The truth is that the early warning signs and symptoms of diabetes and prediabetes can be extremely subtle and easily overlooked. Even while your body’s cells, tissues, and organs are constantly changing, indications and symptoms are frequently extremely little. Annual physicals can be vitally crucial for your health if you have any of the diabetes risk factors listed below.
In technical terms, symptoms are subjective indications of an illness or disease, whereas signs are objectively determined features like blood glucose levels. Pain, frequent thirst, and weariness are some symptoms.
Early Diabetes Symptoms and Signs
- Insulin resistance, a precursor to pre-diabetes, is referred to as early diabetes. Not every person displays these indications and symptoms. It would be wise to keep an eye out for any signs if you have any of the diabetes risk factors.
- A disorder called acanthosis nigricans, which causes the skin to darken, especially around the knuckles, elbows, knees, and neck. Make an appointment with your dermatologist or physician if you observe any darkening of the skin. Diabetes or prediabetes may be indicated by this.
- Thirst as well as increased frequency of urination. Schedule a visit with your doctor if you find that you are more likely than you would think to be thirsty and to use the restroom.
- Usually an early symptom of diabetes, blurry vision can also happen later in life for certain people. See your ophthalmologist or give your doctor a call if you experience any blurred vision. To find out if you require new prescriptions or glasses, you should also have your eyes examined by an optometrist.
You should be aware that the following traits or factors increase your risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes:1.
- Being overweight or obese. Typically, this is understood to signify having a BMI (body mass index) of more than 25.
- Your BMI is your weight (in kg) divided by your height (in m) squared. Calculate your BMI here.
- Physical inactivity: If you work a job that requires you to sit a lot or if you don’t get enough formal or informal exercise (such as walking, gardening, cleaning, or domestic duties), you may be more likely to develop prediabetes and diabetes.
- Age: As we age, our bodies experience more “wear and tear,” which raises our chance of developing diabetes and prediabetes.
- Individuals from specific backgrounds and ethnic groupings are more vulnerable. These comprise Native Americans from Northern America, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.
- Either your triglyceride level is more than 250 mg/dL OR your HDL cholesterol, also known as the “good” cholesterol, is less than 35 mg/dL. A blood sample can be used to test for both of these levels.
- If a close relative (father, mother, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, or grandparent) has or has had diabetes in your family history.
- If you have a history of high blood pressure or, if you are a woman, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or gestational diabetes (a kind of diabetes that develops during pregnancy), please let us know. Obesity, unpredictable menstrual cycles, and excessive hair growth—particularly on the face and chest—that frequently resembles male pattern hair growth are all linked to PCOS.
Yearly Examinations
The objective indicators of diabetes grow more significant since the symptoms of prediabetes and diabetes can be absent or difficult to overlook. This is the reason annual physicals become crucial since several blood tests are typically carried out as part of the physical examination.
Among these assessments ought to be 2.
- Blood Sugar Levels: Whether measured by a glucose tolerance test or a fasting blood sugar test, elevated blood sugar (blood glucose) levels are the primary indicators of prediabetes and diabetes. If the measured level of fasting blood sugar is within the range of 100-125 mg/dL, it is thought to indicate prediabetes. (Below 100 mg/dL is normal). A fasting blood sugar level more than 125 mg/dL is thought to be a sign of diabetes.
- A1c Percentage: The A1c test calculates the percentage of glucose (sugar) molecules that are bound to hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The A1c value shows how well your body has managed your blood sugar since red blood cells have an average lifespan of 120 days and because hemoglobin in them absorbs sugar molecules during the course of its life. Values between 5.7 and 6.4% are thought to indicate prediabetes, whereas values below 5.7% are typically regarded as normal. A1c values higher than 6.4% are thought to be indicative of diabetes; the worse blood sugar control, the higher the A1c value. For instance, an A1c of 12% suggests that your blood sugar levels have been too high for the majority of the previous 120 days (3 months), and you may need to adjust your blood sugar-controlling drugs or be more cautious with your food.
- Lipid Panel: A lipid panel measures the various kinds of cholesterol, including triglycerides (preferably less than 150 mg/dL), total cholesterol (ideally less than 200 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (ideally less than 100 mg/dL), and HDL cholesterol (ideally more than 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women). Another computed ratio that you can observe is the cholesterol ratio. This is the result of dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL cholesterol level. An increased risk of heart disease is indicated by a larger ratio (more than 3.5).
- Special Tests for Other Disorders: Additional tests might be prescribed in light of your particular medical condition. Tests for the kidneys or liver, as well as imaging procedures like MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds (US) may be among them.
The good news is that annual screening can detect prediabetes and diabetes at an early stage, with the greater the likelihood of curing the condition the earlier you are diagnosed.
If you have received a diabetes diagnosis
There are certain indications of diabetes that you should never overlook if you have been diagnosed with it. Among them are:
Indices of Low Blood Sugar
Eat a sugary hard candy, take a glucose tablet, or take a tablespoon of honey if you encounter any of these symptoms. You should also contact for emergency medical assistance.
- Experiencing lightheadedness, vertigo, disorientation, or loss of consciousness.
- slurred speech
Indices of High Blood Sugar
If you are having any of these symptoms, consult your physician.
- Urinating more heavily or more frequently, particularly at night
- Frequently experiencing thirst
- Acute and ongoing weariness
- lesions or wounds that appear to take an eternity to heal
- Any modification to one’s vision
Questions to Put to Your Physician
Every patient, regardless of diagnosis, should always arrive prepared with written questions for their physicians. If you have been given a diabetes diagnosis, write down any questions you have as you proceed with your treatment and bring them to your next visit (or give the doctor a call with them).
Here are some inquiries you might want to make:3
- Foot care: If you have diabetes, there are several issues that might arise with your feet. Asking your doctor about visiting a podiatrist, maintaining your toenails and feet, and possibly benefiting from special shoes and socks might be a good idea.
- Make sure you can safely participate in the workout regimen you choose to follow. Consult your physician about appropriate exercise regimens. Find out if you need to monitor your blood sugar levels before and after working out.
- Eye care: Moreover, issues might arise that impair eyesight and vision. Inquire with your doctor about being referred to an ophthalmologist.
- Make sure you know how frequently you should check your blood sugar. Testing blood sugar levels in the morning (while fasting) and after meals may be necessary for this. Additionally, be sure you know HOW to check your blood sugar levels. There are various blood sugar meters available; research which one would be the most suitable for you. Ideally, you should monitor your blood sugar levels.
Frequent Appointments with Your Physician
Diabetes does require a functioning and continuing connection with your physician, but it can be managed. This entails routine visits for the majority of people, typically once every three months and then once every six months. You can modify your lifestyle as necessary to better meet your personal and medical needs by working with your doctor.