Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, a chronic condition that affects your body’s ability to process and metabolize glucose (sugar). This also can lead to your body being unable to use insulin (a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells) properly, either because it is insulin-resistant or because it does not produce enough insulin.
Even though type 2 diabetes is more common in middle-aged adults, it is becoming increasingly more common in children, teens, and young adults as childhood obesity continues to increase.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes will often develop very slowly. Because of this, you could have the condition for several years without realizing it. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
- Increased thirst: Because of the excess sugar that is building up in your blood stream, this causes fluid to be pulled from your tissues, which will make you feel thirsty.
- Frequent urination: As a result of your increased thirst, you may drink more than usual, which will cause more frequent urination.
- Increased hunger: Because your body is lacking insulin, it will be unable to move sugar into your cells and your organs and muscles will be depleted of energy. This can cause you to be intensely hungry.
- Weight loss: However, even if you are eating more because of your increased hunger, you still might lose weight. If your body is unable to metabolize glucose, it will use alternative fuel sources that are stored in muscles and fat, which will burn calories.
- Blurred vision: Fluid may also be pulled from the lenses of your eyes if your blood sugar is too high, which will affect your ability to focus.
- Patches of darkened skin: Usually in the armpits or neck, some people with type 2 diabetes will develop patches of dark, velvety skin in the creases and folds of their bodies. This condition is called acanthosis nigricans and is also a sign of insulin resistance.
- Fatigue: When your cells are deprived of sugar, you can become very tired and sometimes irritable as well.
- Slow-healing wounds: Type 2 diabetes will affect your body’s ability to heal.
- Frequent infections: This disease will also affect your immune system’s ability to resist infections, which means you may get them more than usual.
If your doctor suspects that you have type 2 diabetes, he or she will likely recommend that you have multiple blood sugar tests to determine if you have elevated levels of glucose in your blood.
After you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you. Though there is no cure for this disease, it is possible to manage your condition by eating healthy, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. You may also need medications and insulin therapy to help you keep the condition under control.
