Warning Signs You Might Have Diabetes
About one in 10 Americans, or 34.2 million people, live with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data through 2018. Other findings from the data show that one in three people in the country have prediabetes, higher than normal blood sugar level, which can turn into diabetes if left untreated, and that new cases have been skyrocketing among young people.
Some of the most severe diabetes complications include ketoacidosis, which can be fatal, kidney disease, amputation, and blindness. And there is a new risk associated with the disease.
24/7 Tempo reviewed multiple studies and reports by independent health organizations, such as the American Diabetes Association, and JDRF, a leading Type 1 diabetes research group, to compile a list of the 10 biggest warning signs of diabetes.
There are three types of diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes, about 5%-10% of those with the disease, make very little or no insulin — a hormone made by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body by allowing cells to store the broken down sugars, or glucose . They must take insulin every day to live. People with Type 2 diabetes dont use insulin well. Their body is not capable of regulating blood sugar levels. The third type, gestational diabetes, develops in pregnant women. Blood sugar levels usually return to normal after childbirth.
If You Ignore The Signs Of Diabetes
Its hard to ignore the signs of type 1 diabetes because symptoms can often appear quite quickly. But leaving it untreated can lead to serious health problems, including diabetic ketoacidosis, which can result in a potentially fatal coma.
Although the majority of people with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in childhood and early adulthood, the symptoms are the same at any age. Adults with type 1 diabetes may not recognise their diabetes symptoms as quickly as children, which could mean their diagnosis and treatment may be delayed.
Type 2 diabetes can be easier to miss as it develops more slowly, especially in the early stages when it can be harder to spot the symptoms. But untreated diabetes affects many major organs, including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Being diagnosed early and managing your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications. Use our Know Your Risk tool to check your risk of type 2 diabetes.
How To Lower Your Risk
Good habits go a long way toward preventing the other health problems that diabetes can cause. Make these tips part of your regular health routine:
Keep tight control of your blood sugar. Itâs the best way to avoid diabetes complications. Your levels should stay in these healthy ranges as much as possible:
- Between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals
- Less than 180 mg/dL 2 hours after you start a meal
- Glycated hemoglobin or A1C level around 7%
Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol. If theyâre too high, youâre more likely to get other health problems like heart disease. Try to keep your BP below 140/90 and your total cholesterol at or below 200. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help you do that.
Get regular checkups. Your doctor can check your blood, urine, and do other tests to spot any problems. These visits are especially important, since many diabetes complications donât have clear warning signs.
Donât smoke. Lighting up harms your blood flow and raises blood pressure. If you need help to quit, your doctor can recommend treatments that might work for you.
Protect your eyes. Get a yearly eye exam. Your doctor can look for damage or diseases.
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Early Warning: A Look At The First Signs Of Diabetes
With rates of diabetes among American adults topping 10% by some estimates, the odds that you or someone you know has diabetes are high. The question is, could you have diabetes without knowing it? Unlike some other medical conditions, the early signs of diabetes can be as subtle as needing to drink more water than normal.
What Are The Types Of Diabetes
Diabetes refers to a collection of diseases in which the human body has some sort of issue with insulin. In some instances of diabetes, the body doesnt make enough of the crucial hormone whereas, in other situations, the body cant appropriately use whatever insulin is created. In other cases, a combination of both occurs. Each of these situations inhibits the body from drawing sugar out of the bloodstream and distributing it to the cells. This results in high blood sugar levels that require medical attention and management.
We draw a majority of our energy from glucose, which is found in the bloodstream. Insulin helps manage this and, when unavailable, sugar continues to build up in the bloodstream, creating a wide variety of health problems and issues.
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Do These Symptoms Of Diabetes In Men Sound Familiar
Though most signs and symptoms are the same for males and females, some are unique to men.
Talking about these symptoms with your doctor is essential. They can test your HbA1c levels to determine if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Fortunately, many of these symptoms of diabetes can be reversed with a suitable diet that includes diabetic-friendly foods.
An early diagnosis means you can quickly take control of your diabetes before it has profound long-term consequences on your health.
