Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes mellitus is one among the most common non communicable diseases that has taken on global epidemic-like proportions. Globally it affects 6% of total population. It is found to be more common among elderly, but even the younger population is now at risk, thanks to the current unhealthy lifestyles. It is an endocrine disorder that develops either due to inability of the pancreas to produce adequate Insulin or the body cannot utilize the insulin appropriately thus accounting for two types namely Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes mellitus, the body fails to produce adequate insulin and requires the person to consume insulin for life as per the need, whereas, in Type 2 diabetes, the insulin produced is resisted by the cells. So our body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. Though our body, through it natural healing properties, makes our pancreas produce extra insulin to make up for it, over time, it cannot keep up with the demands of the body, thus building up sugar in the blood. This most often gets unnoticed and undiagnosed for a reasonable period. Among the first type 2 diabetes symptoms is increased thirst due to excess sugar building up in bloodstream. This causes fluid to be pulled from the tissues. As a result the person drinks more water thus urinating more. The next symptom will be increased hunger since without enough insulin to move sugar into the cells, the muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This triggers intense hunger. But despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, without the ability to metabolize glucose, the body uses alte ative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine. This leads to weight loss and fatigue making the patient tired and irritable. Over a period of time, this will lead to blurred vision since the high blood sugar will cause the fluid to be pulled from the lenses of the eyes, thus affecting the ability to focus. Type 2 diabetes also affects the ability to heal and resist infections resulting in slow healing sores and frequent infections. Some people may develop patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance and one of the early signs of diabetes in women People suffering with Type 2 diabetes can maintain their blood sugar with regular exercise and modified dietary pattern initially and later with the consumption of oral hypoglycemic drugs and sometimes with Insulin. The blood sugar need to be controlled because elevated blood sugar would damage the tiny blood vessels of nervous system, eyes, heart or kidney which eventually causes stroke, blindness, heart diseases, nerve damage, most often to the nerves in the feet. This demands that a close supervision is mandatory to prevent early and late complications. Diabetes increases the risk of numerous serious health problems including cardio vascular disorders, kidney disorders, neurological disorders, foot disorders and so on. However, with prompt treatment and suggested lifestyle practices, people with diabetes can avoid or delay the development of complications.