More than 30 million Americans have diabetes. It is estimated that 90-95 percent of these people have type 2 diabetes. This is an amazing statistic. Diabetes usually develops over time and is detected by a simple blood test. Since diabetes is a life-threatening chronic disease, it is important for everyone to recognize the early signs. However, it can be managed, especially if detected in the early stages.
These are the first 8 symptoms of type 2 diabetes. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, see a diabetes specialist to see if you need treatment.
- Excessive thirst
Too much blood sugar causes your kidneys to work harder to filter out more sugar. Constantly high blood sugar levels put a strain on the kidneys, causing excess sugar to be excreted in the urine. This can make you thirsty and dehydrated throughout the day. If you drink a lot of water but feel extremely thirsty, cut back on your sugar intake or talk to your diabetes doctor. - Frequent urination
Excessive thirst and frequent urination are symptoms of diabetes. Excess sugar in the blood that cannot be filtered by the kidneys is excreted in the urine. Frequent urination all day and night while trying to sleep can indicate problems with insulin resistance. - Constant fatigue
Diabetes affects fatigue in two ways. First, dehydration can make you feel tired and weak. Second, diabetes prevents your body from using glucose for energy. Persistent fatigue that does not go away with a good night’s sleep is one of the most important warning signs of diabetes. - Slow healing
Cuts, scrapes, and other wounds may take longer to heal if you have diabetes. High blood sugar lowers your immune system to slow down the body’s healing process. Many people with diabetes also suffer from high blood pressure, which causes narrowing of the blood vessels due to slow circulation; Therefore, wounds take a long time to heal. - Vision problems
In diabetes, chronically high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, including the blood vessels in the eyes, putting you at risk for many vision problems. Blurred vision, cataracts, and glaucoma are just a few of the vision problems associated with diabetes. If you have vision problems, see a diabetes specialist right away to prevent or reduce your risk of vision loss or blindness. Fortunately, early treatment and resolution of diabetes can help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve vision. - Mood swings
Insulin is a hormone similar to estrogen, testosterone, and the hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin. When your body stops producing and using insulin, hormone levels fluctuate, leading to mood swings, irritability, and depression. Eating healthy foods, controlling blood sugar, and treating diabetes can help manage and manage your mood swings.
- Limbs burning and trembling
Pins and needles in the feet, fingers, hands, and toes are common symptoms of diabetes. People suffering from diabetes often experience numbness and tingling in their hands and feet. This sensation may indicate diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage caused by chronic high blood sugar levels. Untreated severe diabetic neuropathy can lead to amputation. If your hands and feet become stiff and trembling, see your diabetes doctor right away. - Appetite
Diabetes can cause appetite loss for many reasons. For example, depression and mood swings caused by hormonal imbalances can lead to reaching for comfort foods like candy. Imbalances in these same hormones can cause your hunger hormones to become unbalanced and cause you to crave junk food.
Additionally, insulin resistance leads to cravings for carbohydrates and sugary foods that spike blood sugar levels. If you’ve been craving food lately, especially sweets, see a diabetes specialist for a blood test.
At Health Associates of Texas, USA, we understand the difficulty of treating diabetes and the serious health problems this chronic disease can cause. We aim to help you recognize the early signs of diabetes and treat your symptoms. Our dedicated staff will work with you to provide you with the highest quality care and treatment. Schedule an appointment or call us today at (972) 258-7499.