According to WHO, in 2014 the number of people with diabetes reached 422 million. Moreover, this disease is one of the main causes of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and amputation of limbs. Taking into account such sad statistics, estet-portal.com believes that every person should be aware of the symptoms of diabetes, because this disease can be treated, and its complications – prevent through timely diagnosis, proper nutrition, medications and physical activity. Since type 2 is much more common (in 80% of diabetes cases) than type 1 and can be due to various factors, including lack of physical activity, in this article we will talk about signs of type 2 diabetes that should not be ignored.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, there is insufficient or no insulin production from the pancreas. Therefore, patients with type 1 diabetes need to inject this pancreatic hormone daily. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the normal production of insulin by the pancreas, but due to a decrease in sensitivity to this hormone, glucose is not used for energy production properly. Type 2 diabetes is preventable, unlike type 1 diabetes. For this you need:
- control weight (obesity is a common cause of loss of insulin sensitivity);
- be physically active (at least 30 minutes of walking a day);
- do not abuse high-carbohydrate foods;
- give up bad habits.
Type 1 diabetes used to be called childhood diabetes, and type 2 diabetes – adults. However, in some cases, type 1 diabetes can also develop in adults, and type 2 diabetes (according to WHO) has recently been found in children.
As for the symptoms, they are similar in both types of the disease, but in the case of type 2 diabetes, the signs of the disease are often less pronounced, which does not allow timely diagnosis of the disease and taking appropriate therapeutic measures.
The Hidden Signs of Type 2 Diabetes Everyone Should Know About
Remember that uncontrolled diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels. Excess sugar negatively affects the functioning of many body systems, especially the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, if you notice one or more of the following signs of type 2 diabetes in yourself, consult a doctor.
- Constant thirst
Persistent thirst is one of the most common symptoms of type 2 and type 1 diabetes. If your mouth dries up, you are constantly thirsty, it makes sense to consult a doctor with such a symptom.
- Hunger
A sudden increase in appetite, especially an increase in cravings for sweets, is often indicative of diabetes, but in girls such changes are also observed in certain phases of the menstrual cycle, so this factor should also not be discounted.
- Weight Loss
If you notice that you have lost weight despite the same eating habits and physical activity, you should pay attention to this. In addition to type 2 and type 1 diabetes, there are other diseases that cause weight loss.
- Need to go to the bathroom often
Frequent urination can also be a sign of diabetes (both types). Abnormally high blood sugar can interfere with the reabsorption of glucose, which is eventually excreted in the urine, forcing you to go to the bathroom more often.
- Mood swings
Along with fluctuations in blood sugar levels, your mood can also change. Women are well aware of this problem, which also occurs at certain periods of the menstrual cycle. If emotional lability is persistent, one of the possible causes of it is diabetes.
Excess sugar negatively affects the functioning of many body systems, especially the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
- Bad dream
Type 2 diabetes is also characterized by sleep deprivation due to frequent trips to the bathroom, sleep apnea and discomfort.
- Numbness or pain in the feet
Because the feet are the furthest away from the heart, they are often the most affected in cases of cardiovascular problems.
- Skin problems
One of the signs of type 2 diabetes is the appearance of dark spots on the folds of the skin (neck, elbows), as well as dryness and constant itching of the skin.
- Slow wound healing
High blood sugar leads to impaired blood circulation, causing wound healing to take longer.
- Fatigue
Persistent fatigue is also one of the most common symptoms of type 2 and type 1 diabetes. True, this symptom may indicate the presence of other diseases.
Read more in the article: Why there is not enough strength: the causes of constant fatigue.
- Infections
Fungal infections are more common in people with type 2 diabetes than in others due to high blood sugar levels. Diabetics are also more vulnerable to urinary tract infections.
- Visual and hearing impairment
It is believed that vision can only worsen with diabetes, however, some patients note that they see better with increased blood sugar, and during treatment – worse. Hearing loss can also be a symptom of high blood sugar. Experts believe that the reason for this phenomenon – damage to the blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear.
In order to recognize type 2 diabetes in time, and in some cases – and 1, do not ignore the above symptoms. Remember to see your doctor if you have signs of type 2 or type 1 diabetes.
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