Right now, you might be experiencing some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which include:
  • Frequent urination
  • Unusual thirst
  • Extreme hunger
  • Unusual weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue and irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
  • Tingling/numbness in the hands and feet
  • Skin, gum, or bladder infections
As you bring your blood-glucose levels under control, these symptoms will begin to abate. However, like many people with type 2 diabetes, you might not have any symptoms at all — which can sometimes make it harder to grasp the seriousness of your diagnosis.

Whether you have symptoms or not, over timeuncontrolled levels of high blood sugar can lead to tissue damage throughout your body, from your eyes to your toes. When you have diabetes, you will be seeing your physician on a regular basis to monitor your progress. And it will become more important than ever to get regular dental and eye exams. That’s because diabetes can lead to a range of complications, which you need to know about and be on the lookout for because they are so serious. Fortunately, controlling your blood-glucose levels can help prevent many of these secondary problems.

Diabetic Complications
  • Gum disease and infections
  • Vision problems, including a risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections; a condition called diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss or blindness
  • Neuropathy, or nerve damage, that can cause pain or numbness in your hands and feet
  • Circulatory problems that can eventually lead to amputations (feet, legs)
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney problems
  • High blood pressure
Remember: Taking control of your blood-glucose levels can help prevent many of these secondary problems. Work closely with your care team to maintain a proper diabetes management plan and to watch carefully for troubling symptoms or signs of a developing problem.