Endocrinologist Margarita Belousova emphasises the importance of recognising early symptoms such as thirst, weight loss, and fatigue, which can lead to timely diagnosis and treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Strong thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and marked weakness can be early signs of diabetes, endocrinologist Margarita Belousova told RT. The warning signs are important because the disease can begin quietly, with many people noticing little or nothing until a routine test or a more obvious flare-up of symptoms prompts further checks.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says common symptoms also include increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, irritability and recurrent infections. It notes that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may develop gradually, which is one reason the condition is often missed at first.
Belousova distinguished between the two main forms of the disease. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system progressively destroys the pancreas cells that make insulin, and that process can take months even though symptoms may appear in just days or weeks. Type 2 diabetes usually unfolds over years, beginning with insulin resistance before blood sugar rises enough to cause pre-diabetes and then diabetes, according to the CDC and other medical guidance.
She also advised regular exercise, balanced eating and maintaining a healthy weight to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. The CDC lists excess weight, being physically inactive, a family history of the disease and age 45 or older among the main risk factors, while recommending screening earlier for people with obesity, cardiovascular disease or a close relative with diabetes. Medical sources also stress that prompt diagnosis matters because early treatment can reduce the risk of complications.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
