According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 5.7 million people who have diabetes and are undiagnosed. Diabetes can sneak up on you and attack your insulin levels without you being aware of it. This is because diabetes develops gradually, and may not exhibit obvious warning signs.
The five main warning signs of diabetes are:
1. Constantly being very hungry or thirsty.
2. Unexplainably losing a significant amount of weight.
3. Blurry or fuzzy vision.
4. Urinating more frequently than normal.
5. Having a tingling sensation in your feet, or feeling like your skin is very itchy and dry.
You may be at risk of developing diabetes if you are over the age of 45, have diabetes in your family, are not physically active at least three times a week and are African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander. If you have previously developed diabetes while pregnant, or given birth to a baby over nine pounds your risk is also higher.
Medical factors such as having low HDL (good cholesterol) levels, high blood fat levels, high blood pressure, or being overweight can also put you at risk for diabetes.
If you suffer one or more of the above symptoms, you should speak with a doctor about getting blood tests for sugar content so that the proper medication can be prescribed. Once you pass age 45, it is especially important to take care of your body with a balanced diet and exercise, and being aware of the signs of diabetes.
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