Home ›› 26 Jan 2023 ›› Opinion
Type 2 diabetes causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high. Early signs include increased thirst, frequent urination, and tiredness.
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition. More than 37 million peopleTrusted Source in the United States have diabetes, with 90–95% having type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person’s body no longer responds to insulin correctly. This is called insulin resistance. After some time, the pancreas makes less and less insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of blood glucose, or sugar, into cells, which use it as energy.
When sugar cannot enter cells, too much glucose collects in the blood, and the body cannot use it for energy. A doctor may diagnose diabetes if a person’s blood sugar levels are 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or above after fasting for 8 hours.
The onset of type 2 diabetes can be gradual, and symptoms can be mild during the early stages. As a result, many people may not realize that they have this condition.
In this article, we look at the early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and the importance of early diagnosis. We also discuss the risk factors for developing this condition.
Recognizing the early signs of type 2 diabetes can allow a person to get a diagnosis and treatment sooner. Getting appropriate treatment, making lifestyle changes, and controlling blood sugar levels can greatly improve a person’s health and quality of life and reduce the risk Trusted Source of complications.
Without treatment, persistently high blood sugar levels can lead to severe and sometimes life threatening complications. Keeping blood sugar levels under control is crucial for preventing some of these complications. The longer blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled, the higher the risk of other health problems.
Untreated diabetes can also leadTrusted Source to hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), which causes a severe and persistent increase in blood sugar levels. An illness or infection will usually trigger HHS, which can require hospitalization. This sudden complication tends to affect older people.
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes high blood sugar levels. Early signs and symptoms can include tiredness and hunger, frequent urination, increased thirst, vision problems, slow wound healing, and yeast infections.
Anyone who experiences possible signs and symptoms of diabetes should contact a doctor for an evaluation, especially if they have other risk factors for developing this condition. The early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes can improve a person’s quality of life and reduce the risk of severe complications.
MNT