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We are all trained to recognize the signs of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. But do you know the signs of a serious complication?
At first glance, managing type 2 diabetes seems like a numbers game. Checking blood sugar numbers, going to the lab for blood work, and dealing with the daily highs and lows of this condition are all part of the job description.
As patients, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to “perform” in terms of numbers, so we tend to focus on our blood sugar management right away and not pay much attention to long-term effects. term of diabetes until we have something to worry about.
This means that the symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are more commonly known and recognized as warning signs.
Signs of hyperglycemia:
- feel like sleeping
- excessive thirst
- blurred vision
- frequent urination
Signs of hypoglycemia:
- tremor
- hunger
- sweat
- feeling nervous or anxious
- irritability
But what about complications beyond the ups and downs? How do you know when something more serious is brewing?
Here are five symptoms you shouldn’t ignore if you’re living with type 2 diabetes.
Typically, when we think of the neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, we think of tingling in our feet, described as tingling. Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-term high blood sugar.
Although it usually starts in the feet, neuropathy can also affect the arms, hands, and legs. Neuropathy also causes numbness, which means you may not notice a cut or sore on your foot until it is already infected.
It is important to adopt a consistent foot care routine that involves daily self-checks at home, as well as a foot exam at every doctor’s appointment.
Diabetes can have a serious impact on your vision, possibly even leading to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy, a disease in which the blood vessels in the retina are damaged by high blood sugar, is one of the most common causes of blindness in adults.
In the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, there may be no obvious symptoms. As the disease progresses, the retina begins to develop new blood vessels that are not as strong, and these vessels may bleed, causing dark spots in your vision.
Since there may not be any noticeable symptoms in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, it is imperative to monitor annual visits to the ophthalmologist to detect any possible problems.
People with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke than people without diabetes. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily blocked.
Other signs of stroke include:
- double vision
- mobility issues
- difficulty speaking
- headache
- dizziness
- confusion
Every small step you take to increase your physical activity and incorporate a healthy diet is a step in the right direction towards risk reduction. These improvements, along with maintaining your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, can help prevent a stroke.
What is the connection between diabetes and hearing? Consistently high or consistently low blood sugar can damage blood vessels in various areas of the body, including the ears. This damage can lead to hearing loss.
Hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as in their non-diabetic peers. It is important to note that even people diagnosed with prediabetes are at a
Signs of hearing loss can include:
- difficulty following conversations
- ask people to repeat themselves
- difficulty hearing in a noisy environment
- increase the volume of the TV
- difficulty hearing small children or other soft-spoken people
If you notice a difference in your hearing, be sure to report it to your doctor.
Loss of interest in your favorite activities
You may be surprised to find that there is a strong link between diabetes and depression. Depression is a medical condition that causes sadness and loss of interest in activities of daily living, even your favorite ones. It can influence how you function in the community, at work, and how you care for yourself and your diabetes.
People with diabetes are
Other signs of depression include:
- overeating or not wanting to eat
- insomnia or too much sleep
- feeling of hopelessness
- feel very tired
- have trouble concentrating
- have thoughts of suicide or death
If you think you are suffering from depression, please contact your doctor as soon as possible for help with treatment options.
As you can see, managing type 2 diabetes goes way beyond the numbers. Just as important is paying attention to your body’s signals, planning and sticking to doctor’s appointments, and staying consistent with healthy habits.
By making yourself a priority now, you can significantly reduce your risk of diabetes complications later.
Mary Van Doorn lives in Georgia with her husband, their two children, three dogs and three cats. She is a type 2 diabetes advocate and the founder of Sugar Mama Strong Fitness & Wellness and Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support. When she’s not taking care of the kids, the house or the zoo, you can find her watching her favorite shows: “Grey’s Anatomy”, “This is Us” and “A Million Little Things”.
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