High blood sugar can happen without giving you any clear signs. Most people don’t know they have high blood sugar until they are told they have Type 2 diabetes, even though they have probably had it for a while.
What Are The Signs That You Have Diabetes?
Signs of Type 2 diabetes, like having to go to the bathroom often and having a lot to drink, can be hard to notice, especially in the beginning. But ignoring them can make your health worse in the long run.
Even a small rise in blood sugar can hurt your nerves, kidneys, and eyes. And the damage can get worse the longer you don’t get help and the higher your blood sugar level is.
Endocrinologist Kevin Pantalone, DO, says that when they diagnose someone with diabetes, they usually have had it for about five years. “During screenings, some people who are newly diagnosed have already been living with kidney problems and retinal problems for a while, so they have had it for a while.”
Dr. Pantalone says that diabetes can show itself early on in a number of ways. Even if they are small, you should tell your doctor about them.
1. You’re Going To The Bathroom More.
Your blood sugar might be off if you have to go to the bathroom more than usual, especially at night. Dr. Pantalone says that one of his patients came in for a diagnosis after a family member noticed that he went to the bathroom every time a commercial came on while they were watching TV.
2. You Get A Lot Of Urinary Tract Or Yeast Infections.
Sugar gets into your urine when your blood sugar is high and your kidneys can’t filter it well enough. Women are more likely to get yeast infections and urinary tract infections when there is more sugar in a warm, damp place.
3. You’re Dropping Weight Without Even Trying.
If you have diabetes, your body isn’t able to get as much energy from glucose (sugar) as it could. Instead, your body will start to burn fat stores, which could cause you to lose weight.
4. Your Vision Is Getting Worse
High levels of sugar can warp the lenses in your eyes, making it harder for you to see. Changes in your eyesight or eyeglass prescription can sometimes be a sign that you have diabetes.
5. You Are Feeling Tired Or Worn Out
Diabetes and high sugar levels may be linked to a number of underlying causes of fatigue, such as dehydration (caused by frequent urination, which can keep you from sleeping) and kidney damage. Dr. Pantalone says that this feeling of being tired can last for a long time and get in the way of your daily life.
6. You See Changes In The Color Of Your Skin
Dr. Pantalone often sees dark skin in the neck folds and on the knuckles of people who don’t yet have diabetes. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, can be caused by not being able to use insulin properly.
How The Signs For Men And Women Are Different?
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that Type 2 diabetes is more likely to be diagnosed in men at a lower weight. One reason for this is that men tend to store more fat around their stomachs, which is a risk factor. Heart disease is more likely to happen to men with Type 2 diabetes.
This mix could make it hard to get an erection (ED). In fact, men with diabetes are three times more likely to have ED, according to the CDC. Damage to nerves caused by diabetes can also result in:
- An overactive bladder (especially at night).
- Incontinence (leaking urine) (leaking urine).
- Infections of the urinary tract (UTIs).
- Retrograde ejaculation (semen is released into the bladder).
- How diabetes symptoms for women are different
Women with Type 2 diabetes have a lot more to take care of. According to the CDC, women with diabetes are four times more likely to get heart disease than men with diabetes. Women are also more likely to have problems like blindness, kidney disease, and depression that are caused by diabetes.
If a woman has Type 2 diabetes, she might also have:
- Less sexual desire.
- Longer or heavier periods.
- Having trouble getting pregnant or having problems while pregnant.
- You might need to take more diabetes medicine if you gain weight during menopause.
- Yeast or urinary tract infections that come up often.
Different ethnic groups of women are also affected differently by type 2 diabetes. White women are less likely to have diabetes than African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women.
How To Stay Away From Type 2 Diabetes?
You can avoid getting Type 2 diabetes. Most of it has to do with keeping your weight in check and working out regularly. Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Losing just 5% of your current weight can help you get rid of it. Cut down on processed foods, alcohol, sugary drinks, and trans fats also help. Instead, choose whole grains, lean proteins, fruit, vegetables that don’t have a lot of starch, water, and drinks without added sugar.
Testing Yourself Often Can Put You In The Know
“Most of the time, people ignore or downplay their symptoms, and they get worse until they are bad enough that they have to see a doctor,” Dr. Pantalone says. “They’ve lost too much weight or are sick of getting up to pee all night.”
Because the first signs of diabetes are often mild or nonexistent, it’s important to get regular checkups and tests from your doctor. This is a must if you are overweight or have other risk factors, like a family history of diabetes.
Some Risk Factors Are:
- Being overweight.
- Being at least 45 years old.
- If you identify as African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.
- Getting used to having high blood pressure.
- Having too little good cholesterol (HDL) or too much bad cholesterol (triglycerides).
- Having had gestational diabetes before or having a baby that weighs 9 pounds or more.
- Not being active in any way.
- Heart disease, stroke, depression, or polycystic ovary syndrome in the past (PCOS).
If you are between the ages of 40 and 70, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says you should get checked for Type 2 diabetes. If the results are normal, the test should be done again in three years. The task force says that if you have a risk factor, you should start screening at a younger age and test more often.
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