Suara.com – At a glance diabetes type 2 seems harmless because the symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel bad.
In fact, you can live with this chronic condition for years without even knowing it. Diabetes only tends to assert itself when blood sugar levels are consistently high and when dry mouth or fruity breath occurs.
Dr Ralph Abraham, Consultant Diabetes, Lipid Disorders and Endocrinologist outlines some of the signs of type 2 diabetes.
The most obvious, he said, was dry mouth. But a person may suspect that something is wrong if you wake up frequently at night to urinate and feel thirsty.
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As he explains, thirst and increased urination due to diabetes are well known and occur when blood glucose is very high.
“But first thing in the morning, it’s a dry mouth and throat to watch out for diabetes.”
Dry mouth is clinically known as xerostomia and occurs when there is a lack of saliva in the mouth.
Saliva helps control bacterial levels as well as balance and remove acid around the teeth and gums.
Diabetes.co.uk explains that people with diabetes are more prone to dry mouth and fungal infections such as thrush because of the high glucose levels in their blood and saliva. “
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When someone has type 2 diabetes, their body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly.
The glucose then remains in the blood and cannot enter the cells.
When the body can’t get energy from glucose, fat is burned instead.
The fat burning process creates a buildup of acids in your blood called ketones, which lead to DKA if left untreated.
Fruit-smelling breath is a sign of high ketone levels in someone who has diabetes. It is also one of the first symptoms that doctors look for when examining DKA.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) affects people who have diabetes, says the Mayo Clinic.
The health website adds: “Several factors can cause hyperglycemia in people with diabetes, including food choices and physical activity, illness, nondiabetic drugs, or skipping or not taking enough glucose-lowering drugs.
“If hyperglycemia is not treated, it can cause toxic acids (ketones) to build up in the blood and urine (ketoacidosis).
“Signs and symptoms include fruity breath.”
If you see any of the above related warning signs you should take steps to lower your blood sugar levels.
Healthy lifestyle changes can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, thereby preventing the risk of triggering a diabetic coma.
One of the most important precautions is to change your diet, avoiding items that can cause blood sugar levels to soar.
Carbs are the worst culprit, so you have to watch your carbohydrate intake.
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