Feeling tired and weak, feeling irritable or having other changes in mood, having blurred vision, having sores that heal slowly - these are all potential warning signs of diabetes. Women living with type 2 diabetes need to be especially aware of the risks associated with the condition. According to the CDC, diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease approximately four times in women, compared to twice in men. Women are also at greater risk of other diabetes-related complications, such as blindness, kidney disease and depression.
Fortunately, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Most of it boils down to controlling your weight and exercising regularly. Losing just 5% of your current weight can help reverse prediabetes, which occurs when you have higher blood sugar levels but aren't high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. It also helps reduce the consumption of processed foods, alcohol, sugary drinks and trans fats.
Instead, opt for whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, water, and sugar-free beverages. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes aren't always obvious, and the condition may already be damaging nerves, kidneys, and retinas. Learn about the warning signs and find out how to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. The most common early signs of type 2 diabetes may be fatigue and weight gain, but surprisingly they also include symptoms of low blood sugar levels.
Having to go to the bathroom more than usual, especially at night, is a sign that your blood sugar level may be out of control. Frequent urination and excessive thirst are usually mild and can easily be attributed to other factors. Signs of low blood sugar usually appear when a person hasn't eaten for a few hours and include symptoms such as nausea, lightheadedness, severe hunger, and irritability (sometimes jokingly referred to as “hunger”). The “classic signs” of type 2 diabetes that lead people to see a doctor usually include excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs, weight gain and fatigue.
In people with type 1 diabetes, the onset of symptoms may be very sudden, while in type 2 diabetes they tend to appear more gradually and sometimes there are no signs. It's important for women living with type 2 diabetes to be aware of the warning signs so they can take steps to prevent further health complications. By controlling your weight and exercising regularly you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes or reverse prediabetes if you already have it. Pay attention to any changes in your mood or energy levels as these could be early warning signs that something is wrong.
