diabetes

5 signs of diabetes you don't know


Type 2 diabetes is a common condition about insulin levels that affects more and more people in the world. A 2017 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 30.3 million adults in the United States have diabetes, and it was also estimated that about 84.1 million American adults have prediabetes.

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Drink Water

Blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes are higher than normal, and according to the CDC, people with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, non insulin dependent diabetes, within 5 years if they don’t start changing habits of life. The start of type 2 diabetes could be silent, and some symptoms would be acute and slightly unnoticeable during the first stages. Just for that, many people may not realize they have this condition.

In this article we show the most common early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and the importance of early diagnosis. We also show the principales risk factors for developing this condition.

The first signs and symptoms

The most common first signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes could be:

1. Frequent urination

When blood sugar levels are above the limit for problems with insulin, the kidneys will try to lower the blood sugar by cleaning the blood. It will lead to an increase in needing to urinate, especially at night.

2. Increased thirst

The frequent urination required to remove excess sugar from the blood can cause the body to lose extra water. Over time, this can cause dehydration and make a person thirstier than normal.

3. Feeling hungry all the time

People with diabetes usually can’t get enough energy from the food they eat. The digestive system needs food, especially  simple sugar called glucose, which the body uses for energy. For this reason, people with diabetes usually feel constantly hungry, even if they’ve just eaten. 

4. Feeling very tired

Type 2 diabetes could decrease a person’s energy levels and make them feel really fatigued. This tiredness is the result of low blood sugar from the bloodstream that affects the body’s cells.

diabetes
Signs of Diabetes

5. Blurred vision

When the sugar in the blood gets high levels for a long time could damage the small blood vessels inside the eyes, causing  decreased visual acuity. This blurred vision could happen in one or both eyes  If a person with diabetes does not receive treatment, the damage of the eyes’ blood vessels can be more severe,  leading to permanent vision loss.

6. Slow healing of cuts and wounds

High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels in the body, which can affect blood circulation. And this means that even small cuts and wounds can take weeks or months to heal. Slow wound healing also increases the risk of infection.

7. Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet

High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and cause nerve damage in the body. In people with type 2 diabetes, this can cause pain or tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. This condition is known as neuropathy, and it can worsen over time and lead to more serious complications if a person does not receive treatment for their diabetes.

8. Patches of dark skin

Patches of dark skin that form in the folds of the neck, armpit, or groin can also signify an increased risk of diabetes. These patches can feel very soft and velvety. This skin condition is known as acanthosis nigricans.

9. Itching and Fungal Infections

Excess sugar in the blood and urine provides food for yeast, which can cause a yeast infection. Fungal infections tend to occur in warm, moist areas of skin such as the mouth, genital areas, and armpits. The affected areas are often itchy, but a person may also experience burning, redness, and pain.

Importance of early diagnosis

An early diagnosis can help you prevent complications. Recognizing the early signs of type 2 diabetes can help you get an early diagnosis and treatment. Getting the right treatment, despite the effects of insulin and types of insulin, making lifestyle changes, and managing your blood sugar levels can greatly improve your health and quality of life, and reduce your risk of complications.

Without treatment, the blood sugar will get high levels that  can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, including:

  • heart disease
  • stroke
  • nerve damage or neuropathy
  • foot problems
  • kidney disease, which can cause a person to need dialysis
  • eye disease or vision loss
  • sexual problems in men and women

Untreated diabetes can also lead to hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, which causes severe and persistent elevations in blood sugar levels, that is often caused by illness or infection and may require hospitalization with insulin therapy. This sudden complication tends to affect older people. Controlling blood sugar is essential to prevent some of these complications. The longer you leave your blood sugar level uncontrolled, the higher your risk of other health problems.

Conclusion

Diabetes is an alteration between insulin and glucose in the blood that affects millions of people worldwide. The early diagnosis is crucial to decrease the consequences of diabetes, just with an insulin blood test or sugar blood test you could know if you are at risk of suffering from diabetes. 

diabetes

FAQ 

What is long lasting insulin?

It’s a long acting insulin prescribed for different types of diabetes.  Its effect lasts for several hours, controlling levels of sugar blood. 

Is it common that patients with type 2 diabetes use  insulin for treatment? 

It’s not common, the first line of treatment is oral antiglycemic drugs. When it doesn’t work, it’s necessary to change the treatment with insulin. 

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a condition when pancreas doesn’t produce insulin to decrease the levels of sugar blood. 

“Disclaimer: This article is just information and was not written to give any advice or replace any professional indication. Any doubt you have please consult a doctor”

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