9 early warning signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can easily go unnoticed in its early days as it is very slow to develop. However, your body generally provides a signal that something is wrong, but you need to know what to watch out for. This blog article will discuss the 9 early signs of type 2 diabetes that you cannot ignore.
Early detection of these signs will enable you to address the condition before it becomes serious.
Diabetes signs you must not ignore | Spot the Symptoms Early
Are you or a loved one at risk of developing diabetes? In this informative video, we uncover the early warning signs of diabetes that everyone should know. From unexplained weight loss and excessive thirst to blurred vision and tingling sensations in the hands and feet, recognising these symptoms early can make all the difference in preventing serious health complications.
Diabetes Signs and Symptoms
Frequent Urination (Especially at Night)
Frequent urination and particularly waking up numerous times during the night to go to the toilet are among the first and the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Why: When you have a high level of blood sugar, your kidney attempts to eliminate excess glucose by removing it through urine. This results in increased bathroom visits.
Hint: In the event that you are urinating more often than usual, especially during the night, it is time to take notice.
Unusual Thirst
Thirst also accompanies frequent urination. All that urination causes your body to lose fluid and you end up feeling dehydrated all the time.
You may be consuming plenty of water but the thirst would still not disappear. This is how your body tries to compensate for the fluid lost due to the elevated blood sugar levels.
Unexplained Fatigue
Individuals who have type 2 diabetes usually experience fatigue and they feel exhausted even when they have slept well.
The cause: Elevated levels of sugar in the blood may disrupt the utilization of glucose in the body. Dehydration as a result of too much urination may also occur, contributing to the fatigue.
When you are struggling to get through the day without an apparent cause, then it is high time to examine your blood sugar level.
Blurred Vision
Another clue that you may have type 2 diabetes is sudden alterations in your eyesight, such as blurred vision or inability to focus.
High levels of blood sugar may lead to the swelling of the lenses in your eyes and this may affect your vision. This symptom can periodically appear or disappear, but one should not disregard it.
Untreated diabetes may also cause damage to the small blood vessels in your eyes that results in diabetic retinopathy which is a severe complication and may result in the permanent loss of vision.
Slow Wound Healing
Do you notice that your cuts, scrapes, and bruises are taking more time to heal than before?
Elevated sugar levels may weaken your circulation and influence the way your immune system operates which slows down the natural healing process.
When minor injuries take far too long to heal, it might be the symptom of your body telling you something is wrong with your blood sugar levels.
Increased Hunger (Even After Eating)
Always being hungry and it can even persist after you have eaten.
Why it occurs: In type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to respond to insulin, so that glucose cannot enter your cells to be used as energy. This makes your body believe that it is starving, and you start getting hunger messages even after eating.
This frequent eating, otherwise called polyphagia, is an indicator that your body is not utilizing food well.
Tingling or Numbness in Hands or Feet
One of the complications of diabetes is nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy; this process can start early in type 2 diabetes, even before it is diagnosed.
You may feel tingling, burning or numbness or a pins and needles effect in your hands, fingers, feet or toes. It is as a result of high blood sugar that gradually causes damage to the nerves, particularly in extremities.
This may cause more serious issues in case it is left untreated, one of them being chronic pain or even the loss of sensation.
Dark Patches on the Skin (Acanthosis Nigricans)
This less familiar symptom comes up as a dark velvet patch of the skin particularly around the neckline, the armpits, the elbows, groin or knuckles.
It is not dirt, it is called acanthosis nigricans and it is commonly associated with insulin resistance, one of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes.
And in case you see these patches and they do not disappear after you wash them or exfoliate, talk to a doctor.
Yeast Infections and Itchy Skin
Yeast is nourished by sugar. Having elevated levels of sugar in the blood provides yeast with the ideal conditions under which it can breed, and no place is better than the mouth, armpits or genital area.
Women can experience frequent vaginal yeast infection or urinary tract infection. Both men and women may experience itchy irritable skin mainly in skin folds, between toes, and fingers.
Repetitive infections are abnormal and may indicate a compromised immune functioning, which is a sequel of uncontrolled diabetes.
When to See a Doctor
When you see one or more of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, do not hesitate. Diabetes may be detected early before its development is accompanied by severe health complications.
Physicians normally administer:
- A fasting blood glucose test
- A hemoglobin A1C test (shows average blood sugar over 3 months)
- An oral glucose tolerance test
Prediabetes can be reversed and type 2 diabetes can be controlled with early diagnosis in order to avoid long term complications such as heart disease, kidney failure and blindness.
Could you spot the early warning signs of Diabetes? In this important video, we reveal the 10 key symptoms that could signal the onset of diabetes, from subtle changes in your energy levels to unexpected shifts in your weight and thirst.
Catching these signs early can make all the difference in preventing serious health complications. Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, this video will arm you with the knowledge you need to take action. Tune in and learn what to watch for — early awareness is the first step towards better health!
What are the 10 early warning signs of Diabetes
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes does not tend to appear overnight. It sneaks up on you and it is usually accompanied by minor symptoms that people can easily attribute to stress, ageing, or lack of sleep.
A brief recap of the 9 early warning signs include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing wounds
- Increased hunger
- Tingling/numbness in extremities
- Dark skin patches
- Yeast infections and itchy skin
When any of these things on this list resonates with you, pay attention to your body. The earlier the better, the more you stand a chance of controlling or even reversing the effect of diabetes.
Take-away: Do not dismiss the initial murmurings of type 2 diabetes. Being able to notice these symptoms early and to run tests may preserve your health and even your life.
This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional and personalized medical advice. Always seek diagnosis and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider, which is specific to your own case.
We offer both a Beginner’s Diabetes Introductory Course and an Advanced Course, These courses provide detailed explanations on managing or preventing Diabetes effectively. Investing in yourself and your body is crucial, as ultimately, everything else is materialistic. Feel free to explore our courses!
Discover the holistic approach to managing Diabetes in our FREE booklet ‘Best Ways To Treat Diabetes’. From this guide, you will learn the various treatments that can be done at home, foods to avoid and those you need to include in your diet, among other essential information. Download your FREE copy today and start the journey to take control of your life and prevent Diabetes.
Embark on a transformative journey towards better health when you purchase our book, “THE DIABETES SOLUTION: A 28 DAY ACTION PLAN FOR LOWERING BLOOD SUGAR NATURALLY”. A wealth of information derived from years of experience in helping people with Diabetes and other health issues can be found in our #1 bestselling book on Amazon. Drawing from a diverse clientele spanning continents and cultures, we have curated a comprehensive action plan rooted in natural remedies and time-tested practices. This book is an indispensable companion, whether you are Diabetic, Prediabetic or looking for preventive action. Give yourself the power to take control of your health and see remarkable results, from nutritious recipes to invaluable advice on living a healthy life. You will be guided by the “THE DIABETES SOLUTION” to a healthier and happier future!
To learn more about Diabetes, check out our other related blogs:
Can you die from Diabetes? 6 Complications
