Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes: An Overview
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood levels of glucose (a form of sugar) are too high. It is a serious disease that can lead to dangerous health problems. The symptoms of type 2
diabetes develop gradually and are not as noticeable as those in
type 1 diabetes.
Common Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Feeling tired or ill
- Unusual thirst
- Frequent urination (especially at night)
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing wounds.
More Details About Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
You may have had one or more of these symptoms before you found out you had diabetes. But many people do not find out they have type 2 diabetes until they have
diabetes complications such as blurry vision or heart trouble.
Many people have no type 2
diabetes symptoms, or the symptoms can be so mild that they might not even notice them. More than five million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it.
A blood test to check glucose (blood sugar) levels will reveal if you have
pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Complications Associated With Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Over time, the high blood glucose levels caused by diabetes can lead to complications in the:
- Eyes
- Blood vessels
- Feet
- Nerves
- Kidneys
- Teeth
- Skin
- Heart.
Such complications can be prevented or delayed by keeping the following in a normal or close-to-normal range:
Some people develop a condition called
insulin resistance before they develop type 2 diabetes symptoms. When insulin resistance is present, the body does not respond properly to the insulin it has released to lower blood glucose. As a result, the
pancreas releases more insulin to try to keep up with the excess glucose. If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, over time, this leads to type 2 diabetes. Obesity, aging, and lack of exercise can all play a role in developing insulin resistance and heightening the risk for diabetes.
