Early Signs Of Type 2 Diabetes

When your body cannot use the glucose found in the blood, you develop a condition called blood sugar or type 2 diabetes. There are many ways to predict the early signs of type 2 diabetes, from unbearable thirst to frequent hunger.

There are a range of symptoms that you need to look out for if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes. Even though a diagnosis can completely change your life, if you detect type 2 diabetes early on in life, you can easily learn to manage it.

Here are some of the early signs of type 2 diabetes:

Urinating Frequently

Commonly known as polyuria, urinating frequently or excessively shows that your high blood sugar levels are “spilling” into your urine.

This usually happens when the kidneys cannot deal with the glucose being produced in the body. Hence, they stream some of it into the urine. This process makes one urinate many times during the day, as well as at night.

Unbearable Thirst

One of the early signs of type 2 diabetes is feeling thirsty all the time. Even when you quench your thirst, you may feel like you need more water.

This is because of the high blood sugar levels in the body, along with the constant urination. This is why you may feel that your thirst is not being quenched regardless of how much you drink.

Hunger

Polyphagia, or commonly known as extreme bouts of hunger, is another symptom of type 2 diabetes.

This is because, usually, glucose found in your body helps feed the cells. Without this process, glucose cannot be absorbed by the cells. This causes the body to search for fuel, resulting in constant hunger.

Nerve Pain Or Numbness

Those who have type 2 diabetes may feel some form of tingling or numbness in their feet, hands, toes, or fingers. This is known as diabetic neuropathy and happens because of nerve damage.

Nerve pain or numbness takes place over time. It does not fall under the early signs of diabetes, but it can occur if an individual has had diabetes for a long period of time and has not made any lifestyle changes to deal with it.

Wounds Healing Slowly

When normal people get wounds, their wounds heal quickly. However, diabetic individuals may find that their wounds take much longer to heal. This is because blood vessels are narrowed because of high sugar levels found in the blood. This slows down the circulation of blood in the body, lowering the reach of nutrients and oxygen needed for a wound to heal.

If you have high blood sugar levels for a long time and this condition persists, your immune system can be damaged. This will cause your body to have a difficult time-fighting infections, and you may also get sick more often.

Blurry Vision

When diabetes is not managed, your vision may start to get blurred. This can be due to a rise in blood sugar levels. This harms the small blood vessels found in the eyes as fluid leaks into the eye’s lens. Even though the blurriness goes away over time, we would recommend seeing a doctor stay safe.

If blood sugar levels in your body are not controlled, there are higher chances of blindness in the future. One such condition is known as diabetic retinopathy.

Dark Patches On Skin

If you have ever noticed discolored folds in your skin, you’re not mistaken- this is an actual condition called acanthosis nigricans. This indicates that you may be on the road to type 2 diabetes. Dark patches are usually found on the neck, armpits, and groin. Moreover, the skin also changes the texture and becomes thicker.

This happens because there is too much insulin in the blood. Most individuals with type 2 diabetes go through this because of the insulin resistance caused by type 2 diabetes.

Infections

Infections such as bacterial, fungal, or yeast are widespread. However, individuals who have type 2 diabetes are more likely to get them often.

This happens because of the high blood sugar found in the body. Kidneys are unable to filter this properly, which is why sugar is passed in the urine. This causes urinary tract infections, along with yeast infections. Moreover, people with type 2 diabetes may also suffer from gum and skin infections.

Bacterial infections are also widespread in those who have type 2 diabetes. Even though you can treat these at home yourself, you may have to go to a doctor who will give you an antibiotic. Here are some of the most common bacterial infections faced by diabetic people:

• Styes (near the eyelids).
• Boils or carbuncles on the surface of the skin or underneath the skin.
• Folliculitis- an infection that happens on the hair follicles.
• Infection that grows around or inside the nails.

Fungal infections are also common amongst people with type 2 diabetes. It shows up as a yeast-like fungus that can cause the surrounding area to become extremely itchy and red. In fact, blisters and scales may also appear. The most common areas prone to fungal infections are:

• Underneath the breast
• Close to the groin
• Around the vagina
• Close to the nails
• In between the fingers and toes

If you notice any of the above early signs of type 2 diabetes, it is best to get yourself tested and visit your doctor as soon as possible. Remember, the earlier you detect this disease, the higher the chances of you managing it.