How are type 2 diabetes symptoms different

The type 2 diabetes symptoms are similar to that of Type 1 and Gestational Diabetes, so to better understand why those things happen to the body, let’s learn what Type 2 Diabetes is and then learn how it is different. Once we understand those details and differences, the symptoms will make more sense.

The old name for Type 2 Diabetes was non-insulin dependent diabetes. We hear a lot about this type of diabetes in today’s media  when they are doing news stories about how America has become an overweight or obese country, but in truth although Type 2 can occur due to being overweight, people who are perceived as being healthy and “thin” can just as likely to develop T-2.

What leads to the diagnosis?

When a patient is informed that he has Type-2 diabetes the doctor is saying that the patient’s body is not producing enough insulin or the body cannot use whatever is produced to properly support a healthy immune system. Doctor’s refer to this as “Insulin Resistance.” Essentially speaking, the glucose cannot get into the cell tissue and instead builds up in the person’s blood.

Doctors use blood sugar tests and urinalysis to diagnose diabetes. One blood test is a two hour glucose tolerance test. The other is a hemoglobin test that examines the average sugar levels over a two to three day period. Urinalysis checks for glucose and ketones in the urine.

Similar symptoms to Type-1 with a few changes

Just like Type 1 Diabetes, a patient who has Type-2 will have symptoms related to dehydration, hunger, and fatigue, in addition the Type 2 diabetic also will experience the following symptoms:

• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• Frequent infections and sores that heal slowly
• Frequent urination that exacerbates dehydration

These symptoms can worsen over time due to poor management of blood sugar. When complications arise the milder symptoms can become dangerous if left unchecked:

• Retinopathy: damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes can lead to vision loss
• Kidney damage called nephropathy
• Poor blood circulation that can lead to gangrenous extremities.
• Increasing nerve damage leading to painful disabilities.

In very severe circumstances a patient who is very ill or has been recently very ill or if the person has become dangerously dehydrated to the point that intravenous rehydration is essential to survival may fall into a diabetic coma, medically referred to as hyperosmolar coma.

Who is likely to develop Type-2?

Although Type-2 Diabetes is currently occurring more often among children and youth it still occurs more often among people who are:

• Over the age of 45
• Obese or overweight ( although very thin people can, too)
• Women who had gestational diabetes may develop Type 2 more easily
• If other family members have it a person may also develop T-2 through due to shared environment, including dietary habits, or genetic predisposition.
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Very low HDL cholesterol or very high triglycerides
• High blood pressure
• Certain racial and ethnic groups are also particularly prone.