In the last decade, the number of people living with diabetes has increased by 50%; more than 30 million Americans have diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes usually affects adults over the age of 35, although many cases have involved younger people. If you think you may have this ongoing disease, continue reading to find out about five early signs.
What causes Type 2 Diabetes?
To better understand the signs, here is a brief summary of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes complicates glucose management in the blood, leading to high blood sugar. Insulin normally regulates blood-sugar levels.
When someone has diabetes, their cells have problems absorbing insulin, leaving excess sugar in your blood. There are many contributing factors that link to Type 2 Diabetes, such as:
- Increased age
- Poor diet
- Minimal exercise
- Obesity
- Family history
Obesity and family genetics are the most Common causes.
1. Frequent urination
When you develop Type 2 diabetes, the high glucose levels pull fluid from other tissues in your body; thickening your blood vessels. Since your blood is thicker, your kidneys must work harder to try and filter the excess sugar. All the fluid from the extra sugar in your blood causes you to urinate often.
2. Increased thirst
Increased thirst is directly linked to high glucose levels.
The sugar in your blood is absorbing fluid as it's circulating and fluid is being expelled frequently. To compensate for the loss of fluid, you must drink more to prevent dehydration; contributing to the frequent urination as well.
3. Blurred vision
Fluid loss causes the lenses of your eyes to swell. Lack of fluid in the eyes leads to blurred vision and double vision.
If left untreated, high glucose can cause permanent damage to the blood vessels in your retina, which leads to a condition known as retinopathy.
4. Nerve damage
If you've been living with diabetes for several years and haven't had any treatment, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) may occur. The high glucose levels damage a family of nerves causing numbness, tingling, and pain.
In most cases, nerve damage happens in the hands, fingers, feet, and toes.
5. Wounds take longer to heal
Since your blood thickens due to the high glucose levels, poor circulation affects the healing process of cuts and scrapes. Another reason diabetes causes slow healing is immunodeficiency; the failure of your immune system to fight infection.
If you experience any of these symptoms frequently, schedule an appointment to see your doctor. It's better to be safe than sorry.