Free Diabetic Supplies

Diabetes has become a disease that is more and more common both in children and adults.  With the advent of more cases of diabetes, there are more and varied treatments of the disease including a variety  of medications and a lot of good suggestions regarding diet and exercise, which can often help control diabetes without medication.

How do you know if you might have diabetes?  There are some specific signs and symptoms to look at that point to the possibility that you might have diabetes and need to check with your doctor. 

There are three main symptoms that are usually classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.  They are frequent urination, increased or excessive thirst and increased appetite.  Sometimes symptoms develop very quickly – over a period of weeks or months – especially in children and young people.  Another symptom may be weight loss – even if the individual is eating well and eating more than usual.  Excessive fatigue that is impossible to overcome can be a symptom, as well.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be the same, however, they develop much more slowly and subtly and may not even be noticeable for quite a long time.  This is often a reason that people are not aware that they could be developing or have developed the disease, and do not realize they have diabetes until the disease is more advanced. 

Other symptoms are dehydration (even though the person is drinking extra liquids), glucose in urine (determined by a urine test), vision changes – especially blurred vision – which can come on gradually (usually with Type 2) or rapidly (usually with Type 1) and should be addressed immediately to avoid permanent damage, and sometimes urea leading to very bad breath, rapid, deep breathing, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

If you or your child/teen are experiencing any of these symptoms or a combination of them, it is important to see your doctor.  With a few tests the doctor can determine what the problem is and if it is diabetes, or another medical issue or simply an imbalance.  The doctor will determine how to treat your symptoms, which could include diet changes and/or medication or both.

Regardless of the treatment, there have been many improvements in working with and treating diabetes, and with the right treatment, you can live a long, healthy and normal life.