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Type 2 diabetes, affecting over 37 million Americans, is a condition where an individual's blood sugar levels shoot up beyond the normal range. While a whopping 90-95% of diagnosed diabetes cases in the U.S. are type 2, the onset is often so gradual that many don't even realize they have it until it's too late.
Spotting the Early Signs
The human body is a machine that gives signals when something is amiss. For type 2 diabetes, these early warning signs include:
Frequent Urination: High blood sugar levels prompt kidneys to flush out the excess sugar, leading to more frequent urination, especially during nighttime.
Thirst that Just Won't Quit: The body loses additional water due to frequent urination, causing dehydration and increased thirst.
An Insatiable Hunger: Despite eating, those with diabetes might feel continuously hungry because glucose isn't efficiently moving from the bloodstream to body cells.
Unexplained Fatigue: A lack of sugar in the body’s cells can leave one feeling drained.
Blurry Vision: Elevated blood sugar can harm tiny eye blood vessels, leading to blurred vision, and if left untreated, can eventually cause permanent vision loss.
Wounds Taking Their Sweet Time: Damaged nerves and blood vessels hinder circulation, resulting in wounds taking longer to heal.
A Numb or Tingling Sensation: Neuropathy, a result of elevated blood sugar levels, can cause numbness or tingling in extremities.
Darker Skin Patches: Known as acanthosis nigricans, these velvety patches can appear in skin creases.
Itchy Skin and Yeast Infections: Excess sugar is a feast for yeast, leading to infections in warm, moist areas of the body.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Early recognition of these signs is paramount. Timely diagnosis and treatment, combined with lifestyle changes, can significantly enhance one's health and life quality. On the flip side, ignoring these signs and skipping treatment can lead to life-threatening issues like heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, and even vision loss. Uncontrolled diabetes might even lead to hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), a severe condition usually triggered by an illness or infection.
Who's at Risk?
While anyone can fall prey to type 2 diabetes, certain factors heighten the risk:
- Ageing (Being 45 or older)
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Overweight or obesity
- An imbalanced diet
- Family history of diabetes
- Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome or a history of gestational diabetes, heart disease, or stroke
- Prediabetes
- Ethnicity also plays a role. For instance, 14.5% of American Indian/Alaskan Natives are diagnosed with diabetes, compared to 7.4% of non-Hispanic whites.
Final Thoughts
Type 2 diabetes, though common, can wreak havoc on one's health if not detected and treated early. Its subtle signs like tiredness, frequent urination, and vision issues should not be ignored. Those suspecting they might be showing symptoms should seek a medical evaluation, especially if they have additional risk factors.
Remember, early detection can be a life-saver, ensuring a healthier, complication-free life. And for those diagnosed, support systems like the Bezzy T2D app can be invaluable, offering a community and resource right at your fingertips.