Type 2 diabetes is characterized for being a chronic disease that usually occurs in adulthood. It is caused when the production of insulin is insufficient or when the body becomes insensitive to it. Insulin is required to transport the sugars ingested in daily diets into cells, where they are metabolized or stored for later use.
Diabetes is diagnosed through symptoms and blood tests. However, some of the characteristic symptoms may be caused by other diseases. Let’s take a minute to see what other diseases can cause them. Never self-diagnose, talk to you doctor instead — he or she will be able to determine if you are diabetic.
Anemia
Because metabolism is affected in diabetes, fatigue and weakness can accompany the condition. Anemia is a condition that develops when the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is low. Hemoglobin is part of the red blood cells; it’s a protein located on the surface of the cells and has the task of transporting oxygen throughout the body via the bloodstream. If there are too few cells or hemoglobin is low, there will not be a lot of oxygen being transported. This is reflected in the body as fatigue, which occurs because organs are not getting enough oxygen to function properly.
Atherosclerosis
In diabetes, the chronic high levels of glucose can narrow and harden blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy is a common symptom of diabetes, and occurs when the retinal blood vessels are narrowed and/or hardened. Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by the hardening of blood vessels, particularly arteries. Plaque made from fats, cell debris, calcium, fibrin and cholesterol builds up on the artery walls, causing the diameter of the artery to reduce in size and as a result blood flow is reduced as well. Like in diabetes, a common symptom of atherosclerosis is retinopathy.
Raynaud’s Disease
This is a rare disorder of the blood vessels, which usually happens in the fingertips and toes. It causes the blood vessels to narrow in the cold or in episodes of stress. When it happens, blood can’t get to the surface of the skin, making it look white or blue. Once the blood returns, the skin tingles and turns red. In severe cases, the loss of blood flow can cause tissue death. Diabetics may experience neuropathy, a common symptom of diabetes. Neuropathy, like Raynaud’s disease, has symptoms of tingling in the hands and feet.
So, if you experience any of theses symptoms it doesn’t mean you have diabetes. Remember: Don’t self-diagnose, talk to your doctor first.
Just to be sure: Talk to your doctor first.
[expand title = References]
Livestrong. Diseases with symptoms similar to diabetes. Accessed February 1, 2017.
WebMD. Anemia. Accessed February 1, 2017.
American Heart Associations. Atherosclerosis. Accessed February 1, 2017.
Medline Plus. Raynaud’s Disease. Accessed February 1, 2017.
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