9 Early Signs of Type 2 Diabetes That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 130 million citizens of the country are either diabetic or prediabetic, making it one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders. Symptoms often vary from mild to severe; some can be managed either with simple prescriptions or major lifestyle and nutrition changes to cure severe diabetes. However, knowing the symptoms listed below and identifying some warning signs is ideal for an early diagnosis.
Persistent urination
Excessive urination is one of the many early warning signs of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects the ability of the body to break down sugars consumed from foods, and the excess is left behind in the bloodstream. The kidneys must work overtime to remove this excess sugar, so they filter out more water, resulting in frequent urination. The frequency and persistency of urination are increased at night, even if one is not drinking too much water.
Increased thirst and hunger
It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to drink more water, even during the earlier stages. It is one of the indicators that the body is losing fluids rapidly and must be replenished to avoid dehydration. People with diabetes can also not effectively convert food into energy as the body’s ability to break down glucose for energy is affected. It increases hunger pangs, and as a result, people with diabetes often crave more foods despite having had a filling meal only recently. As insufficient glucose is circulated throughout the body, fatigue can start to set in when a person feels less satiated.
Warning signs on the skin
Often, many people miss out on the evident signs of diabetes that appear on the skin. These visible signs can vary from yellow, brownish, or reddish patches to even dark skin that may feel velvety when touched. Open sores, wounds, blisters, shin spots, and even a sudden outbreak of reddish bumps all indicate skin problems triggered due to abnormal levels of blood sugar. Also, persistent skin infections without any underlying cause or history of skin disease may show issues with developing type 2 diabetes. Immediate medical attention is advisable at this point.
Injuries that don’t heal
Diabetes directly affects the blood sugar levels in the body. Any rapid increase or decrease in the levels also affects the body’s blood circulation and immunity. This, in turn, interferes with the body’s natural ability to heal open wounds, cuts, and sores. Often, people with diabetes struggle with recovering even the smallest of cuts and injuries, whereas, for others, it can heal within a matter of hours. Wounds that heal slowly also increase the risk of infection.
Fatigue and blurry vision
Fatigue is one of the main signs of changes in blood sugar levels because the body cannot generate enough insulin to break down glucose into energy. Diabetes also affects blood circulation, which means less oxygenated blood flowing to the extremities in the body, thus resulting in more muscle and body exhaustion. Excess sugar buildup in the bloodstream also affects and damages tiny blood vessels in the eyes resulting in blurry vision. Patients with mild to moderate type 2 diabetes might start noticing these symptoms early on as the blood sugar levels increase aggressively.
Increased infections
Yeast is a common fungus that is naturally present in the human body. Usually, it stays dormant on the skin and does not trigger any flare-ups that could develop into a potential skin infection. However, increased blood sugar levels force the yeast to feast on the excess sugar and start a surface infection. Since diabetes already affects the body’s ability to heal wounds properly, an infection can further trigger complications that become difficult to manage. Women with diabetes are also at an increased risk of urinary tract infections, among other skin disorders. Any such flare-ups are indicative of type 2 diabetes.
Mouth dryness
The body processes more fluids, which can cause the mouth to dry as excess fluids are drained out of the system. Frequent urination and excess water consumption can affect the fluid and electrolyte balance triggering such symptoms. Also, only drinking water alone cannot manage dehydration. Fresh fruit juices that contain essential vitamins and nutrients should also be included to ensure the kidneys are not overcompensating during the filtering process. While dry mouth is one of the early symptoms, it may not necessarily be an aggressive indicator of type 2 diabetes.
Weight loss
Unexplained weight loss despite no changes in daily nutrition is also one of the glaring signs of developing type 2 diabetes. It is a common symptom, even if hunger pangs lead to an increase in appetite. Weight loss is also not necessarily linked to the quantity of food consumed. Diabetes triggers an abnormal increase or decrease in blood sugar levels leading to changes in the metabolism. A faster metabolism will process out more foods and trigger rapid weight loss. It could also indicate underlying conditions that trigger diabetes as a side effect.
Changes in mood
Another key sign to look out for is mood swings. Studies indicate that abnormal blood sugar levels can trigger anxiety, worry, and irritability among people in the initial stages of diabetes. Though it is not one of the glaring factors, it could indicate type 2 diabetes in particular, especially when other signs and symptoms are ruled out.
If the symptoms persist or flare up unexpectedly, it is advisable to consult with a general physician and understand the possible avenues to overcome such discomforts. Early diagnosis of diabetes can translate into better remedies and symptom management for those who might already be suffering from other health complications.