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Who Do You Know If You Have Diabetes

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How Is Diabetes Diagnosed

Diabetes Symptoms & Treatments : How to Know If You Have Diabetes

Many people get tested for diabetes because they develop symptoms that are potential early warning signs.

For example, people with type 1 diabetes may experience unintentional weight loss or develop flu-like symptoms. People with type 2 diabetes may experience extreme thirst or frequent urination.

You may experience one or more of the warning signs associated with diabetes. If you do, its important to contact your doctor for an appointment.

You may also discover a diabetes diagnosis after visiting your doctor for another condition or for routine blood work.

If you make an appointment with your doctor due to diabetes warning signs, they will want to know:

  • your symptoms

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and will likely run some blood tests.

There are several tests that can diagnose diabetes. These include:

  • A1C: This test shows what your blood glucose level has averaged for the last 2 or 3 months. This does not require you to fast or drink anything.
  • Fasting plasma glucose : You will need to fast for at least 8 hours before this test is done.
  • Oral glucose tolerance : This test takes 2 to 3 hours. Your blood glucose levels are tested initially and then repeated at intervals for 2 hours after youve consumed a specific sweet drink.
  • Random plasma glucose test: You can have this test done any time and do not need to be fasting.

You Feel Really Itchy All The Time

Those with diabtetes often experience itching due to yeast infections , dry skin, or poor circulation, according to the American Diabetes Association. If poor circulation is to blame, your legs will be the itchiest area.

Per the ADA, you can try to treat the itching yourself by limiting how much you bathe , using soap with a built-in moisturizer, and remembering to apply lotion immediately after washing up.

Recognizing Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

  • 1Be aware of the following signs and symptoms. If you have 2 or more on the list below, it is best to see your doctor for further evaluation. Common signs and symptoms of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes include:XTrustworthy SourceUS Food and Drug AdministrationU.S. government agency responsible for promoting public healthGo to source
  • Excessive thirst
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    Treating High Blood Glucose

    Hyperglycaemia can occur when your blood glucose levels become too high. It can happen for several reasons, such as eating too much, being unwell or not taking enough insulin.

    If you develop hyperglycaemia, you may need to adjust your diet or your insulin dose to keep your glucose levels normal. Your diabetes care team can advise you about the best way to do this.

    If hyperglycaemia isn’t treated, it can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, where the body begins to break down fats for energy instead of glucose, resulting in a build-up of ketones in your blood.

    Diabetic ketoacidosis is very serious and, if not addressed quickly, it can lead to unconsciousness and, eventually, death.

    The signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

    • frequently passing urine

    Read more about the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis

    Your healthcare team will educate you on how to decrease your risk of ketoacidosis by testing your own blood for ketones using blood ketone sticks if you’re unwell.

    If you develop diabetic ketoacidosis, you’ll need urgent hospital treatment. You’ll be given insulin directly into a vein . You may also need other fluids given by a drip if you’re dehydrated, including salt solution and potassium.

    You Develop Sores That Tend To Heal More Slowly Than Usual

    How Do You Know You Have Diabetes by Ruben Rodriguez ...

    Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and other wounds heal more slowly in the presence of uncontrolled blood sugar, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes causes nerve damage and affects circulation, especially in the lower legs and feet, which can delay healing because there isnt enough blood flow to the area. Even minor wounds are more prone to infections, which can become very serious and even result in amputations of the foot. You may notice drainage seeping onto your socks or an unpleasant smell if you develop a foot ulcer, notes the American Podiatric Medical Association.

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    Check Your Blood Sugar

    Your doctor will tell you how often you should test yours based on your disease, treatment, and other things. If they tell you to check first thing in the morning, put your glucose monitor on your nightstand to remind you.

    When you wake up, your blood sugar should be somewhere between 80 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL. Within an hour or two after you start a meal, your target should be less than 180 mg/dL.

    5

    How To Reverse Prediabetes

    The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program helps people with prediabetes make lasting lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

    Working with a trained coach, youâll learn to eat healthy, add physical activity into your life, and manage stress. With other participants, youâll celebrate successes and work to overcome challenges.

    If you have prediabetes, now is your time to take action.

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    What Type Of Diabetes Do I Have

    When you were diagnosed, your clinician probably said you had either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Clear-cut and tidy. Since diabetes typically occurs in two types, you have to fit into one of them. Many people fit clearly into one of these categories, but others do not. And those who fit one type when diagnosed may find these clear lines begin to smudge over time. Are there only two types? Are you the type they said you were? Could you have more than one type of diabetes? Is your original diagnosis still correct after all these years?

