SYMPTOMS of Diabetes:

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. Many, including you, or a loved one may be living with diabetes or pre-diabetes right now. Warning symptoms include: 

• • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing sores
  • Frequent infections
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck

Exactly how does diabetes develop?  

1. When insulin no longer has the ability to transfer sugar from inside the blood to the cells of the body, “insulin resistance” occurs. 
2. The pancreas is NOT ABLE to produce enough insulin to remove the blood sugar and transfer into the body.  

BUT, less commonly with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. 

Risk factors for developing diabetes

• • #1 risk: Gaining weight / obesity. 
  • Inactivity. Physical activity helps control weight, uses glucose, and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.
  • Family history. Especially if one or both parents have diabetes. 
  • Race and ethnicity. Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islanders. 
  • Elevated cholesterol: An increased risk is associated with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) & high triglycerides.
  • Age. Diabetes risk increases especially after age 45.
  • Prediabetes. When blood sugar level is high, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes often progresses to type 2 diabetes, if not reversed. 
  • Gestational diabetes. Having had gestational diabetes, greatly increases risk.   
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This common condition includes irregular menstrual periods, body hair, and obesity. (or difficulty with weight loss). 
  • Darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck. Often indicates insulin resistance.

Complications of Diabetes

• • Heart and blood vessel disease (heart attack and stroke). 
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy) in hands, feet , stomach, eyes and other organs. 
  • Kidney disease. 
  • Eye damage and vision loss. 
  • Slow healing of cuts and development of frequent leg and skin infections. 
  • Dementia.
  • Sleep Apnea.

Conclusion

Diabetes combined with elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol places you at high risk for developing non-reversible heart disease and stroke. 

While the first line of treatment for pre-diabetes and early diabetes is change of diet and exercise, a medication called metformin can help control appetite therefore making it easier to lose weight.