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Type 2 diabetes – Effects and early warning signs

Despite widespread awareness that type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic diseases, individuals frequently go years without getting tested or diagnosed. In type 1 diabetes, our body does not produce enough insulin, and in type 2 diabetes, our bodies do not respond well to insulin and cannot regulate or metabolize blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is more common, and the number of people affected by it is rising globally.

Importance of diagnosing type 2 diabetes
There is more research required to fully understand type 2 diabetes as an increasing number of children and young adults are developing the condition. Despite its widespread prevalence, many tend to ignore it as they assume they are not at risk if they don’t meet specific criteria. On the contrary, it can affect anyone at any age, even those who are health-conscious and fit. Knowing if a person is at risk for type 2 diabetes or identifying the symptoms early can help reverse or delay its impact. If it is diagnosed only after the blood sugar becomes quite high, reversing it may take longer.

Type 2 diabetes can affect your quality of life as you must be mindful of your meals and watchful about your physical fitness all your life. It can cause depression among young children who cannot eat what they want. In terms of health implications, the condition can lead to hypertension and heart diseases, nerve damage, and it can adversely affect the kidneys and eyes. Hence, knowing the early warning signs of type 2 diabetes can save you from potentially dangerous health complications.

9 early warning signs of type 2 diabetes
Just as in any other disease, there is more than one early warning sign of type 2 diabetes. It does not affect you overnight but sets in gradually. If you ignore the early warning signs, it may lead to heightened blood sugar levels, which, in turn, will result in the need for treatment throughout your life. Here are the nine main symptoms of Type 2 diabetes that you should watch out for:

Frequent urination
A healthy adult may urinate seven to ten times during the day with an output of about 2000 mils. It is not normal if you notice that you are urinating much more than this. Doctors say that a person with diabetes may pass urine about 20 times, and the bladder could be full every time. It happens because the kidney has to work harder to flush out the sugar from your body. If it happens to you or you notice someone using the bathroom too often, it is time to opt for a test.

Constant and excessive thirst
In the initial stages of type 2 diabetes, the kidneys use up all the water in our body to make urine. If it is not enough, it takes the water stored in our tissues to make more urine to get the sugar out of our system. With so much water loss, our brain signals us to drink more water. As you drink more water to quench your thirst, you tend to urinate more. The cycle is an early warning sign of diabetes; and an indication that you must visit a doctor immediately.

Unusual hunger
Type 2 diabetes occurs when our body does not respond to insulin well and resists it. When this happens, our bodies cannot convert food into energy. The system requires energy and, as a natural reaction, signals the brain for food, and we feel hungry. We may eat a sumptuous meal, but since the food is not converted to energy, we feel hungry after eating. When you notice that eating does not relieve your hunger or give you energy, it could be a sign of diabetes.

Blurry vision
High blood sugar can cause inflammation in the body, including in our eyes. If the swelling happens in the eye, it can cause vision disturbances and blurry vision. High blood sugar can also lead to high blood pressure, adversely affecting the eye. The blurry vision may disappear when the sugar levels become normal. If you see constant changes in your vision, it can be a sign of type 2 diabetes.

Exhaustion with no apparent cause
Since type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, the glucose may not be able to enter the cells. Without sugar, the cells do not have enough energy to work and become less efficient. The cumulative lack of energy in the cells results in exhaustion, even if a person has not done anything hectic or physically taxing. Some may think it may go away on its own and ignore it. If you feel exhausted without an apparent cause, visit the doctor and get a proper diagnosis.

Frequent infections
Our immune system is responsible for fighting invading pathogens and abnormal cells. Increased blood sugar weakens our immune system, which cannot fight invading pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Frequent or recurrent infections like foot infections, urinary tract infections, fungal infections, flu, and pneumonia can be early warning signs of type 2 diabetes.

Slow healing of bruises and injuries
When blood sugar exceeds normal levels, it increases inflammation and prevents oxygen and nutrients from entering the cells. Nerves and blood vessels can also suffer some damage. If you suffer a bruise, cut, or injury, it may take longer than normal to heal as there is an inadequate supply of oxygen, nourishment, and blood to the wounded area. If you have suffered a bruise or a cut and it is taking time to heal despite proper treatment, it can be a sign of type 2 diabetes.

Tingling in hands and feet
High blood sugar damages the nerves and disrupts the signals to our hands and feet. Depending on where the damage has happened, it can result in our inability to feel hot or cold. It can also result in jabbing pain and a tingling sensation that increases at night. Some may be very sensitive to touch, with even the mildest contact causing pain and discomfort. If you feel such abnormal sensations, it can be an early warning sign of type 2 diabetes.

Changes in skin
Diabetes can cause many skin changes as it advances. But discoloration and the appearance of dark, velvety neck patches can be early warning signs of type 2 diabetes.

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