Could you name these diabetes symptoms?
You’ve all seen the joke play out on your social feed. A delicious dish snapshot posted alongside an ill-thought-out comment to the effect of, “this donut is diabetes on a plate”. But, this chronic condition isn’t a joke to more than one million Australians who live with it.
In fact, diabetes has a range of complex factors that interact to cause the disease to develop. And, researchers still can’t pinpoint what these are. But they do know that it’s not caused by ‘eating too much sugar’ as the common misconception would have us believe! There are different types of diabetes which each have different factors which influence whether or not you are at risk of developing the disease. Let’s look a bit closer at what diabetes is and what causes each type.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious and chronic condition. One in 17 Australians live with some form of the disease, and unfortunately this number is growing. While each type of diabetes is different, the disease is characterised by the body’s inability to produce enough – or any – insulin to control its blood glucose levels. Insulin is produced in the pancreas, a strange-shaped organ which lies behind the stomach. When there is not enough insulin in the blood, our bodies can’t break down our food into energy for our cells to use. This then leads to other dangerous complications, health issues and even death, in the worst of cases.
There are three main types of diabetes in Australia.
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
There are also a number of rare types of diabetes, such as diabetes insipidus. The name diabetes insipidus is a bit misleading however, as the condition itself is caused by an issue with brain hormone, vasopressin, rather than insulin production.
What causes diabetes?
We still don’t yet know what causes diabetes to develop in some people but not others. Here’s more about what we do know on how each type develops.
| Type 1 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes | Gestational diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| There is no known cause yet for type 1 diabetes. It’s an autoimmune disease which attacks the insulin-producing
cells in the pancreas, causing them to permanently shut down. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes and people with type 1 will need insulin for the rest of their lives. Researchers are getting closer to discovering how both genetic and environmental factors might cause someone to develop type 1 diabetes. | There is no known cause for type 2 diabetes, but it is associated with lifestyle factors we can modify. There is also
a genetic link which can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Through eating a nutritious diet, following exercise recommendations, and maintaining a healthy weight people can give themselves the best chance of preventing type 2 diabetes or reversing their type 2 diabetes diagnosis. | As the name suggests, this type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy only. It usually resolves at the baby’s birth. Some women are more likely to get gestational diabetes than others. It is caused by hormones in the placenta inadvertently blocking the mother’s insulin from working effectively. |
What are the diabetes symptoms to look out for?
Leaving diabetes undiagnosed can be dangerous and lead to serious health complications or even coma or death. That’s why it’s important to have an awareness of some of the key signs of diabetes, so you know when to seek medical help.
Type 1 diabetes symptoms
The signs of type 1 diabetes can occur quite rapidly, however can sometimes be overlooked or mistaken for something else, for example drinking and urinating more because the weather is hot.
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Tiredness and lethargy
- Constant hunger
- Having cuts that heal slowly, itching and/or skin infections
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Leg cramps.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you need to see a GP. In the early days of diabetes history, doctors would have to taste urine for sweetness to diagnose the disease. Now, it’s simple to diagnose through a fingerprick blood sample.
If untreated, type 1 diabetes symptoms will eventually develop into a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This means the body has started to burn fat for energy, since it can’t get the energy it needs from the sugars in our food. Diabetic ketoacidosis means the body is creating ketones, a harmful chemical substance released into the blood and urine. If someone is in diabetic ketoacidiosis, they may experience some or all of the following:
- Rapid breathing
- Flushed cheeks
- Abdominal pain
- Sweet-smelling or acetone breath
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Coma or death
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency, and you will need to contact a healthcare professional or go straight to your local emergency department.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms
People with type 2 diabetes often display no symptoms. However, as the disease progresses untreated, symptoms can be very similar to type 1 diabetes symptoms.
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Tiredness and lethargy
- Constant hunger
- Having cuts that heal slowly, itching and/or skin infections
- Blurred vision
- Gradual weight gain
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Leg cramps.
If you’re seeing these symptoms in yourself or someone else, you’ll need to see a GP. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed through a standard blood test or an oral glucose tolerance test, where you’ll have a blood test, then drink a very sweet liquid before having further blood tests done.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, it’s a good idea to check your type 2 diabetes risk, using this quick AUSDRISK calculator which calculates your risk of type 2 diabetes in the next five years.
Gestational diabetes symptoms
Typically, women with gestational diabetes won’t have any symptoms. Your healthcare team will usually identify the condition through a routine oral glucose tolerance test which usually takes place around the 24-28 week mark. However, sometimes women may experience these symptoms:
- Increased thirst
- Excessive urination
- Tiredness
- Thrush (yeast infections).
An oral glucose tolerance test to diagnose gestational diabetes takes place at a pathology collection centre. A pregnant woman will have a blood test (after fasting), then drink a very sweet-tasting glucose drink, followed by one or two further blood tests.
If a mother has had gestational diabetes before, she will generally take the oral glucose tolerance test much earlier in future pregnancies. This is because there is an increased risk of developing the condition again.
Have you been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes?
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or are at risk of this, your CBHS cover can help you live better. Check out Diabetes health guide for more information on our programs and services for people with diabetes, including:
- A type 2 diabetes Better Living program, to help you better manage your condition
- Cover for insulin pumps and blood glucose supplies
- Programs to help you find a healthy weight
- Extras cover for providers that are important for the health of people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes e.g. podiatrists, psychologists and optometry products.
Sources
https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/diabetes-insipidus
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/gestational-diabetes
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/diabetes-gestational
https://www.cbhs.com.au/mind-and-body/diabetes
All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified health care professional.