If you are carrying too much weight and have a family history of diabetes, it’s time to pay attention!
If not treated correctly, diabetes can cause serious health problems. In type 2 diabetes, a person can be insulin-resistant, or suffer from a lack of insulin. There is no cure, but management through diet and exercise can keep things in check. Low carbohydrate and high fat (LCHF) diets are also getting some great results at turning the tables on diabetes.
The United States has more than 8 million people with undiagnosed diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association. Get a checkup with your doctor, and start implementing dietary and lifestyle changes—don’t leave it until it's too late.
Here are some signs you could be suffering from insulin resistance or diabetes.
1. Excessive Thirst and Hunger
Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is a symptom often missed in type 2 diabetes. Often, people just think it is the hot weather making them drink more. But if your body is overflowing with too much glucose, your kidneys are under pressure trying to keep up, leaving you feeling dehydrated.
2. Frequent Urination
Do you take many bathroom breaks, especially during the night? "If your body doesn't make enough insulin (a hormone that carries glucose into your cells to give them energy) glucose builds up in your bloodstream and comes out in your urine," explains Janet Silverstein, MD, chief of pediatric endocrinology at the University of Florida.
3. Skin Issues
Too much insulin in the body can manifest as a skin condition, such as very dry itchy skin, and patches of flaky skin around the eyes. Excessive insulin can cause a dark-colored ring of soft skin on the back of the neck. Other discolored skin patches can occur on the body as well.
4. Unexplained Weight Loss
Although losing weight is more common in individuals with type 1 diabetes, it can be a symptom of type 2 diabetes as well. When the body struggles to make insulin, the cells can't use the glucose from food for energy, which prompts the breakdown of fat. In turn, this triggers rapid weight loss.
5. Vision Problems
Are you finding it hard to focus? A buildup of glucose in the lens of the eye can be caused by high blood sugar. Go get your eyes checked if you have problems with your eyesight.
6. Wounds Slow to Heal and Frequent Infections
High sugar levels in the blood can affect your defense mechanisms, causing you to suffer from frequent infections. Also for women, candida can be a sign of diabetes. Cuts and abrasions also might take a long time to heal.
7. Tingling Hands and Numb Feet
Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet can be the result of nerve damage caused by diabetes. There can also be a burning pain in the limbs.
If you do have some of these symptoms, it can be wise to go to the doctor to have a checkup. A blood test is an easy way to make sure everything is in order.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
