Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s production and utilization of insulin. In particular, type II diabetes results due to insulin resistance, or the underproduction of insulin by the pancreas. Some of the risk factors of type 2 diabetes include obesity, old age, family history, and inactivity. Luckily, the symptoms of diabetes are quite evident, and include the following:

1. Frequent urination
The urge to urinate frequently may be an indication of high blood sugar levels in the blood. As part of its functions in the human body, the kidney filters out the excess sugar in the blood. The excess sugar is lost through urine. It is uncomfortable for most patients who exhibit this symptom, especially at night, when they have to interrupt their sleep to visit the washroom.

2. Increased thirst
When the body releases excess sugar through the urine, one loses extra water from the body. This may cause dehydration. For normal functioning, the body requires a certain amount of water in the body at all times. It will react to dehydration by causing one to feel thirsty. Thus you need to rehydrate your system.

3. Always feeling hungry
Even if they eat, people with type 2 diabetes may still feel hungry. It happens when the body does not get enough energy in the form of glucose from the process of digestion. For patients, the glucose into the bloodstream to the body cells may not be enough, hence the urge to eat frequently to supplement the shortage.

4. Unexplained fatigue
Unexplained fatigue in people with the disease is closely related to the ‘always feeling hungry’ symptom. One may constantly feel tired due to low energy levels that result from the inadequate supply of sugar (glucose) to the body cells. Patients with this symptom are not able to go about their activities normally.

5. Blurry vision
Excess sugar in the blood can potentially cause damage to the small vessels in the eyes. This will interrupt the normal functioning of the eyes, causing blurry vision. The effect may be on one or both sides. In some cases, it may come and go. If untreated, the damage to the blood vessels in the eyes can worsen and cause a permanent loss of vision.

6. Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Known as neuropathy, the tingling and numbness in the hands or feet result from damage to the body’s nerves. The nerves are damaged due to interrupted blood circulation, resulting from high blood sugar levels. The feeling is uncomfortable to patients and, if untreated, can lead to even more severe complications.

7. Patches of dark skin
Patches or dark areas in the armpits, neck, or groin indicates a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. As excess insulin is produced in the body, the skin produces new cells that have more melanin. These may appear darker than the rest of the skin. This should be an alarm to any person. It may be normal but take the necessary step of visiting a doctor for diagnosis.

It is important to note that not all patients will exhibit the symptoms of type 2 diabetes discussed above. It is unusual to experience only a few of these symptoms because people are affected differently by diabetes. Also, the causes of the disease are varied, and the symptoms will show differently from one person to the next.