What are the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus
- Intense thirst.
- Frequent urination, particularly at night.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Increased appetite.
- Fatigue.
- Slow-healing wounds.
What are the risk factors of Diabetes Mellitus
Certain factors increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes.
Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes:
- Family history of type 1 diabetes (genetic predisposition).
- Younger age – higher likelihood of being diagnosed as a child, teenager, or young adult.
Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes:
- Family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Overweight.
- Unhealthy diet.
- Physically inactive.
- Smoking.
Are people with diabetes more prone to cold and other illnesses?
High blood sugars weaken the person’s immunity and result in more frequent infections such as colds, skin infections, urine infections, boils, and abscesses. Hence, it is important to have good glucose control.
Can type 2 diabetes go away? And if my blood sugar becomes normal, do I still have diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a genetic condition or pre-disposition that doesn’t change with treatment. But diabetes is defined as an elevated blood sugar.
When your blood sugar is normal with no treatment, then the diabetes is considered to have gone away. However, even when the blood sugars are controlled, because type 2 diabetes is a genetic condition, the predisposition for diabetes always exists. High blood sugars can come back.
If you have type 2 diabetes and the blood sugar is controlled during treatment (diet, exercise and medications), it means that the treatment plan is working. You are getting the good blood sugar because of the treatment – NOT because diabetes predisposition has gone away. You will need to continue your treatment; otherwise your blood sugar will go back up.
Will I need to take insulin if I have type 2 diabetes?
Maybe. Historically, 30% or more of people with type 2 diabetes required insulin therapy. However there are many new drugs available that may delay or prevent the need for insulin therapy. It is expected that fewer and fewer individuals will need insulin replacement to control their blood sugars..
If I have type 2 diabetes can I stop taking diabetes medications if I eliminate candy and cookies from my diet?
If you eliminate concentrated sources of carbohydrates (foods that turn into sugar in your blood stream) like candy and cookies, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for diabetes medications. Everyone with type 2 diabetes will benefit from an improved diet, but you may still need other interventions, such as increased physical activity, weight loss or medications to keep your blood sugars in the target range. Check with your doctor about any diabetes medication dose adjustments that may be required if you change your diet.
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Do I need to see an endocrinologist?
“While diabetes is an endocrine disease and falls under the specialty of an endocrinologist, there are only 3,000 of us in the U.S. who treat diabetes,” says Nicholas Argento, M.D., an endocrinologist with Maryland Endocrine near Baltimore who has type 1 diabetes. Do the math: 25 million people have diabetes; there are not nearly enough endocrinologists. “Most people with type 2 diabetes, especially in the early years, can partner with a primary care provider who takes an active interest in their diabetes,” Argento says. Make sure your doctor keeps up-to-date and provides you with care in sync with current guidelines. Be active in your care and ask questions.
People who are obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. True or False?
Those with increased body fat are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. Risk is greatest for those with excess fat carried around the waist. These people are also at increased risk for hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and heart disease compared with those who are lean or carry fat around the hips.