Type 2 diabetes can be a 'devastating diagnosis' says expert
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A chronic and long-lasting health condition, diabetes occurs when sugar in the bloodstream no longer triggers the pancreas to release insulin, which would otherwise enable the cells to absorb excess sugar as a form of energy. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained that diabetes arises when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the insulin it does make does not work properly. One of the earliest warning signs of high blood sugar is “peeing more often and being thirstier”, WebMD certified.
On average, a person urinates between four to seven times during a 24-hour period.
If you suspect you are going to the toilet more than that, it would be handy to document how often you do go every day for a period of time, such as a week.
Collecting such data would be useful for when you visit the doctor to describe your concerns.
WebMD stated that in normal circumstances, the body reabsorbs glucose as it passes through the kidneys.
“But when diabetes pushes your blood sugar up, your kidneys may not be able to bring it all back in,” the health site continued.
“This causes the body to make more urine, and that takes fluids. The result: You’ll have to go more often.”
As urination increases, the feeling of thirst can intensify, leading the person to drink more.
This too causes a person to visit the loo more often, which can seem like a catch-22 situation.
Another early warning sign of high blood sugar is increased hunger and feelings of fatigue.
Such a symptom occurs as the body is unable to use the energy (i.e. sugar/glucose) that is broken down from food.
Instead of the glucose being taken in by the cells, it remains in the bloodstream.
With cells struggling to receive the energy it needs, fatigue can occur, and the desire for more energy creates increased pangs of hunger.
Other possible early indicators of high blood sugar include a dry mouth, itchy skin, and blurred vision.
When blood sugar levels have been mounting for a while, yeast infections are likely.
Both men and women can develop a yeast infection which can occur in any warm, moist fold of skin, such as the fingers, toes, and in and around the sex organs.
MedicAlert advises anybody suspecting they might have diabetes to book an appointment with their doctor.
Your doctor is likely to ask for a urine sample and will arrange a blood test.
Both diagnostic tools assess your blood sugar levels, which can be indicative of diabetes.
It can take a couple of days for the results to come back following the tests.
If you do have diabetes, the GP will explain your test results and how to manage the condition.
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