    What Do I Need To Know About Blood Glucose Testing Before And During Pregnancy

    How can you tell if you have diabetes? Early signs

    How often you check your blood glucose levels may change during pregnancy. You may need to check them more often than you do now. If you didnt need to check your blood glucose before pregnancy, you will probably need to start. Ask your health care team how often and at what times you should check your blood glucose levels. Your blood glucose targets will change during pregnancy. Your health care team also may want you to check your ketone levels if your blood glucose is too high.

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    You Have Noticeably Blurry Vision And Frequent Headaches

    You may notice that your vision isnt as clear as it used to be and that things may appear a bit blurry. High blood sugar levels can lead to swollen lenses in your eye from fluid leaking in, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. This changes the shape of the lens, which makes it unable to properly focus, causing blurred vision. You may also find yourself struggling at work, having difficulty driving, and suffering from frequent headaches, Emanuele notes.

    What Does Undiagnosed Diabetes Feel Like

    I remember feeling really tired and sleepy, but I didnt think anything of it as I was trying to juggle work and caring for my three children. When I got diagnosed, it made me think about my mum and her health. I thought she might have had diabetes too. She always used to feel tired and she had a boil on her leg that never seemed to heal. Read Saritas story in full.

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    Why Does My Dentist Need To Know If I Have Diabetes

    If you have uncontrolled blood sugar, you are more likely to experience symptoms like dry mouth, decreased saliva and bad breath, all of which may indicate that your mouth can’t fight infections as well as it should. You may also have gum disease. Your dentist will work with your doctor to better control your blood sugar. This will help to prevent serious problems, and make you better able to cope with dental procedures.

    Wear Your Medical Alert Jewelry

    How Do You Know If You Have Prediabetes â Diabetics Today

    Put your medical alert bracelet or pendant near your watch, rings, or other jewelry you wear every day. This may help you remember to wear it. Or keep it near your toothbrush or keys. Itâs smart to wear it to let people know you have diabetes, just in case you need emergency medical care.

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    Risk Factors For Diabetes

    There is no way to predict whether you will get type 1 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes often occurs before any symptoms are displayed, it is important to understand whether you are at high risk for the condition. If you know diabetes is a risk, you can discuss a plan of action with your healthcare professional to stay alert for warning signs.

    People at high risk for type 2 diabetes include:

    • Individuals with close family members with the condition.
    • Members of certain ethnic groups, including Aboriginal, Asian, South Asian, Hispanic and African groups.
    • Those who are overweight.
    • Individuals with diabetes-related health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
    • Women who had gestational diabetes or who delivered a baby over nine pounds.

    You can check your risk for diabetes by getting screened by a healthcare provider, or by doing the Canadian Diabetes Risk questionnaire. Just remember that having risk factors doesnt mean you will get diabetes. It just indicates that your risk of getting the disease is greater than that of the general public. Find more on diabetes risk factors and ways to reduce them here.

    What Are Clinical Trials And Are They Right For You

    Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for you.

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    You’ve Got Weird Dark Spots On Your Skin

    Darkening skin around the nape of your neck, under your armpits, or even in your groin area is a surprising and common early sign of insulin resistance, the precursor to diabetesthe medical name for the condition is acanthosis nigricans .

    We see this often in women with polycystic ovary syndrome , says Kellis, who notes that women with PCOS are at an increased risk of insulin issues. If you notice new dark spots on your skin, they’re worth checking out with your doctor.

    Consider Medications To Lower Blood Sugar And More

    Diabetes Tips : How to Tell If You Have Diabetes

    Will you need medicine to control your blood sugar with type 2 diabetes? Most people need at least one blood glucose-lowering medication as soon as they are diagnosed. A small number don’t. The American Diabetes Association and other expert organizations now recommend that most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes start taking metformin at the time of diagnosis.

    Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, which means your ability to make and use the insulin your body produces will decrease over time due to changes in your body. The amount of blood glucose-lowering medication you take might increase, or new medications may need to be added over time. However, if blood sugar levels fall back into a normal range and you lose weight through healthy eating and physical activity, you may be able to take less or take no medication for a while. Regular monitoring will tell you and your health care provider when changes are warranted.

