SYMPTOMATOLOGY

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Alopecia

PRESENT NOT PRESENT 

DESCRIPTION

Hair loss is considered to be one of the first symptoms of diabetes, and can become worse as the condition takes control of the body. Because the body's recovery rate is slower than normal, the re-growth of hair is impaired, and as a result, the diabetes-sufferer is left with hair loss, or thinning hair.

(Diabetessymptomsonline, 2011) Weight Loss  Despite an increased appetite, weight loss occurs because the cells are not receiving the nutrition they require and the glucose, along with its calories, is being washed away with the urine rather than being absorbed by the body (Diabetessymptomsonline, 2011).

Pruritus

Pruritus

is

common

unpleasant

sensation, accompanied frequently by scratching. In diabetes it affects the nervous system and alters the

perception of sensation in the body. It can also be due to dry skin and fungal skin infections (V. Peharda, F. Gruber, M. Ka telan, I. Brajac and L. 2000). Diarrhea  Patients with a longstanding history of diabetes may experience frequent abrijan,

diarrhea, and this has been reported to occur in up to 22% of patients. This may be related to problems in the small bowel or colon. Abnormally rapid transit of fluids may occur in the colon, leading to increased stool frequency and

urgency. In addition, abnormalities in the absorption and secretion of colonic fluid may develop, leading to increased stool volume, frequency, and water content. (Wolosin and Edelman, 2000) Hypertension  Hypertension occurs because of a narrowing in the arteries. In diabetics,

this can be caused by continued and consistently high blood glucose levels (a good reason to keep blood sugar levels under control). When the blood flow is restricted, the blood pressure increases 2011). Dry skin and lips Sunken eye balls Poor Skin turgor   Dehydration. The buildup of sugar in the blood can cause an increase in urination (to try to clear the sugar from the body). When the kidneys lose the sugar  through the urine, a large (type2diabetesguide.com,

amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration (Diabetessymptomsonline, 2011).

Polyuria (Increase urination)

Too

much

glucose

in

the

blood

(hyperglycemia) that the tubules in the kidney that normally reabsorb every drop of glucose cannot cope with the increased load and are said to be saturated so some glucose ends up in the urine. This increases the osmotic pressure of the urine which means that

it is harder for water to leave the urine back into the body. Hence polyuria (increased volume of urine) is

experienced by the diabetic (Wikipidea, 2008)

Polydipsia (Increase thirst)

Excessive thirst. It is characteristic of several different conditions, including diabetes mellitus, in which an excessive concentration of glucose in the blood osmotically pulls intracellular fluid into the bloodstream and increases the excretion of fluid via increased urination, which leads to hypovolemia and thirst (Elsevier, 2009).

Polyphagia (Increase Hunger)

The polyphagia comes about as the result of your bodys cells starving as they cant utilize the glucose thats present. In an attempt to survive, your body goes into the misguided belief that you are starving. Hence you want to eat more (Micks, 2010).

Crackles

An adventitious breath sound heard on ausculating the chest, produced by air passing over airway secretions. A crackle is a discontinuous sound, as opposed to a wheeze, which is

continuous (NN, 2006). Cough  The cough reflex, a vagus-mediated respiratory protective reflex, was

investigated in diabetics and healthy controls by establishing a cough reflex threshold to increasing concentrations of citric acid aerosol. This difference suggests vagal (parasympathetic)

denervation of the respiratory tract, with possible serious consequences, hitherto little appreciated (Behera, Das, Dash, Jindal, 1995). Flank Pain  Flank pain is a sensation of discomfort, distress, or agony in the part of the body below the rib and above the ilium, generally beginning posteriorly or in the midaxillary line and resulting from the stimulation of specialized nerve

endings upon distention of the ureter or renal capsule. (Bueschen, 1990) Gastric Pain  Acid irritation of the to stomach or

esophagus

leads

heartburn,

indigestion, and a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, or dyspepsia (Wolosin and Edelman, 2000). Body Malaise  In diabetes, the body is inefficient and sometimes unable to use glucose for fuel. The body switches over to

metabolizing fat, partially or completely, as a fuel source. This process requires the body to use more energy. The end result is feeling fatigued or constantly tired (Emedicinehealth, 2011).