Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Before going into the symptoms of diabetes, you should first know about glucose homeostasis!

What is glucose homeostasis?

Homeostasis means a stable condition throughout the body. The body is carrying out various complex interactions to maintain health. Maintaining blood glucose levels within the normal range is glucose homeostasis. If there is any disturbance to this glucose homeostasis, then it will lead to various bodily symptoms called diabetes symptoms.

Diabetes Symptoms

In people with diabetes, the body cells cannot consume blood glucose due to insulin resistance or deficiency, which leads to elevated blood sugar levels. 

When the blood glucose level rises above the normal range, your body tries to normalize it by instructing the kidney to expel the excess sugar from the body along with the urine. It leads to the development of symptoms of diabetes; they are,

1. Increase Urination (Polyurea) - people with diabetes urinate frequently and in large quantities. Urine has a noticeable sweet smell, indicating excess glucose. Most probably pee more often after a sugary food or drink. Polyurea (frequent urination) is characterized as urination more than normal healthy individuals that is 6 to 8 times or 2.5 to 3 L over 24 hours, especially excess during the night because the body does detoxification during sleep.
2. Severe Thirst (Polydipsia) – frequent and increased thirst, specifically after an hour of a meal or drink rich in carbs. Polydipsia is drinking more than 6 liters of fluid in 24 hours. Polyuria (frequent urination), usually accompanies polydipsia. A healthy person often feels thirsty after eating salty food, exercising, or spending time in the sun and they quench their thirst by drinking more fluids. Don’t confuse this with polydipsia.
3. Excess appetite (Polyphagia) – frequent and increased appetite; mostly after high-carb foods. Irresistible cravings particularly for sweet or rich foods, and a sensation of emptiness in the stomach. Eating cannot get rid of hunger in people with diabetes, and it just adds glucose to the already high glucose levels. The best way to lower the signs of polyphagia is to do exercise. Because this can reduce blood sugar levels, and thus get rid of hunger feeling.
4. Tiredness – can also be seen as lethargy, low energy levels, lack of strength, general weakness, and a feeling of heaviness in the body.
5. Vision change - Blurred vision, dry eyes, a sensation of eye heaviness, irritation of the eyes, or difficulty focusing.
6. Frequent Infections – Increased susceptibility to infections, such as gum, skin, or bladder infections.
7. Skin problems - Dry, rough, and itchy skin or rashes, particularly in the extremities, may become more severe during certain weather changes.
8. Weight gain or loss - Unexplained weight changes that do not align with diet or exercise. Weight loss despite eating more or slow, steady weight gain.
9. Healing takes longer - wounds, cuts, and bruises heal more slowly than they should.  
10. Feet problem - may include numbness, tingling, loss of sensitivity, a burning sensation, or sharp pain.
11. Decreased cognitive function - Difficulty focusing, poor memory, mental exhaustion or fatigue, and decreased cognitive function.

In the case of type 1 diabetes, the above symptoms develop quickly in a shorter period. In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms occur gradually for months to years. In some individuals, there are no symptoms at all, and so it often goes undiagnosed. 

Many type 2 diabetes patients unknowingly have this condition and consult a doctor with diabetes complications. That is why diabetes screening is essential for people at diabetes risk.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should have a diabetes blood test to diagnose or rule out diabetes.

Even if you are diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, then proper treatment can help manage blood sugar levels and also it is possible to reverse diabetes with consistent effort.

When do diabetes symptoms generally occur?

The notable diabetes symptoms occur mostly after having food or drinks rich in sugar or carbs.

People with high fasting blood sugar have severe Polyuria (frequent urination), Polydipsia (severe thirst), and Polyphagia (excess hunger); while waking up. People with high postprandial blood sugar have these symptoms the whole day, immediately after ingesting high-sugar or carb food or drinks.

Pre-diabetes symptoms

Symptoms of pre-diabetes are the same as those of type 2 diabetes, however most notably lesser intensity, and some do not have any symptoms. Therefore, it is advisable to have diabetes testing regularly if you have diabetes risk factors.

Research suggests that 1 out of 3 adults has prediabetes. Of this, 9 out of 10 don't know they have it. More than one in every ten adults who are 20 years or older has diabetes. For seniors (65 years and older) that figure rises to more than one in four.

