It is important that people are made aware of the diabetes symptoms and risk factors so they can seek medical care in case one or more of these warning signs occurs.
According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report 2014 of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 29.1 million people or 9.3% of the U.S. population have diabetes. Twenty-one million people were diagnosed while 8.1 million were undiagnosed.
How do you know if you are on your way to prediabetes, Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes? Check the symptoms, as provided by the American Heart Association.
Prediabetes does not bear any symptoms. People who may have Type 1 Diabetes, on the other hand, may experience one or all of these:
- Increased or extreme thirst
- Increased appetite
- Increased fatigue
- Increased or frequent urination
- Unusual weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Fruity odor or breath
Type 2 Diabetes symptoms include:
- Increased urination, especially at night
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Sores that do not heal
Who should be tested for diabetes?
There are cases, however, that some people do not experience any diabetes symptoms. Hence, it is important that you undergo regular health checkup, particularly if you are:
1. Overweight and over age 45
2. Overweight, under age 45 and have one of more additional risk factors such as:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- A family history of diabetes
- African-American, Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Native American or Pacific Islander descent
- A history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or delivering a baby over 9 lbs.
Who are at risk for diabetes?
Take note of these factors, according to WebMD to know if you are at risk:
Type 1 Diabetes:
- Genetics and family history
- Diseases of the pancreas
- Infection or illness
Type 2 Diabetes:
- Obesity or being overweight
- Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose
- Insulin resistance
- Ethnic background
- High blood pressure
- History of gestational diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Age