    There are at least seven main types of blood glucose-lowering pills, a variety of insulins, and a few injectable drugs that help lower blood sugar. More will become available in the future.

    Important questions to ask your health care provider, pharmacist, or diabetes educator about your medications:

    How does the medication lower my blood sugar?

    How quickly will it start to lower my blood sugar in the short- and long-term?

    How do I take the medicine ?

    How much , when , and how often do I take the medicine?

    Should I take a dose if I miss it?

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    Having Your Blood Glucose Levels Checked

    You’ll be measuring your blood glucose yourself every day, to check your levels.

    Your GP or diabetes care team will also carry out a different blood test every two to six months, called the HbA1c test.

    This gives a clearer idea of how well your treatment plan is working, by measuring how stable your glucose levels have been over the past 6-12 weeks.

    It measures the amount of haemoglobin, which is the oxygen-carrying substance in red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. A high HbA1c level may indicate that your blood glucose level is consistently high and that your diabetes treatment plan needs to be altered.

    The ideal HbA1c target for people with diabetes is below 53 mmol/mol.

    Pick Your Primary Care Provider

    When choosing a primary care physician to help you manage your diabetes, it’s important that they:

    Respect individuality.

    Listen and respond to questions and concerns.

    Recommend the best treatment plan possible.

    Review treatment plans regularly.

    Adjust plans as needed based on A1C, self blood glucose tests, cholesterol, blood pressure, and other lab work.

    Refer patients to other specialists based on health needs.

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    Work With Your Health Care Team

    Regular visits with members of a health care team who are experts in diabetes and pregnancy will ensure that you and your baby get the best care. Your health care team may include

    • a medical doctor who specializes in diabetes care, such as an endocrinologist or a diabetologist
    • an obstetrician with experience treating women with diabetes
    • a diabetes educator who can help you manage your diabetes
    • a nurse practitioner who provides prenatal care during your pregnancy
    • a registered dietitian to help with meal planning
    • specialists who diagnose and treat diabetes-related problems, such as vision problems, kidney disease, and heart disease
    • a social worker or psychologist to help you cope with stress, worry, and the extra demands of pregnancy

    You are the most important member of the team. Your health care team can give you expert advice, but you are the one who must manage your diabetes every day.

    Causes Of Type 1 Diabetes

    How can you tell if you have diabetes? Early signs

    Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakes the cells in your pancreas as harmful and attacks them.

    Without insulin, your body will break down its own fat and muscle, resulting in weight loss. This can lead to a serious short-term condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This is when the bloodstream becomes acidic, you develop dangerous levels of ketones in your blood stream and become severely dehydrated.

    This results in the body being unable to produce insulin, which is required to move glucose out of the blood and into your cells to be used for energy. This is called Type 1 diabetes.

    Read more about the causes of type 1 diabetes

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    Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes Onset In Adults

    When an adult is diagnosed with diabetes, they are often mistakenly told that they have type 2 diabetes. This is because there may be a lack of understanding by some doctors that type 1 diabetes can start at any age, and in people of every race, shape and size. People with type 1 diabetes who have elevated blood glucose and classic risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as being overweight or physically inactive, are often misdiagnosed. It can also be tricky because some adults with new-onset type 1 diabetes are not sick at first. Their doctor finds an elevated blood sugar level at a routine visit and starts them on diet, exercise and an oral medication.

    When Should I See My Doctor

    Diabetes is serious but can be managed well with a combination of medicines and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and treatment can also help to reduce the risk of more serious complications. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes or have concerns about your risk of diabetes.

    There are different possible causes of diabetes according to type.

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    How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes

    Health issues taken at face value such as being overweight or having low energy levels can be masking greater healthcare concerns. Underlying conditions like diabetes often create noticeable symptoms that individuals, often through no fault of their own, can misinterpret.

    The treatment of a symptom wonât resolve a disease. Therefore, it is important to analyze what the body is verbalizing, but also to look beneath the surface to uncover the root cause of the issue.

    You Never Stop Drinking Water

    How can you tell if you have diabetes? Early signs

    With all that peeing, dehydration is a very real possibility. And, to make matters worse, some patients who dont know they have diabetes quench their thirst with sugary drinks like soda or juice, which adds to their blood sugars, Goundan says. Signs of dehydration include dark-colored urine, a drop in weight, and extreme thirst.

    Sound familiar? Talk to your doc about this potential symptom of diabetes, especially if it occurs in tandem with lots of bathroom breaks.

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