Lately, I have been extremely thirsty. I do not know what is wrong with me! I weight a normal weight. I thought it might be early signs of diabetes - but i wasn't sure. I know that none of you can diagnose me, but any opinions?
thanks!
and by the way, my sister and dad both have diabetes - the one where they need to have sugar at certain points of the day or something!
DepthofHeart answered Monday March 19 2007, 6:33 pm: Being excessively thirsty is an early sign of diabetes, but then again you could just be dehydrated. If your sister and your dad both have diabetes then it's pobably genetic to you have a higher chance of getting it. Here are some of the other early symptoms:
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes often appear after a flu-like illness and gradually intensify over the course of a few weeks. Typical features may include:
Increased thirst and frequent urination. With type 1 diabetes, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your bloodstream. A high level of blood glucose pulls water from your body's tissues, making you thirsty. As a result, you drink more fluids and urinate more. The excess sugar in your bloodstream passes through your kidneys and leaves your body in your urine.
Extreme hunger. The basic defect in type 1 diabetes — an inability to produce insulin, the hormone necessary for glucose to enter cells and fuel their functions — leaves your muscles and organs energy depleted. That triggers intense hunger. Eating fills your stomach, but the hunger persists because, without insulin, the glucose produced from dietary carbohydrates never reaches your body's energy-starved tissues.
Weight loss. Despite eating a lot to relieve their constant hunger, people with type 1 diabetes lose weight, sometimes rapidly. That's because the body's cells are deprived of glucose and energy as glucose is lost into the urine. Without the energy glucose supplies, cells die at an increased rate before they can divide and replace themselves. Muscle tissues and fat stores shrink, and body weight declines.
Blurred vision. A high level of blood glucose pulls fluid from all your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. The decrease in fluid affects your ability to focus.
Fatigue. When your cells are deprived of glucose, you become tired and irritable. [ DepthofHeart's advice column | Ask DepthofHeart A Question ]
isis answered Monday March 19 2007, 6:22 pm: If you are concerned, have a family history of diabetes and/or have other symptoms, you need to see a doctor for a test. In some areas you can have a finger prick test at a pharmacy.
This isn't something you should delay on. If you do have it, you can start on a suitable diet and treatment sooner. If you don't have it, it will stop you worrying about it.
Good luck. [ isis's advice column | Ask isis A Question ]
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