Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly and quietly. Many people live with high blood sugar for years before they’re diagnosed, and some don’t find out until complications appear. Knowing the early warning signs can help you catch it sooner, when lifestyle changes and treatment are most effective.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body has trouble regulating and using sugar (glucose) for energy. According to Mayo Clinic, the problem is twofold: the body doesn’t respond well to insulin, the hormone that moves glucose into cells, and over time the pancreas may not make enough insulin. As a result, too much sugar stays in the bloodstream.
Type 2 is by far the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% or more of cases. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Early warning signs
Symptoms can be mild and easy to dismiss. Watch for these common signs:
- Feeling thirsty all the time. When sugar builds up in the blood, the kidneys work harder to filter it out, pulling fluid from the body’s tissues and leaving you dehydrated and thirsty.
- Urinating more often. The body gets rid of extra sugar through urine, which means more trips to the bathroom, including at night.
- Feeling hungry even after eating. When glucose can’t get into cells efficiently, the body signals that it needs more fuel.
- Fatigue. Without enough energy reaching the cells, and with the added effect of dehydration, many people feel tired and run down.
- Dry mouth. Frequent urination and dehydration can leave your mouth feeling dry.
- Blurry vision. High blood sugar can change the shape of the lens in the eye, temporarily affecting focus.
- Slow-healing cuts and frequent infections. High blood sugar can affect circulation and the immune system.
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, a sign that nerves may be affected.
- Unexplained weight loss, which can happen when the body starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy.
Other possible signs include darkened patches of skin in the armpits or neck, headaches and red or swollen gums.
Who is at higher risk?
Your risk of type 2 diabetes is higher if you:
- Are overweight, especially with extra weight around the waist
- Are physically inactive
- Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Are 35 or older, though it’s increasingly diagnosed in younger people
- Have prediabetes, had gestational diabetes or have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes is also rising among young people. A study in the journal Diabetes Care projected that, if current trends continue, the number of young people in the U.S. with type 2 diabetes could increase by nearly 700% by 2060, driven largely by rising rates of childhood obesity.
What this means for you
- Get screened. A simple blood test, such as an A1C or fasting blood sugar test, can show whether your levels are normal, in the prediabetes range or in the diabetes range.
- Don’t wait for symptoms. If you have risk factors, ask your doctor about testing even if you feel fine.
- Move more. Regular physical activity helps your body use insulin better.
- Focus on whole foods. Vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and fewer sugary drinks can help keep blood sugar steady.
- Small weight changes count. For people with prediabetes, losing even a modest amount of weight can lower the risk of developing diabetes.
The bottom line
Constant thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurry vision can all be early signs of type 2 diabetes. Because symptoms are often subtle, regular screening is the best way to catch it early. If you notice these signs or have risk factors, talk to your doctor.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual needs.
