This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
High blood sugar levels can have a significant impact on a person's overall health, leading to a range of complications if left untreated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with prediabetes often develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years if they do not get treatment.
Early detection of type 2 diabetes is crucial in preventing severe complications. The onset of type 2 diabetes can be gradual, and symptoms can be mild during the early stages. As a result, many people may not realize that they have this condition.
Common Early Signs and Symptoms ¶
- Frequent urination: When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys try to remove the excess sugar by filtering it out of the blood, leading to a person needing to urinate more frequently, particularly at night.
- Increased thirst: The frequent urination necessary to remove excess sugar from the blood can result in the body losing additional water, causing dehydration and leading to a person feeling more thirsty than usual.
- Always feeling hungry: Constant hunger or thirst can be early signs of type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes often do not get enough energy from the food they eat.
- Feeling very tired: Type 2 diabetes can impact a person's energy levels and cause them to feel very tired or fatigued.
- Blurry vision: An excess of sugar in the blood can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, causing blurry vision.
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds: High levels of sugar in the blood can damage the body's nerves and blood vessels, impairing blood circulation and leading to slow wound healing.
- Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet: High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and damage the body's nerves, leading to pain or a sensation of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
- Patches of dark skin: Patches of dark skin forming on the creases of the neck, armpit, or groin can also signify a higher risk of diabetes.
- Itching and yeast infections: Excess sugar in the blood and urine provides food for yeast, leading to infection and causing itching, burning, redness, and soreness in the affected areas.
It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. Early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes can significantly improve a person's quality of life and reduce the risk of severe complications.
