Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease-Symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease - Symptoms

High blood sugar

When you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar can rise slowly over hours or days. You may not notice that anything is wrong. Symptoms of high blood sugar include:

Being very thirsty.
Urinating a lot.
Losing weight without trying.
Having blurry vision.

It's important to know these symptoms so you can treat them before they get worse and you need medical attention. If your blood sugar stays higher than your target range and you don't drink enough liquids, you can get dehydrated. This can make you feel dizzy and weak and can lead to an emergency called a hyperosmolar state.

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Low blood sugar

When your blood sugar is too low, it can also cause problems. And it can happen suddenly. Quickly treating low blood sugar can help you avoid passing out (losing consciousness). You can pass out when your blood sugar gets very low. Low blood sugar can also lead to a heart attack. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

Sweating.
Shakiness.
Weakness.
Hunger.
Confusion.

If you aren't able to tell when your blood sugar is too low, it's a good idea to test your blood sugar often. But you're not likely to get low blood sugar unless you take insulin or oral diabetes medicines.

Symptoms of complications

Talk with your doctor if you notice any of these signs:

Numbness, tingling, burning pain, or swelling in your feet or hands. This could be a sign of diabetic neuropathy. For more information, see the topic Diabetic Neuropathy.
Blurry or spotty vision or seeing flashes. This may be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. For more information, see the topic Diabetic Retinopathy.
Cuts or sores that won't heal or that look infected. This could mean damage to blood vessels.
Chest pain or shortness of breath. This may be a sign of heart disease or blood vessel problems (macrovascular disease).
Other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, such as:
- Frequent bloating, belching, constipation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or belly pain after you eat (gastroparesis).
- Heavy or reduced sweating.
- Feeling weak or dizzy when you stand up quickly.
- Not knowing when your bladder is full or having problems emptying it.
- Erection problems or vaginal dryness.
- Not being able to tell when your blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia unawareness).

You won't have any symptoms of kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) until the problem is severe. Then you may notice swelling in your feet or legs or all over your body. Having regular tests to check for protein in your urine is the only way to find diabetic nephropathy before symptoms start.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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