Type 2 diabetes most commonly develops in people over 45, but is increasingly seen in younger adults and children; the mean age at diagnosis in some studies is around the mid-40s (e.g., 45.1 for men, 45.0 for women), though prevalence peaks much later, especially in the 65+ age group, with many unaware they have it for years.
The average age of onset for type 2 diabetes. The onset of diabetes is most common in people ages 45 to 64. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It usually appears after the age of 45 but can occur at any age.
Life expectancy is known as the number of years a person is expected to live. At age 50, life expectancy is 6 years shorter for people with type 2 diabetes than for people without diabetes. By meeting type 2 diabetes treatment goals, life expectancy can increase by 3 years, or for some, as much as 10 years.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of skin rashes like acanthosis nigricans. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is often to blame. A rash can also be a sign of prediabetes. Many diabetes rashes clear up after blood sugar is managed.
Early signs of Type 2 diabetes often include increased thirst and frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and frequent infections, but many people have no symptoms, with gradual weight gain or dark skin patches (acanthosis nigricans) also being possible indicators. Because symptoms can be subtle, early detection through regular checkups is key, as they can often be managed or even reversed with lifestyle changes, say Better Health Channel, Diabetes Australia and Medical News Today.
For many people, the journey to type 2 diabetes begins with a lesser-known condition: insulin resistance. It's a silent disruptor that often goes unnoticed until blood sugar levels are dangerously high.
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs. You may be able to treat itching yourself.
There's no cure for diabetes and no way to completely get rid of it. However, diabetes can be reversed in most people. Reversing diabetes means carefully managing blood sugars to a point where medications are no longer necessary, and staying at that manageable point through a healthy routine of diet and exercise.
To manage diabetes, avoid sugary drinks, refined carbs (white bread, pasta, rice), processed foods, sweets (candy, cakes), unhealthy fats (fried foods, trans fats, high-fat dairy), and limit red/processed meats, while focusing on fiber-rich, whole foods. Key is to control blood sugar spikes by reducing added sugars, sodium, unhealthy fats, and simple carbs.
While diabetes is a serious condition, it is not a terminal illness. People with diabetes have a greater risk of dying earlier than people without diabetes. But only a small number of deaths of people with diabetes is directly because of their diabetes.
It's not your fault
You've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because your body doesn't use insulin well. Because of that, it can't keep your blood sugar at normal levels. There are many factors that can lead to type 2 diabetes.
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The younger a person who receives a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is, the higher the risk that diabetes-linked complications will shorten their lifespan. However, by adopting effective management strategies, there is a good chance that a person living with type 2 diabetes may live as long as a person without the condition.
Lack of sleep causes less insulin to be released in your body after you eat while your body secrets more stress hormones, which helps you stay awake, but insulin cannot do its job effectively. Too much glucose stays in the bloodstream, which increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The goal for most adults with diabetes is an A1C that is less than 7%. If your A1C level is between 5.7 and less than 6.5%, your levels have been in the prediabetes range. If you have an A1C level of 6.5% or higher, your levels were in the diabetes range.
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However, we now understand that people with type 2 diabetes who lose significant weight and improve other factors related to diabetes can achieve remission. With sustained weight loss, people may stay in remission for quite some time.
If your blood sugar is low, follow the 15-15 rule: Have 15 grams of carbs, then wait 15 minutes. Check your blood sugar again. If it's still less than 70 mg/dL, repeat this process.
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
Many people with diabetes have peripheral artery disease (PAD), which reduces blood flow to the feet. Also, many people with diabetes have neuropathy, causing you to not feel your feet. Together, these problems make it easy to get ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation.
Greater thirst and more urination
Being very thirsty and urinating often are common diabetes symptoms. In people who have diabetes, extra sugar — which also is called glucose — builds up in the blood. This forces the kidneys to work overtime to filter and absorb the extra sugar.
The 4 Ps of diabetes – polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and sometimes a fourth P – are key signs of high blood sugar. These symptoms have been known for centuries as signs of diabetes mellitus. Learning about the history of these symptoms helps us understand their importance.
Warning Signs and Symptoms