Type 2 diabetes: Including this food in your Christmas dinner could lower blood sugar



Type 2 diabetes causes a person's blood sugar levels to become too high. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of this chronic condition can result in a person getting treatment sooner, which reduces the risk of severe complications.

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition. A 2017 reportTrusted Source from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 30.3 million adults in the United States have diabetes. The report also estimated that another 84.1 million U.S. adults have prediabetes.
People with prediabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, but doctors do not consider them to have diabetes yet. According to the CDCTrusted Source, people with prediabetes often develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years if they do not get treatment.
The onset of type 2 diabetes can be gradual, and symptoms can be mild during the early stages. As a result, many people may not realize that they have this condition.
In this article, we look at the early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and the importance of early diagnosis. We also discuss the risk factors for developing this condition.

1. Frequent urination

2. Increased thirst

3. Always feeling hungry



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Constant hunger or thirst can be early signs of type abete

People with diabetes often do not get enough energy from the food they eat.
The digestive system breaks food down into a simple sugar called glucose, which the body uses as fuel. In people with diabetes, not enough of this glucose moves from the bloodstream into the body's cells.
As a result, people with type 2 diabetes often feel constantly hungry, regardless of how recently they have eaten.

4. Feeling very tired



Type 2 diabetes can impact on a person's energy levels and cause them to feel very tired or fatigued. This tiredness occurs as a result of insufficient sugar moving from the bloodstream into the body's cells.

5. Blurry vision

6. Slow healing of cuts and wounds

7. Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet

8. Patches of dark skin

9. Itching and yeast infections


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An early diagnosis may help prevent complications.

Recognizing the early signs of type 2 diabetes can allow a person to get a diagnosis and treatment sooner. Getting appropriate treatment, making lifestyle changes, and controlling blood sugar levels can greatly improve a person's health and quality of life and reduce the risk of complications.
Without treatment, persistently high blood sugar levels can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening complications, including:
  • heart disease
  • stroke
  • nerve damage, or neuropathy
  • foot problems
  • kidney disease, which can result in a person needing dialysis
  • eye disease or loss of vision
  • sexual problems in both men and women
Untreated diabetes can also lead to hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS), which causes a severe and persistent increase in blood sugar levels. An illness or infection will usually trigger HHNS, which can require hospitalization. This sudden complication tends to affect older people.
Keeping blood sugar levels under control is crucial for preventing some of these complications. The longer that blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled, the higher the risk of other health problems.


Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but certain factors can increase a person's risk. These risk factors include:
  • being 45 years of age or older
  • living a sedentary lifestyle
  • being overweight or obese
  • eating an unhealthful diet
  • having a family history of diabetes
  • having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • having a medical history of gestational diabetes, heart disease, or stroke
  • having prediabetes
  • being of African American, Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander descent

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes high blood sugar levels. Early signs and symptoms can include frequent urination, increased thirst, feeling tired and hungry, vision problems, slow wound healing, and yeast infections.
Anyone who experiences possible signs and symptoms of diabetes should see a doctor for an evaluation, especially if they have other risk factors for developing this condition. The early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes can improve a person's quality of life and reduce the risk of severe complications

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