects women during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition and it is relatively common, occurring in approximately 3% of all pregnancies. Gestational diabetes increases the risk that both the mother and the child will develop diabetes in the future.
Finally, a diabetes-linked condition called prediabetes is often noticed by doctors before the patient actually develops diabetes. With prediabetes, blood glucose levels are significantly higher than normal, although they’re not quite high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.
Early warning signs of diabetes
-Excessive, unquenchable thirst
-Frequent urination
-Blurred vision
-Mild fatigue
-Females may suffer from recurring vaginal yeast infections
-Weakness throughout the body
-Tingling in the extremities, including the hands, les, and feet
-Easy weight loss without trying
-Skin that is dry and itchy
Keep in mind that diabetes sufferers rarely experience all of these symptoms. If you are experiencing two or more of these symptoms on a persistent basis, then you’ll want to visit a doctor to understand what is going on.
Unfortunately, many of those who suffer from diabetes can experience these symptoms for years without seeking treatment. Type 2 diabetes is considered a gradual onset condition, which means that its symptoms creep up slowly on sufferers.
Seeking medical treatment
Those seeking medical treatment for any of the symptoms listed above are encouraged to visit their family doctor or an urgent care center in their area. Urgent care centers like WellStreet are open for longer hours than family clinics, and they also stay open during weekends and holidays.
Once at a medical clinic, doctors can administer a simple blood test to check for diabetes. This blood test will require a fasting period to determine where your blood glucose levels sit when the body is not digesting food.
If a doctor determines that the patient is suffering from diabetes, then the doctor will recommend a number of different treatment options, including physical activity, a healthy diet, medication, and lifestyle management tips to lower blood pressure.
The medical professionals at WellStreet can help ensure your diabetes treatment proceeds as smoothly as possible with a minimal amount of discomfort. Visit WellStreet urgent care Alpharetta or urgent care Buckhead today for treatment in North Atlanta.
