Diabetes affects millions of people. When a person has type-2 diabetes, the body is unable to respond correctly to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance. Due to insulin resistance, the blood sugar does not get into the cells to be used for energy. When sugar cannot get into the cells, high level of sugar accumulates in the blood. Often type 2 diabetes goes unrecognized. The increased amount of sugar in the blood acts like poison. That is why it is often called ‘silent killer’. People with family history of diabetes, low activity level, overweight, poor diet are more susceptible to diabetes. The easiest way to know if you have diabetes is to get your blood sugar levels tested. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your physician.
Warning Signs of Diabetes:
Increased Urination
When there is extra glucose present in the blood, the kidneys try to flush it out of the blood by producing more urine and you feel the urge to urinate more frequently. So if you often get up during the night to visit the loo, then you could be suffering from diabetes.
Excessive Thirst
Frequent urination causes you to lose of a lot of fluid and as a result you become dehydrated. Your mouth becomes dry and you feel thirsty frequently as the body tries to replenish the lost fluid. This is body’s way of managing high blood sugar. Thus, excessive thirst can also be a symptom of type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss
High blood sugar level can result in rapid weight loss. As cells are not getting enough glucose, which is required to produce energy, the body begins to break down protein as an alternative from your muscles thinking it is starving. Also, if you are urinating frequently, you are losing water because the kidneys are working hard to eliminate excess sugar; you lose more calories which results in unexplained weight loss.
Increased Hunger
Due to insulin resistance, insulin levels in the body become high and make the brain feel hungry and crave more.
Foot Pain And Numbness
Numbness in the hands and feet accompanied by burning pain and swelling could be the symptom of diabetes. If blood sugar levels are not controlled for a long period, nerve damage can be permanent. So it necessary to control blood sugar as quickly as possible.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision can be another symptom of diabetes. Burred vision can occur when there is significant change in blood sugar level. The good news is that this symptom is reversible once blood sugar level is under control. But if you let your blood sugar level go unchecked for a long period, glucose can cause permanent damage to the eyes, even blindness. And this condition is not reversible.
Frequent Infection
Diabetes is an immunosuppressed state which means, people with high glucose level are highly susceptible to different types of infection like yeast infection and fungal infection as both fungi and bacteria usually flourish in sugar-rich environment.
Skin Problems
Itchy dry skin can also be a symptom of diabetes. If you notice darkening of skin around your neck, it could also be a symptom for diabetes.
Slow Healing
If infections, bruises and cuts do not heal quickly, this could be another sign of diabetes. This is because blood vessels get damaged due to excess amount of glucose that starts traveling around the arteries and veins. Thus, the blood cannot reach different parts of the body freely to heal the wounds.
Type 2 diabetes can cause serious health conditions. It is highly important to know the warning signs of diabetes. If you have any of these warning signs you must get tested for diabetes. Once diagnosed with diabetes, one must keep the symptoms under control. Getting early treatment can prevent serious complications.