How do diabetes symptoms develop?

1. Why pee often and in large quantities? If your blood sugar level gets elevated and your body cells are unable to consume it. This elevated sugar level will persist until the kidneys remove the excess sugar from the blood through urine, Therefore, people with diabetes urinate frequently and or in large quantities; urine often contains large amounts of sugar; thus, it smells sweet.
2. Why have severe, frequent Thirst? The human body needs water to keep enough blood and other fluids. However, frequent urination leads to a depletion of liquid called dehydration which leads to a shortage in saliva, causing dry mouth and throat. Dehydration increases the osmotic blood pressure and lowers blood volume. The kidney releases renin-angiotensin that stimulates the hypothalamus to signal thirst. Thus, people with diabetes have frequent thirst and need to drink often.
3. Why Lack of Energy, Feeling Tired & Fatigue? Inadequate insulin secretion or resistance prevents the body from consuming the available blood glucose. The kidney removes this excess sugar from the body with minerals like potassium, sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride. These minerals are required for energy that gone unutilized. This lack of glucose absorption, removal of vital minerals, and dehydration leads to a lack of energy; thus, diabetics feel tired.
4. Why develop too much hunger? – Experiencing hunger within a few minutes after eating. In almost 40% of people, the thirst mechanism is so weak that – it mistakenly signals hunger. Additionally, the body is not utilizing the blood glucose as usual; thus, low energy is signaled as hunger.
5. Why experience blurred vision? Some may unknowingly have diabetes and feel happy to note they can see distant objects without glasses. Others may find their vision turns blurred. An increase or decrease in blood sugar level makes the eye lens and (or) corneal tissue swell (cause eye heaviness) or shrink, resulting in varying vision. Dehydration due to frequent urination leads to dry or gritty eyes.
6. Why have dry and itchy skin? Dehydration and an inadequate supply of nutrients to the skin make it lose its lust and shine. Which makes the skin itchy?
7. Why do their feet start to tingle or lose sense? When sitting for extended periods, healthy people may experience numbness or a tingling sensation due to poor blood circulation to their extremities. Similarly, individuals with diabetes experience a deficiency of nutrients in their feet due to elevated blood sugar levels, which results in tingling or numbness.
8. Why do sores take longer to heal? Healing takes longer due to low nutrient supply. Also, the immune system is compromised due to high blood glucose levels. Thus, diabetics' soreness takes longer to heal.
9. Why do diabetics lose or gain weight? Some may lose weight, because of the low utilization of blood glucose due to insulin resistance. Some with diabetes gain weight, because of frequent hunger, continuous dumping of food items, and unnecessary fat storage. Thus, people with diabetes have sudden weight loss or slow gradual weight gain.
10. Why experience frequent infection? Elevated glucose level in the blood, tissue, urine, etc. is the breeding ground for harmful microorganisms that lead to frequent infection.
11. Why do mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating result from elevated blood sugar? Variations in blood glucose levels, whether high or low, can harm blood vessels and throw off the balance of neurotransmitters and serotonin in your brain, which can cause cognitive issues. 

If you experience the above-said diabetes symptoms, then you should undergo a Fasting blood glucose test, Oral glucose tolerance test, and a1c test to confirm or rule out diabetes.

Can diabetes develop without symptoms?

Type 2 diabetes symptoms mostly gone undiagnosed because many of the symptoms seem harmless. 

There are about 20 to 30% of people with type 2 diabetes diagnosed without symptoms (asymptomatic. They are generally diagnosed during routine health checkups or any other illness. 

These individuals do not have frequent urination, thirst, or hunger. Maybe their body is unable to flush out the excess sugar, so no frequent urination, thirst, or hunger.

Generally, this asymptomatic diabetes may continue for more than 5 to 10 years by that time diabetes complications may start affecting various organs. Thus, if you are at an increased risk of diabetes (i.e., have several diabetes risk factors), then you should undergo a routine blood glucose test to diagnose diabetes early and to stop diabetes complications.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Almost half of all deaths are attributable to high blood glucose that occur before the age of 70 years. WHO estimates that diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2016.

Diabetes Symptoms Women

Diabetes symptoms in women and men are the same; however, certain diabetes symptoms are specific to women. 

If you are looking for diabetes symptoms during pregnancy, then please visit gestational diabetes symptoms.

