Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses glucose, the sugar that is the primary source of energy for the body. When you eat, food is broken down into glucose and other nutrients and travels to cells throughout the body.
The hormone insulin is made by the pancreas and helps glucose get into your cells. For people with type 2 diabetes, either the body does not make enough insulin or the cells do not respond to insulin appropriately, so blood sugar stays higher than it should.
What are the early signs of type 2 diabetes?
The best way to catch diabetes early is to test your blood sugar and A1c (a 2-3 month average of blood sugars) as there are usually no early signs.
It can take several years for signs or symptoms to show up, but chronically high blood sugar can cause the following:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme fatigue
Weight loss can also happen because your body isn't getting the nutrients it needs, but this is rare in people with type 2 diabetes.
Are signs of diabetes different for men and women?
The signs and symptoms of diabetes aren't necessarily different for men and women, but they can present a little differently.
Men are less likely to visit their doctor for annual physicals, so they may miss an early diagnosis. Diabetes can also cause erectile dysfunction because high blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels.
While women may visit their doctor earlier, they also have a higher chance of missing the early signs of complications related to heart disease. Diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks because of damage to the blood vessels, but women can have symptoms other than chest pain like neck or jaw pain, fatigue, or even nausea and vomiting.
What causes type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes isn't caused by one single factor, but a combination of factors can influence whether someone is diagnosed, including:
- Genetics and family history
- An environment like where you live or exposure to pollution
- Lifestyle habits like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management
Diabetes takes time to develop, so catching it early through testing and making small changes to your lifestyle can prevent or slow the progression of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic but manageable condition
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses glucose. Diabetes often doesn't have any early signs, so the best way to prevent or slow progression is by checking blood sugar and A1c levels. 9amHealth makes it easy and affordable to take charge of your health with at-home blood sugar testing. You can get started here.
At-home labs makes diabetes prevention and care easier
If you're looking for a convenient, affordable way to keep tabs on your blood sugar levels, 9amHealth has you covered. With our at-home blood sugar testing, you can get the reliable information you need to manage your diabetes care with ease.
