Important Clues For an Early Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes

What are the warning signs for type 2 diabetes? That's an interesting question, especially as it sort of sneaks up on you, you don't really know it's coming! Your blood sugar levels are only mildly elevated in those early years and you don't realize something is not quite right. And often we accept some of the following signs as part of getting older; but they're not!
Early Warning Signs:
Do you have:

• high triglyceride levels
• low HDL (good) cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• diabetes in your family
• even a small pot belly or belly fat
• a 40 inch (100cm) or larger waist for men
• a 35 inch (89cm) or larger waist for women
• experience heartburn often
• a dry mouth
• urinate more frequently than usual
• difficulty concentrating especially after eating
• food cravings

Do you feel:

• tired after eating
• fatigued generally
• cross if you don't eat on time
• as if you can't stop eating
• like snacking frequently

Do you eat:

• to get more energy
• fast foods

Do you participate in:

• little or no physical activity

Do you know:

• if you were a high birth weight baby

Type 2 diabetes: is widespread in industrialized nations such as the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Finland. It is not so prevalent in Asia and Africa. Although people think it is caused by a lack of insulin, the condition is characterized by too much rather than too little.
Increased amounts of body fat usually sets the stage for your body to resist insulin from lowering your blood sugar levels. This is where the term insulin-resistance comes from. If you find you or someone you care about has:

• high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides and any of the above signs

See your health care provider so he can organize:

• fasting blood glucose test
• glucose-tolerance test
• fasting insulin levels

Keep a record of your results, as you could be told you are not pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes, but in actual fact your levels are gradually creeping up and are not high enough for you to receive a definite diagnosis.

The first line of treatment for type 2 diabetes is to follow a healthy eating plan, increase your physical activity and, if necessary, lose weight. If you would like to learn a few weight loss secrets, click here now to download my free eBook: Trim Down Tips.