About Joe Leech, Dietitian
Joe Leech is a university-qualified dietitian from Australia.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science, followed by a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2011.
Learn more about him on the About page.
Joe Leech, Dietitian
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What Should My Blood Sugar Be
Diabetics are urged to monitor their sugar levels and if you’re diabetic it’s likely you will have been given a device so you can do this at home.
You will be told what your average blood sugar level is and this is referred to as your HbA1c level.
While they differ for everyone, the NHS says that if you monitor your levels at home then a normal target is 4 to 7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5 to 9mmol/l 2 hours after a meal.
If it’s tested every few months then a normal HbA1c target is below 48mmol/mol .
Other signs include severe hip and stomach pain, weak and shrinking thigh muscles and difficulty getting out of a sitting position.
Mononeuropathy comes in two different forms and they are cranial and peripheral.
If you have mononeuropathy you might experience double vision, aching behind one eye or numbness or tingling.
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Blood Sugar Target Numbers
The following are blood glucose target numbers, based on test type, and levels that are indicators of prediabetes or diabetes:
A1C test:
- Normal: less than 100 mg/dl
- Prediabetes: 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dl or higher
Oral glucose tolerance test :
- Normal: less than 140 mg/dl
- Prediabetes: 140 mg/dl to 199 mg/dl
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dl or higher
Random glucose test:
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dl or higher
Outbreak Of Small Reddish
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though.
Eruptive-xanthomatosis
These bumps appear suddenly and clear promptly when diabetes is well-controlled.
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though. No matter where they form, they are usually tender and itchy. The medical name for this skin condition is eruptive xanthomatosis.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes.
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Knowing Your Risk For Diabetes Or Complications Of Diabetes
Since you may not have symptoms of prediabetes or diabetes, it can help to know whether you have risk factors for them. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include both nonmodifiable and modifiable factors. You are at higher risk for prediabetes and diabetes if any of the following apply to you.
- Age over 45
- Smoking
- High total or LDL, or low HDL, cholesterol, or high triglycerides or blood pressure
- Certain minorities, such as Asian American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or African American.
You can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by losing extra pounds, eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, and managing health conditions such as high cholesterol or blood pressure. Managing diabetes also depends on choices you make every day. If you have prediabetes, your healthcare provider may cover Lark DPP. If you have diabetes, your insurance may cover Lark for Diabetes. Lark offers an entirely-digital program that is convenient and easy to follow.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that results in excess blood sugar in the bloodstream. Your body either does not produce enough insulin, or it cant use the insulin that it produces, to convert the sugar in your blood into usable energy. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes about 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It takes years for type 2 diabetes to develop, and a person with diabetes may have the disease for years without realizing it. Knowing the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and when you should talk to your doctor about screening for diabetes, can help you catch the disease in its earliest stages.
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You Feel Shaky And Hungry
Its not uncommon for patients to suddenly feel unsteady and immediately need to reach for carbs, says Marjorie Cypress, a nurse practitioner at an endocrinology clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 2014 president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association. When you have high blood sugar, your body has a problem regulating its glucose, she explains. If youve eaten something high in carbohydrates, your body shoots out a little too much insulin, and your glucose drops quickly. This makes you feel shaky, and you tend to crave carbs or sugar. This can lead to a vicious cycle.
Check out these sneaky things that raise your blood sugar levels.
What Are The Signs Of Type 2 Diabetes
Some signs of type 2 diabetes can be subtle, because the condition tends to develop slowly over time compared to type 1 diabetes, per the NIDDK. In fact, it may take several years for symptoms to pop up, so you may not realize you have the disease until it causes certain complications, like heart issues or blurry vision.
While having just one on this list isnt a surefire indicator of the condition, pay attention to whether youre experiencing several of these, Hien Tran, M.D., an endocrinologist with Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, tells SELF. Simply having a dry mouth on its own may not be enough to prompt a doctors appointment, for example, but if that sign is paired with other symptoms on this list and you also have any of the risk factors mentioned above, it may be worth getting checked out.
