March 27th 2019 is Diabetes Alert Day across the U.S. and it’s the perfect time to check in on your health.
It’s a fact that one in three Americans will be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.
Are you next? Find out by clicking here and taking the American Diabetes Association Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test You. You can take active steps now to prevent diabetes from developing, and you can actually reverse the effects of the disease, but the key is to be honest with yourself about your current health.
Not the clicking type? You can also get an idea of where you sit health-wise by answer the following 5 questions, related to type 2 diabetes symptoms. Complications such as kidney disease, blindness, and amputations that arise from type 2 diabetes can be prevented- it’s up to you!
1) Do you have cuts and bruises that are slow to heal?
Having type 2 diabetes can make it hard for your body to heal itself and resist infection. Normally, Iit can take a cut or scrape up to about 2 weeks to heal and if you have a wound that’s hanging on for longer, talk to your doctor.
2) Are you experiencing erectile dysfunction?
Men who suffer from type 2 diabetes often also have problems maintaining an erection firm enough for sex. This happens when bad long-term blood sugar control causes damage to blood vessels and nerves.
Related: Obesity Paradox Debunked: You Can’t be Obese and Healthy at the Same Time
3) Do you pee frequently?
If you find yourself running to the bathroom with increased frequency, you might be suffering from something called polyuria. People with diabetes have excess sugar that builds up in their blood, and this triggers the body to pee it out. It can actually be so bad that it causes you to dehydrate.
4) Are you often thirsty, and you can’t drink enough?
If you have type 2 diabetes, you can also suffer from excessive thirst or polydipsia. This, coupled with peeing too much are classic symptoms of the illness.
5) Are you always hungry?
With diabetes, your body can’t convert the food you eat into usable energy. This can leave you feeling tired and run down. It can lead to a strong, increased feeling hunger that never seems to go away.
Answered ‘yes’ to some of these? Don’t ignore your symptoms. Type 2 diabetes is manageable and even reversible with lifestyle changes, but it can result in serious complications and death if it’s not treated. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns, and set yourself on the right path.
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