By Sola Ogundipe

At least 1 in 3 people has Type 2 diabetes and don’t even know it. Could that be you? In many cases, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until it takes a noticeable toll on health. Learn to spot the subtle early symptoms. You should learn the early subtle symptoms.

The disease strikes people of all ages. It is a chronic condition that thwarts the body’s ability to use the carbohydrates in food for energy. The result is elevated blood sugar. Over time, this excess sugar raises the risk for heart disease, loss of vision, nerve and organ damage, and other serious conditions.

Metabolism mishaps

In type 2 diabetes, the cells cannot absorb glucose properly. That means glucose levels in the blood become elevated. If you’ve developed a condition called insulin resistance, the body makes excess insulin, but the muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use or respond properly to the insulin. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes causes the pancreas to reduce the amount of insulin it produces.

Thirst

One of the first symptoms may be an increase in thirst, often accompanied by additional problems, including dry mouth, increased appetite, frequent urination —sometimes as often as every hour—and unusual weight loss or gain.

Headaches

As blood sugar levels become more abnormal, additional symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.

Infections

One red flag is troubling infections, such as cuts or sores that are slow to heal. Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections and itchy skin, especially in the groin area are also common.

Diabetic foot

Diabetic nerve damage can make it difficult to feel your feet and detect injury.  At the same time, hardening of the arteries results in poor blood flow to the feet. Foot sores and gangrene can occur, even from small injury. In severe cases, infections can go unchecked and result in an amputation.

Risk factors

Health habits and medical conditions related to lifestyle can increase the odds of developing type 2 diabetes. Being overweight, especially at the waist, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, diet high in red meat, high-fat dairy products, abnormal cholesterol and blood fats, such as HDL “good” cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dL and /or a triglyceride level over 250 mg/dL, all contribute.

Among uncontrollable risk factors include race or ethnicity, family history of diabetes and age. Being 45 and older increases risk. The more risk factors you have, the greater the odds of developing type 2diabetes.

Risk for women

Having gestational diabetes in pregnancy increases risk for developing type 2 diabetes later on. Women who give birth to a “heavy” baby are also at risk. Having a history of polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes.

Management

Controlling blood sugar levels by changing diet and losing excess weight can cut risk of complications. Routine exercise, such as strength training or walking, improves the body’s use of insulin and can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Testing your blood glucose level will let you know how controlled your blood sugars are and if you need to take actions to change your treatment plan. For best results, use a glucose meter to check your blood sugar when waking up, before and after meals and exercise, and at bedtime.