How I Discovered I Had Type 2 Diabetes

I discovered I had diabetes when I was in my early 30’s. I really knew nothing about the disease. I knew my mother had it but I wasn’t curious enough to know all of the implications of having diabetes. I was admit growing up I did not obey any of the rules of diet and nutrition like so many of us don’t. Looking back, I can see how our bodies to come back to ‘haunt us’ for past mistakes in eating. Admittedly, my doctor told me that I would have developed the disease at some point in my life anyway but the lack of exercise and poor nutrition habits encouraged the early onset on the disease.

Type 2 diabetes is the type that develops later in life due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes is what children usually have when the pancreas is not producing any insulin. The worst part about my diabetes story is that I probably had it long before I paid it any real attention because of not listening to the warning signs.

Here are some warning signs of  Diabetes I overlooked:

1. Excessive Thirst
2. Frequent Urination
3. Feeling Irritable
4. Fatigue
5. Weakness
6. Tingling, numbness in hands, feet and legs
7. Losing Weight Without Trying
8. Feeling Unusually Hungry
9. Frequent Yeast Infections
10. Trouble with infections and bruises taking a long time to heal

Risk Factors:

• Being overweight or obese
• Having a sibling or parent with diabetes
• Having a history of gestational diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• High Triglyceride Levels (bad cholestorol), Low Levels of HDL (good cholesterol)
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle
• Being over age 60+

These are a few warnings that I know I had that were ignored. If you have any of these, please go see a doctor because early detection like any in other disease is crucial in managing it. I call diabetes a ’sinister’ disease because of the way it creeps up on a person and because of the damage it can ultimately do to a person. I’m glad to say that my diabetes is under control right now with medicine and a good diet.