1. frequent urination
When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys try to remove excess sugar by filtering it from the blood. This can lead to more frequent urination, especially at night.
2. increased thirst
The frequent urination required to remove excess sugar from the blood can cause the body to lose extra water. Over time, this can cause dehydration and make a person feel thirstier than usual.
3. frequent feelings of hunger
People with diabetes often do not get enough energy from food.
The digestive system breaks down food into simple sugar called glucose, which the body uses as fuel. In people with diabetes, insufficient amounts of this glucose move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells.
As a result, people with type 2 diabetes often feel constant hunger, regardless of how recently they have eaten.
4. fatigue
Type 2 diabetes can affect a person’s energy levels and cause feelings of fatigue.
Diabetic fatigue occurs due to insufficient sugar moving from the bloodstream into the body’s cells.
5. blurred vision
Excess blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, which can cause blurred vision. This can occur in one or both eyes.
High blood sugar can also lead to swelling of the lens of the eye. This can cause blurred vision, but improves when blood sugar levels drop.
If a person with diabetes does not take treatment, the damage to blood vessels can become more severe, and eventually permanent vision loss can occur.
6. slow healing of wounds and cuts
High blood sugar levels can damage the body’s nerves and blood vessels, which can impair blood circulation. As a result, even small cuts and wounds can take weeks or months to heal. Slow wound healing also increases the risk of infection.
7. tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet
High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and damage nerves. In people with type 2 diabetes, this can lead to pain or feelings of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
This condition is known as neuropathy. It can worsen over time and lead to more serious complications if a person is not treated for diabetes.
8. patches of darker skin
Patches of darker skin forming on the folds of the neck, under the arms or in the groin can also result from diabetes. These patches may be soft and velvety to the touch.
This skin condition is known as acanthosis nigricans.
9. itching and yeast infections
Excess sugar in the blood and urine provides food for candida, which can lead to infection. Yeast infections usually occur on warm, moist areas of the skin, such as the mouth, genital area and armpits.
Affected areas usually itch, but a person may also experience burning, skin discoloration and soreness.
Source: 9 early warning signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes (medicalnewstoday.com)
Image by Olya Adamovich from Pixabay
