Do You Know The Signs Of Type 2 Diabetes?

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, highlighting a crucial health issue that affects more than 38 million Americans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% to 95% of those with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, a chronic metabolic condition where the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Each year, 1.9 million new cases are diagnosed, yet more than 8 million Americans remain undiagnosed. If current trends persist, one in every three people born in the year 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.

What accounts for the high number of undiagnosed cases? The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, leading many people to attribute cases to other factors. Additionally, a lack of awareness about these symptoms often prevents individuals from seeking a diagnosis and learning how to manage their condition effectively. During Diabetes Awareness Month, it’s important to raise awareness and encourage regular screenings to improve health outcomes.

Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes

Left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to several complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, loss of vision, neuropathy, reduced circulation, loss of limbs, and more. That’s why you should see a physician as quickly as possible if you see any signs of Type 2 diabetes.

Here are some of the critical signs of Type 2 diabetes:

• Frequent urination: High blood glucose causes your kidneys to filter out excess glucose, leading to increased urination, especially at night.
• Increased thirst: Dehydration from frequent urination can cause persistent thirst, even if you're drinking more fluids than usual.
• Unexplained weight loss: If your body cannot use glucose effectively due to insulin resistance, it may start breaking down fat and muscle for energy, causing weight loss.
• Fatigue: Difficulty in using insulin for energy can leave you feeling persistently tired, especially after meals.
• Blurred vision: High glucose levels can affect the lenses of your eyes, causing them to swell and leading to blurred vision.
• Slow-healing wounds: High blood sugar affects circulation and nerve function, slowing the healing of cuts and wounds.
• Frequent infections: Diabetes weakens the immune system, making you more prone to infections, such as those in the skin, gums and urinary tract.

When To See A Doctor

You should see a physician if you have one or more of these symptoms. Early detection and treatment of Type 2 diabetes can help you maintain a good quality of life and avoid serious complications. You can learn to manage Type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes, monitoring blood sugar levels, and taking medication, if necessary.

Recognizing the signs of Type 2 diabetes is the first step in managing the disease so you can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. The diabetes program at Luminis Health can provide everything you need to manage Type 2 diabetes and any complications, including education, monitoring and treatments.

Pedram Javanmard is an endocrinologist at Luminis Health with expertise in a wide range of endocrine-related diseases.