Diabetes is a common problem in the United States. Many people have diabetes and have not had it diagnosed. Not recognizing that you have diabetes, or the chance of your condition worsening to diabetes is problematic. So, if you are not sure if you have diabetes, and you are at risk for diabetes, you should check. There can be serious complications for letting diabetes go unchecked. Especially if it is type 2 diabetes.
It is worth repeating: If you think you may have symptoms of diabetes, it is not a good idea to ignore them or to wait and see what happens. Type 2 diabetes can get worse and can cause serious problems if it is not diagnosed early. So, be sure to talk with your doctor about any symptoms of or concerns you have about type 2 diabetes, especially if you have any risk factors that make it more likely for you to develop the disease. If you are unsure whether or not you are at risk, or what symptoms to look for, talk to your doctor anyway. He or she can direct you and run some tests to let you know what your risk factor is, and whether or not you should be concerned about diabetes.
Call your doctor about type 2 diabetes if you:
– Are age 45 or older and you have never been tested for type 2 diabetes or you have not been tested in more than 3 years. Age is often a contributor for higher risk.
– Are younger than 45, are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, and want to be tested. Why not be tested? If you want to, you should.
– Have one or more of the common symptoms of diabetes:
o increased thirst,
o frequent urination,
o increased hunger,
o unusual weight loss,
o extreme fatigue
While there are other factors and diseases etc. that can cause the above symptoms, they are the common ailments associated with diabetes of many varieties. So, better safe than sorry, be sure to check with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these.
– Have other signs that you may have type 2 diabetes, such as wounds that are not healing well or frequent infections.
– Have not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but notice symptoms of complications from the disease, such as:
o Having burning pain,
o numbness,
o swelling in your feet or hands.
– Feeling dizzy or weak when you sit up or stand up suddenly. This is often related to low blood pressure, which is considered prediabetes.
– Seeing flashing lights (also associated with low blood pressure)
– Seeing large, floating red or black spots;
– Seeing large areas that look like floating hair, cotton fibers, or spider webs.
– Are overweight, get little or no exercise, and want help to reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
– Have been told that your blood sugar level is above the normal range and you want to know more about decreasing your risk for type 2 diabetes.
The following health professionals can diagnose diabetes and help you to find proper treatment should you have it or at high risk of getting diabetes of any kind, type 1, type 2, or otherwise:
– Family medicine doctor
– General practitioner
– Internal medicine doctor
– Pediatrician
– Nurse practitioner
– Physician assistant
– Endocrinologist