Warning Signs Of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the US and many other countries. In the US alone more than 18 million people have received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. As large as this number seems, the trend is for this number to continue rising. This is not too surprising when you consider that the most commonly associated risk factor for diabetes is obesity, which is also on the rise.

You should consult your physician if you have these warning signs of Type 2 diabetes:

Genital itching that can't be linked to a sexually transmitted disease may be a symptom that you have type 2 diabetes. Be particularly scrutinizing if it seems to be a constant problem. It could be a yeast infection. Yeast infections are particularly attracted to sugar. When you have constantly high blood sugar you may find yourself getting plenty of yeast infections.

Blurred vision can be caused by type 2 diabetes. Extremes in blood sugar levels can cause swelling and shrinking within the lenses of your eyes. This makes it very hard for your eyes to focus in on things quickly. And thus, you may find that you have blurred vision when trying to change focus distances on a regular basis.

Extreme fatigue is a common warning sign of diabetes that often goes unrecognized because it is also a symptom for a myriad of other physical conditions. Diabetics with type 2 diabetes suffer fatigue because their cells aren't able to get the sugar they need out of the bloodstream. The damages caused by the diabetes can also increase a person's fatigue level. Even if you think your fatigue is caused by a hectic schedule, it might be a good idea to make sure that is the sole cause of your fatigue. There are other serious causes of fatigue that you may also need to have checked out.

4. If you have near constant numbness in your legs or feet you should see your doctor immediately. This can be caused by damage to the nerves that results after one has been diabetic for a long time. The term used for this condition is diabetic neuropathy. It is a very serious symptom to suffer because it generally takes at least five years to develop and often as long as ten years. Do not fall into the twisted line of thinking that if you've survived with it this long it won't hurt to wait a little longer. Do not delay medical attention for this major warning sign.