How to Tell if You Have Diabetes

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If you believe that you may have diabetes, consult a medical professional immediately.
There are 2 main types of diabetes. Type 1, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is more commonly diagnosed in children but can present at any age. Type 2, formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, is often subtle and may be due to aging or obesity. General signs that warrant further investigation:

Steps

1. Check to see if you have one or many of the following symptoms:
   
   • SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU HAVE A FRUITY SMELL ON YOUR BREATH. This is a symptom of ketoacidosis caused by severe hyperglycemia, and requires urgent medical attention.
     
   • Excessive thirst
     
   • Excessive hunger
     
   • Frequent urination
     
   • Unexplained significant weight loss
     
   • Fatigue (particularly after eating)
     
   • Feeling irritable
     
   • Poor wound healing
     
   • Frequent or lingering infections
     
   • Leg cramps (usually occurring as the undiagnosed disease worsens and mostly during the night)
     
   • Blurred vision or changes in vision
     
   
   
2. See your health care provider for confirmation.
   

Tips

• Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese; being of African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Native-American, or Pacific-Islander descent; having a family history of diabetes; and having a history of gestational diabetes. If you have one or more of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about getting a fasting plasma glucose test.
  
• The onset of hyperglycemia is known when a person’s glucose level goes beyond the ideal level, and although it can occur on its own, it is highly considered as the major symptom of Diabetes Mellitus. In fact, it is known to be the primary cause of several complications associated with diabetes. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to more serious health issues, such as nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage or failure, blindness, and severe circulation problems resulting in difficult-to-treat infections that can progress into gangrene necessitating amputation (particularly in the lower extremities).
  

Warnings

• SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU HAVE A FRUITY SMELL ON YOUR BREATH. This is a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis that is often fatal if left untreated.
  
• It is extremely important to consult with a medical professional immediately if you are exhibiting any of these symptoms; undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2) can progress to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which rapidly progresses into possible organ failure or death.
  

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Sources and Citations

• http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/type2_information/diagnosis/diagnosis.html
  
• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/17044-3.asp
  
• http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/diabetes.htm
  
• http://www.fda.gov/diabetes/glucose.html
  
• http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/ddt.htm
  
• http://www.diabetes.org/nutrition-and-recipes/nutrition/overview.jsp
  

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