Type 2 diabetes, previously called adult onset diabetes, often has few or no symptoms, the American Diabetes Association states. Because of this, the disease can do considerable damage before you realize that you have it. If you have a family history of the disease or risk factors such as obesity, being aware of warning signs can help you recognize and treat type 2 diabetes before serious damage is done. Regular blood work can also give early warning of potential or developing type 2 diabetes.
Abnormal Blood Glucose Levels
A normal fasting blood glucose level after not eating or drinking anything but water for 8 hours is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), the ADA explains. Fasting blood sugar between 100 mg/dl and 126 mg/dl is considered pre-diabetic; if your blood glucose falls into this level, exercising and losing weight may keep you from developing type 2 diabetes or delay its onset. Fasting blood glucose levels of over 126 mg/dl on two separate occasions means that you have type 2 diabetes.
History of Gestational Diabetes
Women who had gestational diabetes, diabetes that develops during pregnancy and then disappears after delivery, develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years in 20 to 50 percent of cases, the National Institutes of Health states. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, an inability of the body to use insulin to absorb glucose into the blood. Pregnancy causes some degree of insulin resistance in all pregnant women, but only around 8 percent develop gestational diabetes. Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes or delivering babies who weigh over 9 pounds are definite warning signs that you may develop type 2 diabetes.
Early Warning Signs
The early warning symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often subtle and may be missed completely. Type 2 diabetes often causes increased hunger and thirst, fatigue and an increase in urination, according to the Merck Manual. You may feel weak and have changes in your mental status. Vision may be blurry at times. You may be more prone to bacterial and fungal infections. Symptoms fluctuate with your blood glucose levels.
Late Warning Signs
Diabetes damages the small blood vessels all over your body. As type 2 diabetes progresses, symptoms become more noticeable. Poor circulation may cause neuropathy, numbness and tingling in hands and feet. You may have decreased feeling in extremities, which can lead to small injuries becoming infected. This is especially common in diabetic feet and legs. Kidney damage can cause fluid retention and fatigue, but serious damage is done to the kidneys before most symptoms are noticeable. Vision changes due to retinopathy, damage to the small blood vessels in the retina in around 45 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes, the National Eye Institute warns.
References
- American Diabetes Association: How to Tell if You Have Pre Diabetes
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
- National Institutes of Health: Type 2 Diabetes Risk After Gestational Diabetes
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy
- American Diabetes Assocation: Symptoms
