Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

There are some diabetes symptoms that are hard to recognize. The early symptoms can be so mild and can go unnoticed. This is especially true with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually manifest in a matter of days or weeks and are much more severe.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. However, a third of those who have type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. The earliest symptoms of diabetes are elevated glucose levels, although it is not high enough to qualify as diabetes. The CDC states that this condition typically leads to full-blown type 2 diabetes within five years if it’s left untreated through lifestyle and diet modifications.

Type 2 diabetes can lead to severe health complications, so it’s best to be aware of the early warning signs and to go to your nearest College Station ER if you notice any of these symptoms.

Let us go over the warning signs of diabetes. Understand that it is essential that you listen to your body and consult with your doctor if you notice any new symptoms surface.

Common Diabetes Warning Signs

Frequent urination – When there is too much glucose in the blood, the kidneys react by flushing it out of the blood and into the urine. This results in more urine production and the need to urinate more frequently. Those with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to get a urinary tract infection (UTI) than those without the disease.

Dry mouth and increased thirst – Having elevated glucose levels sets up a domino effect in the body. Because of the need to urinate more frequently, the body loses a lot of fluid and becomes dehydrated. As a result, you feel the need to drink more often and develop a dry mouth.

Unexpected weight loss – The body loses weight because it cannot get enough glucose. When you have type 2 diabetes, you tend to lose more water and calories, resulting in weight loss.

Feeling hungry all the time – People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance, which means the body cannot use insulin properly to help glucose get into the cells. In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin doesn’t work well in fat, muscles, and other tissues, so your pancreas – the organ that makes insulin – starts to put out a lot more of it to try and compensate. High insulin levels send signals to the brain that the body is hungry.

Do you have concerns or questions about diabetes signs and symptoms? Feel free to get in touch with us at Physicians Premier, your local College Station ER.