Diabetes is a condition in which the level of sugar in a person’s blood is too high. In type 2 diabetes, this happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to the insulin produced. Insulin is needed to control the level of sugar in the blood and transfer it to the cells to be used as fuel for energy. If insulin is unable to work properly, too much sugar will remain in the blood. This can lead to a whole host of symptoms and, if left untreated, serious health complications.
Health problems associated with type 2 diabetes include heart disease and stroke, nerve damage and problems with the kidneys.
It can also cause foot sores and infections, vision loss and blindness, miscarriage and stillbirth.
But what are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and how do you know if you have it?
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes don’t always make you feel unwell, so you may not realise you have the condition.
However, there are seven signs to look our for which could signal you have type 2 diabetes.
These include needing to pee more than usual, especially at night, feeling thirsty all the time, and feeling very tired.
Unintentional weight loss, genital itching or thrush, blurred vision, and cuts and wounds taking longer to heal are also symptoms.
“These symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in the blood, and isn’t being used as fuel for energy,” said Diabetes UK.
The need to pee more develops as a result of the body trying to reduce blood glucose levels by flushing the excess glucose out of the body in the urine.
Genital thrush develops due to high levels of glucose being passed in the urine.
This creates the perfect breeding ground for the fungal infection which causes thrush.
“If you have any of symptoms of diabetes, you should contact your GP,” said Diabetes UK.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean you have diabetes, but it’s worth checking.”
“Early diagnosis, treatment and good control are vital for good health and reduce the chances of developing serious complications.”
Type 2 diabetes has no cure, but it can be treated to prevent complications from occurring.
Treatment includes medication, but it can also be improved by following a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and losing excess weight.