Making a Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

You worry that you might have type 2 diabetes, a diagnosis is needed. How is a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes made and what leads a primary health care physician to test at all? When would you need to eat a special diet because of diabetes?

Many of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop over a long time and aren't really obvious, until you put them all together. Some people have no outward symptoms at all. Not everyone with these symptoms has diabetes, and not everyone with diabetes will get these symptoms.

Frequency of urination is a common symptom of type 2 diabetes. Diagnosis is sometimes made based on this noticeable symptom. This symptom is caused by the kidneys trying to flush out the extra glucose in the body through the urine. There will usually be more urine than before, and the urgency will come much more frequently.

However, there is generally also more thirst than usual, leading the person to drink copious amounts of fluid. The level of water in the body wants to stay normal – so the body requests more, and the person feels more thirst.

Thirdly, the person will be more tired than usual, because the glucose in the body isn't being used the right way for energy. These three symptoms together can lead to a first diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Sometimes youth with type 2 diabetes will develop a condition of the skin called acanthosis nigricans. This is a situation (also seen in obesity and insulin resistance) where the body develops thick, dark, velvet-like skin in certain places on the body. Usually they are in the armpits, groin, between the fingers and toes, on the elbows or knees, or around the neck.

For girls, a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be associated with insulin resistance. It is caused by hormones, and causes the ovaries to enlarge and develop cysts. A tell-tale sign of this will be the girl's lack of a regular menstrual cycle. They also can develop extra hair on their face or body. This condition also can cause problems with fertility.

Hypertension and high cholesterol can also be a result of diabetes symptoms, which can lead to a greater chance of heart disease, stroke, and other issues in the future.

If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the first thing to do is to discuss with your doctor the life changes you need to make. These will be things like losing weight, increasing exercise, and taking control of your eating. These can be learned to do, and become a natural part of your life, if you are willing to take control.