The Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Accounting for more than 90 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common form of this disease in the United States. Type 2 diabetes tends to develop slowly, unlike most cases of type 1 diabetes, so people could be living with T2D for years without realizing that anything is actually wrong. In fact, clinical trials on diabetes have suggested that there are millions of cases that have yet to be diagnosed.
Do You Have Type 2 Diabetes?
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include any of the following:
Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: As more sugar builds up in the bloodstream, fluids will begin to be drawn from other tissues in the body. This will cause a person to become very thirsty, as the body requires more and more fluids. In addition, the excess drinking will result in more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Increased Appetite: When the body is no longer able to metabolize an adequate level of sugar for the cells, the organs and muscles will not be supplied with energy they require. The body's natural response in this situation is to induce hunger to replenish the energy it is unable to get.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Type 2 diabetics may begin to drop weight, despite the fact that they are eating more than usual. When the body can no longer metabolize the sugars obtained from food, then it must begin to burn alternative fuels for energy (mainly the muscle and fat of the body).
Fatigue: When cells are no longer getting the sugars they need, then you will have significantly less energy and may become more irritable too.
Blurry Vision: If the blood glucose levels become too high, fluids may also be drawn from the lenses of the eyes. This will make it much harder for a person to focus clearly.
Open Wounds Don't Heal Quickly: Type 2 diabetes can have a drastic affect on the body's ability to heal open wounds or resist infections.
Patches of Darkened Skin: Some diabetics will develop patches of dark or velvety skin in the folds or creases of their body (most often around the neck or in the armpits). This skin condition is referred to as acanthosis nigricans, and it often means that they have become insulin resistant.
When to Get Tested for Type 2 Diabetes
You should not hesitate to contact your primary health care provider if you have experienced any of the symptoms that have been associated with type 2 diabetes. Currently, there are many people who are at the prediabetes stage, and treatment should start as soon as possible in order to prevent any long-term medical complications.
Unfortunately, most cases of type 2 diabetes are not diagnosed until after some other complication has arisen. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can take a long time to fully develop, or there may be none at all. Health care experts believe that there are still millions of people living with this disease who don't even realize it.
Do You Have Type 2 Diabetes?
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include any of the following:
Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: As more sugar builds up in the bloodstream, fluids will begin to be drawn from other tissues in the body. This will cause a person to become very thirsty, as the body requires more and more fluids. In addition, the excess drinking will result in more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Increased Appetite: When the body is no longer able to metabolize an adequate level of sugar for the cells, the organs and muscles will not be supplied with energy they require. The body's natural response in this situation is to induce hunger to replenish the energy it is unable to get.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Type 2 diabetics may begin to drop weight, despite the fact that they are eating more than usual. When the body can no longer metabolize the sugars obtained from food, then it must begin to burn alternative fuels for energy (mainly the muscle and fat of the body).
Fatigue: When cells are no longer getting the sugars they need, then you will have significantly less energy and may become more irritable too.
Blurry Vision: If the blood glucose levels become too high, fluids may also be drawn from the lenses of the eyes. This will make it much harder for a person to focus clearly.
Open Wounds Don't Heal Quickly: Type 2 diabetes can have a drastic affect on the body's ability to heal open wounds or resist infections.
Patches of Darkened Skin: Some diabetics will develop patches of dark or velvety skin in the folds or creases of their body (most often around the neck or in the armpits). This skin condition is referred to as acanthosis nigricans, and it often means that they have become insulin resistant.
When to Get Tested for Type 2 Diabetes
You should not hesitate to contact your primary health care provider if you have experienced any of the symptoms that have been associated with type 2 diabetes. Currently, there are many people who are at the prediabetes stage, and treatment should start as soon as possible in order to prevent any long-term medical complications.
Unfortunately, most cases of type 2 diabetes are not diagnosed until after some other complication has arisen. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can take a long time to fully develop, or there may be none at all. Health care experts believe that there are still millions of people living with this disease who don't even realize it.