Diabetes

[Swirad]

I dont like to do a self-diagnosis but what are the symptoms and dangers of diabetes? I have to go for a diabetes check. I have dizzy/faint spells that can only be cured by chocolate/something sweet. I am forever tired and nod off as soon as I get home. I had perfect eyesight which is now blurred over a distance and up until very recently I had a rash/itch at top of my legs for maybe 8 months (now gone). From what I have read I have a lot of the symptoms. What changes in lifestyle are involved / dangers involved if I find I now have diabetes?

[cosyrosy]

diabetes is one of those things you really shouldn't second guess- its easily controllable these days but the consequences of ignoring it can be very serious- see

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/diabetes.htm

most noticable common symptoms are sudden weight loss and a tendency to wee for england!!

dizzy spells could just be a low blood pressure problem- either way you need a doctor asap

good luck!

[cosyrosy]

p.s. the MOST obvious symptom is a tendency for your breath to smell of acetone (pear drops or nail polish remover smell )

[jrtv]

It's only a small pin prick to test your blood, if you have diabetes then it's a compleate diet change so chocolate is out and exercise in.

[cliffsdoll]

yes weeing a lot is one of the symptoms and so is being constantly thirsty, you can buy a blood sugar level testing kit from the chemist, feeling faint is probably something else but as cosyrosy said see your gp. good luck

[irilys]

Go to your GP, explained everything and insist on getting tests done. Even if it turns out not to be diabetes (which I hope for you), it's best not to delay and to be sure asap.

Best of luck
irilys

[sammd]

Swirad - i have the same symptoms as you (apart from the rash). If you find out the cause please post it here!

[alijangra]

The fact that eating something sweet relieves your symptoms does not indicate diabetes. Your blood sugar levels will already be too high and this will make it worse. I can understand why you are linking the need for sugar with diabetes but this is what happens when diabetics either on medication or insulin take their dose but do not eat sufficiently afterwards.

The main symptoms are exteme thirst, excess urine production and weight loss.

Im not saying you dont have it, as conditions manifest themelves in many different ways. Its just the whole eating something sweet relieving your symptoms is the opposite of what would be expected.

[Big Al1st]

It sounds as if you may have Hyperglcemia which similar to a diabetic going into an insulin coma. I have had this condition for many years and it is treated by eating suger/glucose when required.

Try reading http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/

However I MUST STRESS, you should go to the Doctors. If you have the above no problems, but diabetes is a killer, if not treated, and it is easily treated, with many thousands leading a normal life. So please go to tyhe doctors and keep us all posted.

[WendyS]

Some of the symptoms sound like Diabetes but the only way to find out is to visit your GP for a check. Incidentally a lot of Chemists Shops and Pharmacies also offer a free diabetes test these days. It only takes a couple of minutes and a tiny pin prick of blood taken from a thumb. So please get yourself tested quickly. Treatment for diabetes is either tablets or insulin and it can be serious to ignore the symptoms as it's possible to go into a coma if you're not taking regular medication and having regular meals. If you try Googling Diabetes diagnosis and treatment I'm sure you'll find lots of useful information.

[Swirad]

Thanks for all your assistance and advice. Im going for a blood test today at the local hospital so will let you all know the outcome. Worst thing is my family think Im a lazy so and so for falling asleep every evening but I could have 8/9 hours sleep and then fall asleep twice during the day at weekends. Almost every evening I nod off for an hour or so after work unless I try extremely hard to stay awake.

I will let you know all, when I do!

[alijangra]

Sorry big Al but you are wrong! You are speaking about HYPOglycaemia as your link suggests. This is when your sugar levels are to low. HYPERglycaemia is when levels are too high and is not relieved by eating more sugar.

[alijangra]

Its amazing you have had this condition for years but have called it the wrong name!

[Big Al1st]

Point taken. It was a typo error. The link is correct and is what I should have put in the first place.

Must have known what I meant as I found it on Google.Anyway thanks for pointing it out.

[Swirad]

Just to let people who were kind enough to reply I am not suffering the symptoms any more but after various tests did not have diabetes. Had various blood tests which all were negative. Also no longer have dizzy spells through lack of chocolate. I cant explain - perhaps its all down to diet?????