As reported by the Huffington Post, type 2 diabetes is on the rise, and many people who have it don’t even know it.
The following symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often misdiagnosed as old age, fatigue, stress or eating disorder:
- Decreased energy
- Weight gain
- Insatiable need for carbohydrates
- Increased appetite
Over 7 million people in the US are unaware that they suffer from type 2 diabetes.
The warning signs of type 2 diabetes tend to accumulate gradually, so many diabetics who are unaware of their condition chalk it up to old age or stress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8.3 % of us have type 2 diabetes; that’s almost 26 million Americans.
What you can do about it:
- Get yearly check-ups. Every year your physician should perform the following tests to monitor your blood sugar levels:
Glucose blood test- a standard fast followed by a blood test to check blood sugar. A healthy level is under 95.
Glycosylated hemoglobin A1C test. This is a blood test which reveals your blood sugar levels over the previous three months. A healthy diagnosis is anywhere between 4 and 6.
Triglyceride levels- your doctor should also include this test as part of your cholesterol monitoring. A triglyceride level over 200 could indicate the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Keep a food journal. You might be unconsciously craving carbs, which could mean an unhealthy response to insulin.
- Keep track of your waist size. A large waist circumference is often indicative of a diabetic condition; men with a waist size of over 40 inches and women over 35 inches should visit a doctor and be checked for type 2 diabetes.
- Include more vitamin B12-rich proteins in your diet, in addition to plant-based carbohydrates.
- Exercise regularly. Type 2 diabetes is often a result of excess weight gain, so stay fit by lifting weights and walking or jogging every day.
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