Around one in ten people in the United States have some form of diabetes. About 90% – 95% of those people have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person’s pancreas stops producing enough insulin and their cells don’t effectively use the insulin that is produced. Here are nine early warning signs of type 2 diabetes. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to talk with your healthcare provider.

Always Feeling Hungry

People with type 2 diabetes often don’t get enough energy from food, leaving them feeling hungry most of the time. 

Feeling Very Tired

Fatigue occurs as a result of insufficient sugar moving from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. 

Increased Urination

When the body produces too much blood sugar, the kidneys try to remove excess sugar by filtering it out of the blood. This leads to more frequent urges to urinate. 

Increased Thirst

Frequent urination caused by type 2 diabetes typically allows the body to lose additional water which leads to increased thirst. 

Blurry Vision

Excess sugar in the body can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes causing blurry vision. 

Slow-healing Wounds

High blood sugar levels can damage the body’s nerves and blood vessels resulting in impaired blood circulation. This impaired circulation causes wounds and cuts to be slower healing than normal. Slow-healing wounds can become easily infected which is why it is important to see your doctor if you are experiencing this symptom. 

Tingling, Numbness, or Pain in the Hands or Feet

The same damage to the body’s nerves and blood vessels caused by high blood sugar levels can also lead to feelings of tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet. 

Dark Skin Patches

Soft, velvety, dark patches of skin that develop on the creases of the neck, armpit, or groin are often a sign of type 2 diabetes.

Itchy skin and Yeast Infections

Excess sugar in the blood and urine provides food for yeast which can lead to a yeast infection. One of the most common symptoms of a yeast infection is itchiness. Yeast infections occur more often in people with diabetes than in others. 

When to Talk to Your Provider

Recognizing the early signs of type 2 diabetes can literally save your life. If you have developed any of these symptoms, it’s time to talk with your provider. An early diagnosis means earlier treatment which can prevent serious or life-threatening complications of diabetes. 

If you are experiencing type 2 diabetes symptoms, your EliteCare provider can help. We are open for walk-ins seven days a week for your convenience. Stop by our clinic today to get the answers you need.