Now, here are the type 2 diabetes symptoms to keep on your radar:
Having too much sugar in the blood is tough on the kidneys since those organs are responsible for processing that excess glucose, according to the Mayo Clinic. As a result, they work overtime to eliminate it from the body. As your body loses fluids, you may feel the signs of dehydration creeping in. So, you drink more fluids to make up for it, and the cycle of constantly peeing continues. Thats why frequent urination and increased thirst tend to be the two most common type 2 diabetes symptoms, particularly in the early stages.
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Can Diabetes Be Prevented
Type 1 diabetes cant be prevented.
You may be able to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by managing your weight, staying active, and following a healthy diet. However, genetics and other risk factors may increase your risk despite your best efforts.
If you have any risk factors for diabetes, its important to get regular checkups with your doctor or healthcare professional. This will help prevent diabetes from progressing and causing other serious health complications.
Signs That May Indicate You Are At Risk For Diabetes
**This article is a repost of an earlier written article. We are reposting because we believe the information is valuable and pertinent to many.**
According to the CDC, over 9% of Americans are living with diabetes. This illness is becoming increasingly common, with 1.5 million Americans being diagnosed with diabetes every year.
There are some serious complications that can come with having high blood sugar such as heart failure and stroke. However, diabetes can be managed with prescription medication, diet, and exercise to help you live a normal, healthy life.
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Other Signs Of Diabetes
Pay attention if you find yourself feeling drowsy or lethargic pain or numbness in your extremities vision changes fruity or sweet-smelling breath which is one of the symptoms of high ketones and experiencing nausea or vomitingas these are additional signs that something is not right. If theres any question, see your doctor immediately to ensure that your blood sugar levels are safe and rule out diabetes.
Yellowish Scaly Patches On And Around Your Eyelids
These develop when you have high fat levels in your blood. It can also be a sign that your diabetes is poorly controlled.The medical name for this condition is xanthelasma.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the yellowish scaly patches around your eyes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches.
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What Is Diabetes What Are Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar . Glucose is normally is used as a source of energy for the body. The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, is necessary for the bodys cells to utilize glucose for energy. Diabetes occurs when the body either does not produce any or enough insulin, or becomes resistant to the insulin that is produced.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the less-common form of diabetes. It occurs because the bodys immune system attacks the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in an insufficient amount of insulin. Type 1 diabetes was formerly referred to as juvenile diabetes because it most often is most is diagnosed in childhood. Treatment for this type of diabetes involves the administration of insulin in injection form.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It accounts for about 85% of cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was formerly referred to as adult-onset diabetes because it most often is diagnosed in adults. However, the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and teens has been increasing due to dietary factors and the rise in childhood obesity.
Type 2 diabetes occurs because the body has become resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes primarily is treated with dietary and lifestyle changes, and if necessary, medications.
Prediabetes
Overweight Obesity And Physical Inactivity
You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese. Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart and blood vessel disease. To see if your weight puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes, check out these Body Mass Index charts.
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Dark Patches On The Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and sometimes it is the general window that carries evidence about the health of other devices. Dermatologists say that changes in the skin, from skin discoloration to damage, can sometimes be early signs of more serious health problems. .
The first sign of pre-diabetes occurs and the only really sign is that you may notice dark spots appearing on the skin. These spots occur due to changes in blood vessels in the skin, and appear as shiny circular or oval spots in the thin skin on the legs and legs that have the spot Each is a circular shape and the diameter varies from 1/2 inch to 3 or 4 inchesIt is a common skin condition among diabetics, especially those over the age of fifty and affects twice the rate of males compared to women.
Scientists believe that there is a close correlation between them and obesity and the bodys resistance to insulin.
What Are The Different Types Of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that happens when the body mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, explains Rita R. Kalyani, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University and previous chair of the American Diabetes Association’s clinical guidelines committee. Type 2 diabetes which accounts for about 90-95% of cases in this country occurs when there is insulin resistance in the body and insulin can no longer effectively reduce blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is more common in children but occurs in adults as well. Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults, but with the rise in pediatric obesity, its occurring more frequently in kids too.
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