ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

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.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.