Our Diabetes Awareness Month newsletter series is focused on raising awareness of diabetes. The series will consist of four articles, which will be released once a week throughout the month of November. Each article will cover different aspects of diabetes, offering information and resources aimed at reducing the stigma associated with diabetes, encouraging early diagnosis, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices to prevent and manage diabetes effectively.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
November 13, 2023
Diabetes is a major chronic condition that can lead to severe complications such as amputations and vision loss. It is essential to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of diabetes so that appropriate treatment can be given as early as possible.
The common symptoms of diabetes are:
- Urinating often, especially late at night
- Increased thirst
- Unintentional weight loss
- Increased hunger
- Blurry vision
- Tingling in hands and/or feet
- Feeling tired
- Dry skin
- Sores or cuts heal slowly or don’t heal
- More infections than normal
Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any time, and Type 2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in patients older than 40. Of note, the rate of type 2 diabetes in children is increasing.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms listed above is vital to be able to see a medical provider as soon as possible. With appropriate care, diabetes is a manageable disease that may not lead to any additional complications.
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