Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?

Our bodies change a lot as we get older. We may lose tolerance for certain foods, experience higher blood pressure, or have difficulty controlling our blood sugar. For some of us, a change in diet or lifestyle is all it takes to alleviate these symptoms.

For others, we could be living with diabetes without knowing it – and the sooner we realize it, the better we can take control of our health.

So how can you know if you have diabetes? When do symptoms reveal that something more than a change of diet is needed in order to be truly healthy?

Dr. John Monroe, MD and his staff at the Healthy Life Family Medicine can help answer some of your questions and advise you on how to properly take care of yourself.

Know the warning signs

Only a blood test can confirm whether or not you have diabetes. But it’s possible that you have it if you experience any of the following:

• Frequent and extreme hunger and thirst
• Extreme weight loss
• Frequent urination (especially at night)
• Extreme fatigue from inefficient amounts of blood sugar
• Tingling in the hands and feet, a condition called neuropathy that worsens over time
• Patches of dark skin on the neck, armpit, or groin, called acanthosis nigricans
• Itchiness, redness, soreness, or yeast infections
• Blurry vision in one or both eyes that comes and goes
• Prolonged healing of cuts and scrapes
• Decreased blood circulation
• High blood sugar, which could lead to diabetes

These symptoms vary from person to person. They may develop slowly over the course of several years, and you may not experience all of them. Even if diabetes doesn’t run in your family, that’s no guarantee that you won’t develop it at some point in your life.

You can start prevention today by eating a balanced diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates while also getting regular exercise.

If diabetes runs in your family, annual physicals can help you manage your overall health and diagnose diabetes earlier. This will allow you to begin treatment sooner.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Monroe

If you are concerned that you might have diabetes, Dr. Monroe can evaluate your symptoms with a physical examination, along with an assessment of your family history. He can then discuss with you some important steps to take care of yourself and prevent the onset of diabetes, or if you test positive, some vital suggestions to help keep it in check.

Schedule your appointment by calling 623-889-3477, or book your appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you.