This article will help you identify the symptoms of high b-l.o.o.d sugar levels – the early warning signs of Type 2 diabetes – so you can take steps to protect your health and prevent complications.
1. Frequent urination (polyuria):
If you notice that you have to urinate more often, and you wake up during the night (sometimes several times) to empty your bladder, this could be a warning sign. The kidneys start working harder to get rid of the excess glucose from the b-l.o.o.d.
2. Excessive thirst (polydipsia):
This symptom links with the previous one. As you lose more fluids, the body will try to replenish them, hence the constant need to drink.
3. Increased hunger (polyphagia):
Due to extreme highs and lows in b-l.o.o.d sugar levels, the body develops a sudden urge to eat. The cells don’t get enough glucose, so you crave it.
4. Dry mouth:
You experience a lack of moisture in the mouth, which can be both unpleasant and dangerous. A dry mouth can become a breeding ground for bacteria and cause different oral and dental problems. Gum d.iseases are a known complication of diabetes.
5. Unexplained weight loss or weight gain:
As insulin can’t get glucose into the cells, the body reacts as if it were starving and starts using proteins from the muscles. Rapid, unexplained weight loss (10 to 20 pounds over a couple of months) is not healthy and requires further investigation. On the other hand, increased consumption of sugary foods can lead to weight gain.
6. Fatigue:
Excessive tiredness can develop when the body constantly compensates for the lack of glucose in the cells. It also doesn’t help if your sleep gets interrupted by the urgency to urinate. People start experiencing lower levels of energy and are chronically not feeling well. It is not uncommon to also feel irritable and in a bad mood.
Further reading: You can also read my previous article about 6 reasons you are tired all the time, in which health issues are one of them.
7. Vision problems:
High b-l.o.o.d sugar also affects the eyes. It changes the shape of the lens and eyes. As a result, your vision becomes blurry. You can see occasional flashes of light and the vision gets distorted. Initially, the changes to the eyes are reversible. However, if sugar levels stay high for a long period, this can cause permanent damage and can even lead to eyesight loss.
Further reading: find here more health warnings your eyes may be sending and how to protect your eyes.
8. Headaches –
A headache can develop due to elevated b-l.ood sugar levels and is considered an early sign of hyperglycemia (high b-l.o.od glucose). The symptom gets worse as the condition worsens.
Further reading: Read my article about the top 15 causes of headaches and how to get rid of them naturally.
9. Infections, cuts, and bruises that do not heal:
This classic sign of diabetes is a consequence of b-l.ood vessel damage. Excessive amounts of sugar harm the veins and arteries, so they become less able to transport b-l.ood to where it is needed to repair and heal the damage.
10. Yeast infections:
Since bacteria and fungi thrive in a sugary environment, infections can become more common. The most frequent ones are yeast infections, such as candida, especially vaginal candida infections in women.
Further reading: read my previous articles about the top signs that you have candida infection and what to do about it, and how to treat vaginal yeast infection naturally.
11. Numbness and tingling in hands and feet:
This symptom is a result of nerve damage – neuropathy – that is connected with diabetes. Tingling and numbness in arms and feet can be accompanied by burning pain and swelling. If sugar levels are not brought down, the nerve damage can become permanent and presents a serious complication of diabetes named diabetic neuropathy.
12. Skin changes:
Velvety dark skin, known as acanthosis nigricans, can appear on the neck, groin, and armpit. You can also observe other unusual skin changes and itchiness, especially around the vaginal or groin area.
13. S.3xual dysfunction:
Diabetes also damages b-l.o.od vessels and nerves in the s-3.x organs, which can lead to different s.3xual problems. Women can experience vaginal dryness and men can have difficulty with erection. 35% to 75% of men with diabetes suffer from impotence.
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, see your doctor so you can have a b-l.o.od test and establish if you are indeed suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Source: healthyandnaturalworld.com
