Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms – What You Should Watch Out For


Learning about type 2 diabetes symptoms is essential as this will help in speeding up the diagnosis and treatment for the condition.

Who Can Face Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, also called Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM), occurs in people whose bodily ability to utilize insulin in their peripheral tissues (like muscles, fat, and liver) is low. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with a defect in the beta cells’ ability to secrete insulin.

This type of diabetes is also associated with family history of diabetes and other factors like obesity, a sedentary life that lacks exercise, and old age.

Type 2 diabetes is a form of adult onset diabetes which generally occurs after the age of 40 years. It can appear at an earlier age as well in people who don’t get enough physical exercise.  Treatment options in this type of diabetes include diet modifications in the form of a low calorie diet, proper exercise, weight reduction techniques, oral medications, and insulin as well.

type 2 diabetes symptoms
Retinal damage is one of the common type 2 diabetes symptoms.

What Are The Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms?

The common type 2 diabetes symptoms include:

  • Frequent Urination, Thirst, and Dry Mouth: People who suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus feel the need to urinate frequently, and as a result of dehydration, experience dry mouth and thirst.
  • Increased Hunger: As cells are unable to absorb the insulin in the blood, diabetics are bound to feel hungry often.
  • Unexplained Weight Loss: Since the cells can’t utilize glucose, unexplained sudden weight loss is a key sign that the condition exists.
  • Fatigue: Lack of energy to do day-to-day tasks is another significant sign of type 2 diabetes.
  • Blurred Vision: The blood vessels in the eyes are affected by excessive glucose and retinal damage due to this is another common symptom.
  • Frequent Infections of the Skin, Urinary Tract, or Vagina:  Elevated blood sugar levels lead to an increased amount of glucose in all body secretions. This also weakens the normal immunity of the body, causing frequent infections.

Who Else Can Face Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms?

Apart from these type 2 diabetes symptoms, there are other risk factors that can lead to the condition. It can affect:

  • Those With Pre-Diabetes Conditions:  Pre-diabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar levels are on the borderline. People with this condition are susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
  • Those With A Family History of Diabetes: Diabetes is genetically mediated as well. People with one or both parents having diabetes are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Those With A Stressful Lifestyle: People who are aged above 40 years and have stressful or sedentary jobs are at risk for type 2 diabetes.
  • Those With Increased Body Mass Index: The Body Mass Index (BMI) is an anthropometric index of general obesity which is calculated by using one’s height and weight. People with high BMI are prone to this problem.
  • Those With Increased Waist Circumference (Central Obesity): Measuring the circumference of the waist is a simple procedure that can be done at home. Males who have a circumference of more than 90 cm and females who have a circumference of more than 85 cm are at risk.
  • Women With History of High Blood Sugar During Pregnancy: Women who have had high blood sugar during pregnancy are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.

Treatment should be started immediately once these type 2 diabetes symptoms are detected and diagnosed.


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