Type 2 : Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes -Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes is the most common kind of diabetes, accounting for about 90 % of all cases. Until recently, Type 2 diabetes was referred to as “maturity-onset” diabetes because it occurs most often in mature adults, age 40 or older.
If you have Type 2 Diabetes
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your beta cells can still produce insulin. But unfortunately, there is not enough to meet the present needs of your body. Compounding the problem, your body’s cells cannot respond properly to the available insulin to let glucose inside. People with type 2 diabetes usually don’t depend on insulin injections to survive. That’s why it is now often called non-insulin-dependent diabetes. However, it is vital to note that some people with this type of diabetes may still need daily injections of insulin to maintain good health.
Type 2 Diabetes SYMPTOMS
A number of symptoms are associated with Type 2 diabetes, which, in many ways, are similar to those found with Type I diabetes.
- Suppression of the immune system. Symptoms such as slow healing and infections often signal the onset of Type 2 diabetes. When blood sugar is high, the immune system becomes less effective, slowing the healing process, while cold and flu viruses, which your body can usually overcome in a relatively short time, may linger on indefinitely. In women with diabetes, suppression of the immune system can lead to vaginal infections by bacteria or fungi which may cause severe vaginal itching and can be very uncomfortable.
- Irritation and damage to the nerves. Also caused by high blood sugar, an early sign of this problem can be leg pains during the night. If this condition is allowed to continue, a serious diabetes complication called neuropathy may develop.
- Excessive thirst and Frequent urination. The circulating blood travels through the kidneys, where normally the unused sugar is recycled for later use or for storage. However, when the levels of blood sugar are unduly high, the kidneys are unable to recycle it all and the excess sugar spills into the urine, drawing additional water with it and resulting in large volumes of urine. This accounts for frequent urination, and depleted of its normal amount of fluids, your body sends out thirst signals, telling you to drink more fluids.
- Blurred vision. High blood sugar can lead to a buildup of sugar in the eye fluids. The excess sugar draws in water, causing the eye’s outer lens to change shape, which distorts your vision.
- Hyperglycemia, If the body is unable to use the glucose in the bloodstream, it starts to “back up.” When it accumulates to a certain point, it creates the condition called hyperglycemia ( high blood sugar).
- Weight loss. Unable to use the sugar in the bloodstream, the body gets its energy from stored fat. As these fat stores are used up, you lose weight.
- Increased hunger. Unable to use the available sugar for energy, the body signals for more food – what you perceive as hunger pangs.
- Lack of energy. When sugar cannot enter your body’s cells, they cannot use it for energy, and this can lead to fatigue. In short, you’re plumb out of energy.
- Some people discover that mood changes develop along with some of the other symptoms of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (see Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes). For example, you may feel less enthusiasm for your clay-to-clay activities. In reality, such mood changes are probably not caused directly by diabetes. It’s more likely that the gradual loss of energy, along with the other symptoms of diabetes, may cause some people to feel unwell, which, in turn, affects their outlook on life.
Type 2 Diabetes Signs and Symptoms – Video Guide
Other Symptoms of Types 2 Diabetes
Othe types 2 diabetes symptoms : Problems with sexual functions are reported by women and men in both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
- Women may experience sexual problems as well. Although little is known about this complication, high levels of blood glucose can cause changes or decreases in vaginal lubrication which may make intercourse painful.
- Men with diabetes are susceptible to impotence, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, because high blood glucose can damage the nerves controlling the flow of blood into the penis or damage the blood vessels themselves.