Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions and the incidence continues to climb. It’s a serious disease that can shorten your lifespan and cause terrible symptoms. There are currently more than 9 million people with diabetes in the USA. Another 84.1 million have prediabetes, which usually leads to type 2 diabetes within five years. Most of the diabetics in the country have type 2 diabetes, but the incidence of type 1 diabetes is also rising.

The longer a person has type 2 diabetes, the more harm it can cause. High blood sugar has very destructive effects on nearly every part of the body, and the longer blood sugar remains elevated, the more harm it can inflict.

There are many undiagnosed type 2 diabetics. The symptoms can be mild and are typically overlooked. Many people do not visit their doctor each year for a check-up, so they may never know their blood sugar is too high.

7 symptoms that may indicate you have diabetes

1. Increased urination

If the blood sugar becomes too high, the body tries to dump the excess into urine to get it out of the body. Glucose takes water with it, so there is increased urinary output. Getting up at night to urinate can be another indicator.

2. Poor sleep

Sleep apnea is extremely common in type 2 diabetics, especially overweight ones. It is a very common cause of waking up feeling unrefreshed, and being tired all day. It is quite a common cause of motor vehicle accidents as people may fall asleep at the wheel.

People who get sleep apnea are more likely to carry excess weight on their upper body – torso and neck area. When adipose tissue (fat) encroaches the upper respiratory tract and throat, it impedes the flow of air, particularly when a person is lying down. Sleep apnea is also more common in people who drink alcohol (particularly in the evening) and people with a blocked nose or sinuses. Sleep apnea significantly raises the risk of high blood pressure and dementia. If you are overweight and suffering with significant fatigue, please ask your doctor for a sleep study.

Weight loss can eliminate sleep apnea entirely. Limiting alcohol is also very effective. Foods that increase mucus congestion such as dairy products, wheat and sugar should be eliminated to facilitate easier breathing.

3. Increased hunger/thirst

Most people are aware these are typical symptoms of high blood sugar. They are often overlooked and mistaken for being stressed, busy or living in a hot climate.

4. Increased infections

Diabetics are more prone to developing infections and the infections can take longer to overcome. Sugar can act as a fertiliser for bacteria, encouraging its growth. Boils are a skin infection often associated with diabetes. In women, repeated urinary tract infections or vaginal yeast infections may indicate diabetes. It usually takes a diabetic longer to recover from a cold or flu.

5. Skin conditions

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that causes dark, velvety discoloration. It particularly occurs in body folds and creases. The skin usually becomes thickened. The most common sites of the body to be affected are the armpits, groin and neck. Skin tags are little flaps of skin that can occur anywhere on the body, but are typically found near the armpits, on the chest and on the eyelids.

Both conditions can occur as a result of insulin resistance; also known as syndrome X, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Therefore they are most common in people who are overweight (particularly around their torso), women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and people with type 2 diabetes.

6. Hormone changes

Men and women who develop type 2 diabetes often experience hormonal changes. Men usually experience a drop in testosterone. This can cause low libido, reduced muscle strength, fatigue and reduced motivation. Erectile problems are common. This can be due to reduced testosterone, but also because high blood sugar can clog the arteries to the penis and impair nerve function.

Many women with type 2 diabetes experience an elevation in male hormones, such as testosterone and others. This can cause scalp hair loss in the male pattern; some women develop excess facial hair and body hair, and they may gain weight in their torso. These symptoms are typical in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome but can also occur in older women who no longer menstruate.

7. Tingling/numbness/burning

High blood sugar damages nerves; therefore, these symptoms are typical in diabetics. The higher the blood sugar, the more intense the symptoms. The nerve symptoms most commonly occur in hands and feet. They are not always due to diabetes. Vitamin B12 deficiency, autoimmune disease, spinal alignment problems and alcohol excess are other potential causes. Impaired nerve health in diabetic women can result in inability to orgasm.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your doctor and ask for your blood sugar to be checked. If you know you are a diabetic, you can do something about it. In the vast majority of cases, type 2 diabetes can actually be reversed. Blood sugar can be normalized, a healthy weight can be achieved and the complications of diabetes can be avoided. We describe how to do that in our book Diabetes Type 2: You Can Reverse It.

Berberine is the most potent natural medicine for reducing elevated blood sugar quickly. Berberine is a plant extract that helps to normalize blood sugar by reversing insulin resistance. It helps insulin to work more efficiently in your body. Berberine also helps with weight loss from the torso and normalization of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Sugar and high carb foods can be extremely addictive, and for many people, eating is their primary stress-coping mechanism. The ingredients in Glicemic Balance capsules help to prevent crashes in blood sugar. This means you are far less likely to experience cravings and excessive hunger. Stable blood sugar also means less anxiety. That way it’s easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

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