- Heart disease, including a higher risk of strokes
- Loss of vision or complete blindness
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Neuropathy or dead tissue in your extremities
These health problems develop slowly and can be either significantly decreased or stopped with diabetes treatment. Catching early symptoms of diabetes is also important because it can help those in the African American community know when they need care or special attention.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes
There are many symptoms that may indicate diabetes. These can vary heavily depending on the person and the severity of your condition. If you or someone you love is worried about diabetes, it is essential to pay attention to symptoms like:
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss or weight fluctuations
- Exhaustion and weakness, even with rest
- Mood changes and surprising irritability
- Blurred vision or other vision problems
- Slow-healing sores on the body
- Infections throughout the gums, skin, and other sensitive areas
- Coldness in many extremities caused by poor circulation
Three Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is not a singular disease but three separate conditions that produce similar symptoms. Each has varying intensity levels, but all three are potentially dangerous if not caught early and treated. The three diabetes types to watch for include:
- Type 1 – Type 1 diabetes occurs early in a person’s life when their immune system attacks their pancreas. This disease is not preventable and occurs in 5-10% of all cases. It also cannot be reversed, as type 2 diabetes may be in some situations.
- Type 2 – Type 2 diabetes may occur at any point and is usually triggered by excessive weight gain and diet. It is preventable and can be reversed by controlling weight gain and exercising more regularly. It affects 90 to 95 percent of people who have diabetes.
- Gestational Diabetes – Gestational diabetes develops in women who are pregnant and disappears after they give birth. However, some women may have lingering diabetes symptoms and may be at a higher risk of developing type two diabetes after pregnancy.
What Causes Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs for many reasons. Type 1 may occur if a child has a genetic predisposition toward diabetes, including a family history of diabetes. Its triggering cause is mysterious and not always easy to predict beyond that connection to family history.
Type 2 is almost always caused by poor diet and minimal exercise, especially weight gain. The pancreas starts to malfunction because of high sugar levels, which puts a larger demand on it than normal. This can cause the pancreas to slow its function and may even stop it from working.
Gestational diabetes occurs because of the higher demand for insulin placed on a woman’s body due to the baby. As the baby develops, its body needs insulin. The mother may, therefore, eat more food and synthesize higher levels of insulin to provide for the baby, tiring the pancreas.
Type 2 remains the most common type in the African American community due to socioeconomic factors like highly processed diets, fast food, minimal chances for exercise, and poor access to healthcare facilities. Treatment can help minimize or even reverse type 2 and gestational diabetes.