A diabetic friend of mine once told me that type 2 diabetes symptoms are very tricky and will sneak up on you when you least expect it. This is because the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are mild to moderate at first. However, please don’t be fooled by that fact.
You do not want to miss those first symptoms of type 2 diabetes which are like diabetes warning signs. The real danger is that if the diabetes warning signs are missed then over time more severe complications of diabetes may result.
These devastating diabetic complications include:
- Heart attack,
- Diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye problems),
- Stroke,
- Diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease),
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Amputation or even
- Death
The diabetic symptoms of diabetes can be avoided but only if you can recognise the early signs of diabetes.
These early type 2 diabetes symptoms are:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive hunger
- Slow healing wounds
- Weight loss
- Itchy skin
- Frequent yeast infection
- Diabetic leg pain
You have to remember that sometimes these symptoms are not present. There absence does not indicate that you are in the clear. The only true way of knowing if you have diabetes is by doing a blood test. A great idea is to do the diabetes test if you are among the high risk group. You should do the diabetes test at least once every year.
You are considered to be among the high risk group if you:
- Are overweight or obese,
- Are a member of non-Caucasian ethnic group and aged over twenty five (25) years old
- Are of Caucasian ethnicity and are over 40
- Have a family history of diabetes
Bear in mind that even if you are not among the high risk group you can still develop diabetes. As the friend said it is better to assume that you are a diabetic and start taking care of my health now before it is too late.
He said that everyone has a choice to make:
- We can assume that we will never be afflicted with diabetes (or any other health issues) or
- We can start taking care of our health now.
