Type 2 diabetes is a condition which causes the levels of sugar in the blood to become too high. If blood sugar isn’t controlled properly and stays too high, it can result in complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease or stroke. Noticing the early warning signs are crucial in order to make the necessary changes in diet and lifestyle.

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Often one assumes weight loss as good and healthy, when people are overweight.

For a person who undergoes a slow steady intentional weight loss using nutritional change and exercise is associated with beneficial effect on the heart, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

In addition, weight loss can reduce insulin resistance and make muscles and fat tissues more sensitive to circulating insulin levels in the blood.

Intentional weight loss is therefore a good thing for people with diabetes, however unintentional weight loss is not.

The Cleveland Clinic said: “All of us can gain or lose a pound or two; we indulge a little too much and then we put in a few extra workouts.

“But if you haven’t tightened the belt on your diet or ramped up your exercise routine and your weight is still dropping, talk to your doctor.

“While weight loss of just a pound or two isn’t a reason of concern, unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may mean something is wrong.

“It could be an early sign of diabetes.”

Why type 2 diabetes could cause weight loss?

Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use glucose for energy.

If a person has type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t use insulin effectively and can’t transport the glucose to the cells.

Instead, it builds up in the blood. When the glucose doesn’t arrive in the cells, the body begins to think it’s starving and finds a way to compensate.

It creates energy by burning fat and muscle at a rapid pace and this causes unexplained weight loss.

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Losing weight could be dangerous if the blood sugars are too high or too low or if heart disease is present.

This is why exercise and weight loss programmes should be started only after discussion with a physician.

Any unexplained weight loss, in patients with or without known diabetes may be a sign of high blood sugars or another serious illness.

Other early warning signs of type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst, always feeling hungry, feeling very tired, blurry vision, slow healing cuts and wounds or experiencing tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet.

If you or someone you know may be worried about any unusual symptoms speak to your GP who will be able to determine what the possible cause may be.

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