Don’t Rely on Diabetes Symptoms To Reveal a Problem

One of the most dangerous things about the most common type of diabetes, type 2, is that life-threatening complications often occur before any diabetes symptoms ever develop. In fact, many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all, while others have diabetes symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed. If the symptoms go unnoticed and the disease is left untreated, the risks of complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and more can skyrocket. Some individuals, however, may experience the typical symptoms of diabetes. Therefore, it’s a good idea for all of us to know what the diabetes symptoms are and be able to recognize them.

Classic Diabetes Symptoms

Increased urination
Excessive thirst
Blurred vision
Excessive hunger or increased appetite
Extreme fatigue
Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
Sensations of tingling, tickling, prickling, pricking, pain, or burning in the hands or feet
Darker, thicker skin in areas of body folds and creases
Yeast infections

Diabetes Complications, Not Symptoms, Are Often the First sign Something’s Wrong

Because many individuals with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms, the disease often remains undiagnosed for many years. In fact, millions of diabetics in the U.S. have no idea they have the disease. Many of these individuals will first become aware of their disease not when they develop one of the diabetes symptoms listed above, but rather when they develop one of diabetes’ life-threatening complications, such as a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease. Other diabetes complications include heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, and other forms of cardiovascular disease, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, cancer, depression, and erectile dysfunction. The earlier you catch diabetes, the easier it is and the more likely you are to completely prevent these diabetes complications and avoid diabetes symptoms.

Annual Physical Exam with Blood Laboratory Testing is Essential