8 Diabetes Symptoms Unique to Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome, skin darkening, urinary tract infection, yeast infection, vaginal itching, white discharge, painful intercourse, and low sexual drive.

How do diabetes symptoms develop in women?

1. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - about half of women with PCOS develop diabetes. Its symptoms are irregular periods, acne, thinning of hair, and excess hair growth on the face and body.
2. Darkening of skin - Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a condition characterized by a darkening of the skin in the nape of the neck, under the armpits, and or groin area. It is an early sign of insulin resistance, which may progress into diabetes.
3. Urinary tract infection (UTI) - UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract and the urethra, ureter, kidney, and bladder. The sugar in the urine is a favorable environment for bacterial overgrowth. UTI is characterized by painful urination, burning sensation, and bloody or cloudy urine.
4. Oral & Vaginal yeast infection - An overgrowth of yeast caused by the Candida fungus can cause oral and vaginal yeast infections. Elevated glucose level is the thriving ground for yeast. Yeast infection is characterized by redness, swelling, and or itching on or around the affected area, whether it is oral or vagina; also, a white curd-like appearance around the spot.
5. Vaginal itching - Itching and burning sensation may indicate yeast infection or dryness. High blood glucose levels can provide an ideal environment for the yeast and diminishes the body's ability to fight infection. Also, improper glucose utilization and removal of minerals lead to dryness that causes itching.
6. Vaginal discharge – White discharge at the beginning or end of the menstrual cycle is regular. However, an abnormal discharge may be thick (cottage cheese-like) consistency yellow or green colored, or foul-smelling. Yeast or bacterial infection usually causes abnormal discharge.
7. Painful sexual intercourse - Nerve damage, insufficient glucose utilization, and removal of minerals along with the urine can result in a lack of secretion of lubricate in the vagina, causing dryness and a burning sensation that leads to painful sex.
8. Low sex drive (libido) – Improper blood flow to the genital area can decrease sexual response, drive, and orgasm.

If you experience some of the above-said symptoms, then you should undergo a diabetes blood test.

Diabetes Symptoms Men

Men generally tend to ignore the symptoms and postpone doctor's visits much longer compared to women.

Men are more likely to develop diabetes; however, less likely to be diagnosed.

9 Diabetes Symptoms Unique to Men

1. Low testosterone (low T) - Testosterone is a sex hormone, low levels of it can cause depression, low energy, low sex drive, and reduced muscle mass. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity all have a connection to testosterone deficiency. Low testosterone levels are 2.1 times higher for men with diabetes.
2. Bladder Issues - These may include an overactive bladder or a challenge controlling urination. Nerve damage due to high blood sugar can damage the genital or urinary tract which causes bladder issues.
3. Low Strength - due to muscle mass loss. If your blood glucose level remains elevated for a long time. Your body will break down fat and muscles for their energy requirement leading to loss of muscle mass and strength. It is more noticeable in type 1 diabetes; it also affects longer undiagnosed and untreated type 2 diabetes.
4. Genital Thrush - It is characterized by redness, swelling, and or itching on or around your penis, an unpleasant odor with a white curd-like appearance between your penis and skin, and soreness during sex. Sugar is passed out via the urine in diabetes; this could be a favorable environment for the yeast to thrive. So, men with diabetes develop repeated thrush.
5. Penis itching – Dealing with an itchy penis is an uncomfortable thing. It may be due to microbial infection (bacteria or virus), dehydration, or reduced blood flow to the genital due to high sugar.
6. Retrograde ejaculation – It is a condition characterized by some of the semen released into the bladder, so noticeably less sperm released during ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is a result of nerve damage due to high blood sugar.
7. Peyronie’s disease – It is the curvature of the penile, and bending of the genital. High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels, which can affect blood flow to the penis. Reduced blood flow to the genital may cause the curving of the penile.
8. Erection problems – Erectile dysfunction is characterized by either being unable to achieve or maintain a sufficient erection. Reduced blood flow to the penis might lead to difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
9. Decreased sex drive - Low libido means reduced desire for sexual activity. High blood sugar levels might lower testosterone levels and cause erectile dysfunction, which could reduce the desire for sexual activity.

Early diagnosis helps to start proper treatment in time to prevent diabetes complications.