Do you also feel thirsty all the time? Do you need to urinate frequently? Or do you feel hungry again after a short while, no matter how much you eat? Although these may seem like normal things, sometimes these can be small warnings from within our body. Today we are talking about Type 2 Diabetes, a disease that is common among many people in our country, but many do not recognize it in the early stages.
Simply put, what is type 2 diabetes?
Okay, let's put it this way. There is a special hormone that helps our body's cells use the sugar (glucose) in the food we eat as energy. It's called insulin. Now, in type 2 diabetes, one of two problems happens. Either your body doesn't produce enough of this hormone, insulin. Or, your body can't use the insulin it does produce properly.
Whatever the cause, the sugar (glucose) from the food we eat can't get into our cells and ends up in our blood. This is what we call "high blood sugar." About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The best part is that it can be managed well with lifestyle changes and sometimes medication.
But the scariest thing is that one in four people with this condition don't know they have diabetes. That's because the symptoms are often very subtle.
What are the first symptoms we should look out for?
Take a look to see if you have one or more of these symptoms. Don't dismiss them as normal. These are signals your body is giving you.
| Symptom | Why is this happening? (Simple explanation) |
|---|---|
| Frequent thirst | When your blood sugar levels rise, your kidneys have to work harder to get rid of the extra sugar in your urine. This process also removes water from your body, leaving you dehydrated and feeling thirsty all the time. |
| Frequent hunger | Because your body's cells don't get the energy (sugar) they need, your brain constantly gets the signal "I'm hungry." Even after you eat a big plate of rice, you may feel hungry again a short time later. |
| Frequent urination | As mentioned earlier, you need to urinate frequently as a result of your kidneys trying to get rid of the extra sugar. |
| Dry mouth | Frequent urination and dehydration also dehydrate your mouth. |
| Unexpected weight loss | When you urinate frequently, your body excretes calories along with sugar. This can cause you to lose weight, even if you eat normally. |
| Feeling tired and exhausted all the time | Because your body's cells don't get enough energy, you may feel constantly tired, sleepy, and unable to do anything. |
| Blurred vision | High blood sugar levels can affect the lenses of your eyes, making it difficult for you to focus and blurring your vision. |
| Delayed wound healing | High blood sugar levels interfere with blood circulation and also impair the body's natural healing process, making even minor injuries take longer to heal. |
| Numbness in the limbs | Diabetes can damage your nerves. In the early stages, you may experience numbness and tingling in your hands and especially your feet. |
Other things to pay attention to
In addition to the above symptoms, some people may also experience:
- Frequent headaches.
- Redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. Diabetes increases the risk of gum infections.
- Sometimes fainting. This happens especially if your blood sugar levels suddenly drop too low. For example, after exercising, skipping a meal, or taking too much medication.
Complications that can occur if diabetes is not controlled
If these symptoms are ignored, they can lead to serious health problems over time. That's why it's so important to identify and control them early.
- Hypoglycemia: This is when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low. This can lead to accidents, coma, and even death.
- Hyperglycemia: This is when blood sugar levels become dangerously high. This can damage the heart, nerves, kidneys, and eyes.
- Heart disease and blood vessel disease: People with diabetes are at increased risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which directly affect heart disease.
- Nerve damage (Diabetic Neuropathy): This can cause numbness and pain in the limbs, as well as problems with the digestive system and urinary system.
- Eye damage: Diabetes can cause serious conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.
- Kidney disease: High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can damage the kidneys and eventually lead to kidney failure.
- Skin problems: Problems such as skin infections, itching, and skin discoloration may occur.
Is diabetes common among children and young people?
Yes. In the past, type 2 diabetes was called "adult-onset diabetes." But now the situation is very different. Especially since the 1990s, the disease has become more common among children and young adults.
The main reason for this is the lifestyle of children today. Things like lack of exercise and obesity caused by fast food consumption have a direct impact on this. Also, if someone in the family has diabetes, children are also at higher risk.
When should you see a doctor?
It's very simple. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, don't ignore it. See your family doctor or a doctor right away to talk about it.
A simple blood test to check your blood sugar levels can tell you for sure whether you have this condition or not. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better your chances are of avoiding serious complications and living a healthy life.
Take-Home Message
- The early symptoms of type 2 diabetes include frequent thirst, frequent urination, excessive fatigue, and headaches.
- Because these symptoms often appear suddenly, many people do not know they have diabetes.
- If you develop any of these new symptoms, don't ignore them. Talk to your doctor right away.
- By adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking medication if necessary, type 2 diabetes can be well controlled and stayed healthy.
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