Could you have type 2 diabetes and not even know it?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. But did you know that you could have type 2 diabetes and not even realize it? 

That’s right – many people with diabetes don’t experience any symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. This can make diagnosis difficult, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. 

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Therefore, it is important to visit an urgent care if you have signs of diabetes.

According to the latest National Diabetes Statistics Report, 37.3 million people or 11.3% of the US population have diabetes. There are 28.7 million people, including 28.5 million adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes, while 8.5 million people or 23% of adults are undiagnosed.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes you can’t ignore include:

1. Frequent and or excessive urination: When you have diabetes, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood. The kidneys have to work really hard to filter and absorb all that extra glucose. 

During this time, the excess glucose gets excreted into the urine, soaking up fluids drawn from your tissues. This leads to abnormally high urine output. A persistent need to urinate, especially if you have to get up at night to use the bathroom is something that you need to take seriously.

2. Feeling more thirsty: Due to frequent urination, many people with type 2 diabetes experience dehydration. This causes extreme thirst. If you drink sugary beverages like soda or juice to quench this thirst, more sugar enters the body leading to more thirst.
3. Hunger pangs: When people suffer from diabetes, they feel more hungry than usual and tend to eat more. This happens because the body cannot regulate glucose that your cells use for energy. 

When the cells don’t get enough glucose, your body automatically looks for more sources of fuel, causing persistent hunger. In addition, eating more will not get rid of the feeling of hunger in people with diabetes, as this will just further elevate the blood sugar level.

People with type 2 diabetes also experience  fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing wounds, and tingling in the hands and feet. Each one of these symptoms can have other causes as well. However, some people may experience milder signs such as frequent infections of the skin or bladder infections that never seem to go away. 
If you notice any of these symptoms or think you may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes due to hereditary factors or lifestyle choices, Stop by any Nao Medical clinic to talk to your doctor about getting your HbA1c level checked today so you can stay healthy and check if you may have or are at risk of diabetes.