Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.  Therefore, it is very important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease so that you can be tested and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Every patient’s journey to their diabetes diagnosis will be different, but there are certain symptoms that are more common than others.  These include:

Increased Thirst

Diabetes is a condition where your body struggles to effectively use the insulin and sugars in your bloodstream.  This can make a dramatic difference to how hard your kidneys must work to process liquid, leaving you feeling thirstier, and having to use the restroom more often than usual.   This can trigger dehydration leaving you feeling unwell.

Increased hunger (especially after eating)

If your diabetes is left untreated and blood glucose levels remain abnormally high, glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells – due to either a lack of insulin or insulin resistance – so the body can’t convert the food you eat into energy. This, in turn, can cause a direct increase in hunger and you may struggle to feel satisfied.  This is an additional complication when it comes to the condition, as being overweight can make it harder still to maintain your blood sugar levels.

A Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth is not always a symptom of diabetes, but it could be.  The exact reason for this particular symptom is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to the high blood sugar levels that are caused by the condition.

Unexplained Weight Loss

In case you are wondering, unexplained weight loss is defined as pounds that are lost without you dieting, exercising or deliberately trying to lose weight.

In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood into the body’s cells to use as energy.  When this happens, the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, causing a reduction in overall body weight.

Fatigue

Diabetes sufferers often report feeling tired and fatigued for many months before they are diagnosed.  This could be caused either by dehydration or the fact that your body is unable to process sugar properly to give you the energy you need.

Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is another common symptom in the diagnosis of diabetes.  High levels of blood sugar pull fluid from your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. This, in turn, can affect your ability to focus. If your diabetes is not treated it could lead to a major deterioration in your vision, and in some cases, even blindness.

Headaches

Low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, can be the cause of headaches that come on suddenly.  You may or may not be feeling hungry and tired when this happens. Headaches can, of course, be caused by many other conditions including stress, viruses, and other non-threatening conditions.  You should consider that your headaches could be linked to Type 2 diabetes if they present alongside other common symptoms.

If you are concerned about any of the above symptoms or have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you should consult your physician for a diagnosis.

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