Type 2 diabetes: early detection, early response

Type 2 diabetes is a common chronic disease, the main characteristic of which is the inability of the body to use insulin effectively or to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. If not detected and treated in a timely manner, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease and blindness. Therefore, early detection and early response are essential to control conditions and prevent complications.

The early symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be very minor or not even apparent in some cases, but the common early signs include: 1. Frequent urination: due to excessive blood sugar levels, the kidneys need to remove extra sugar, which can lead to frequent urine, especially at night. 2. Increased thirst: High blood sugar leads to loss of water in the body, thus creating a constant thirst. 3. Weight change: Despite the increase in appetite, body weight may decrease because of the inability of the body to use blood sugar effectively as a source of energy. 4. A sense of fatigue: Patients often feel extremely tired because of their inability to transform glucose into energy. 5. Fuzzy vision: high blood sugar alters the liquid density of the eyeball, leading to blurred vision. 6. Slow healing of wounds: high blood sugar affects blood circulation and immune system functions, slowing the healing of wounds. 7. Hand and foot numbing or stinging: Long-term high blood sugar can damage the nervous system, leading to a sting or numbing of the hand and foot.

The key to preventing type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle: 1. Healthy diet: choice of fibre-rich whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and reduction of intake of processed, sugary and fat foods. 2. Regular exercise: Aerobic exercise of at least 30 minutes per week, such as walking, swimming or cycling, helps to increase insulin sensitivity. 3. Weight control: Maintaining a healthy body weight can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, in particular by avoiding accumulation of abdominal fat. 4. Periodic medical examinations: blood sugar testing should be conducted regularly, especially for groups with a history of diabetes, obesity or other risk factors.

Early screening can help early detection of pre-diabetes or diabetes itself. It is recommended that regular blood sugar testing be carried out for adults over 40 years of age, especially for groups with diabetes family history or overweight. Early diagnosis and intervention can effectively slow progress and reduce the incidence of complications.

Overall, understanding the early symptoms of type 2 diabetes and taking proactive preventive measures are important steps in protecting their health. In the event of such symptoms, medical attention should be provided in a timely manner and the risk of disease should be reduced through a healthy lifestyle.