Click to open the image in a separate window and see the state-by-state progression of diabetes from 1994-2010.
For some people, the first sign they have diabetes may come through a blood test.
But there are other warning signs, signs that may prompt you to get a test sooner rather than later for elevated levels of glucose in your blood. And the sooner you are diagnosed, the better your chances of preventing diabetes-related health problems.
Among the most common signs:
- Frequent urination: This is the result of your kidneys working to remove the excess glucose from your blood.
- Increased thirst: When your kidneys are working to remove glucose from your blood via urination, you can experience severe thirst and even dehydration. (Thirst and frequent urination are classic diabetes symptoms.)
- Excessive hunger: Your body is unable to process the glucose in your system, so it tells the brain you need more fuel – even if you are eating regularly.
- Slow-to-heal cuts and bruises: If your blood vessels are damaged because of excessive amounts of glucose, it can be harder for blood – which is necessary for healing – to reach different parts of the body.
- Odd sensations in hands or feet: Diabetes can affect nerves, causing tingling, numbness, burning or swelling of your hands and feet.
- Skin problems: Dry, itchy skin, and a condition that cases darkening of the skin around the neck or armpits, can be the result of diabetes-related poor circulation.
- Yeast infections: Fungi and bacteria thrive in the sugar-rich environment caused by excessive glucose in your blood.
- Unexplained weight loss: Since your body is not using glucose effectively, it can start to break down the energy stored in fat.
- Tiredness and irritability: Your body is unable to convert the glucose in your blood into energy, so you feel fatigued.
- Blurry vision: High blood glucose levels can cause temporarily blurred vision.
Learn more about symptoms for diabetes at Health.com, EverydayHealth.com and the American Diabetes Association website, Diabetes.org.
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