Is It Time to Talk to Your Doctor About Diabetes? Don't Ignore the Signs!

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide. While a diagnosis can feel scary, early detection and management is crucial for preventing severe complications and living a healthy life.  But how do you know when it's time to stop wondering and start talking to your provider?  It is important to note there are different types of diabetes and your provider can order necessary tests to determine which type you have.

Diabetes doesn't always announce itself with a big entrance. It can be sneaky, with symptoms that are easily brushed off or mistaken for other things. Ignoring these signs can have long-term consequences.

How to Know to Talk to a Doctor about Diabetes

If you've been experiencing any of the following, it might be time to schedule an appointment with your medical provider to discuss these concerns:

1. You're Experiencing Unexplained Changes in Thirst and Urination:

• Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia): Do you feel constantly parched, no matter how much water you drink? This is a classic symptom. Your kidneys are working overtime to flush out excess sugar, leading to dehydration.
• Frequent Urination (Polyuria): Are you making more trips to the bathroom than usual, especially at night? This often goes hand-in-hand with excessive thirst as your body tries to expel the surplus glucose through your urine.

2. You're Feeling Constantly Fatigued and Lack Energy:

• Persistent Tiredness: If you're getting enough sleep but still feel drained, sluggish, or unusually tired throughout the day, it could be a red flag. Your cells aren't getting enough glucose for energy because insulin isn't working properly.

3. You've Noticed Unexplained Weight Loss:

• Losing Weight Without Trying: While this might sound like a dream for some, rapid or unexplained weight loss can be a sign of diabetes. When your body can't use glucose for energy, it starts breaking down muscle and fat, leading to weight loss even if you're eating normally.

4. You're Experiencing Blurred Vision:

• Sudden or Fluctuating Vision: High blood sugar levels can affect the fluid levels in the lenses of your eyes, causing them to swell and change shape. This can lead to temporary blurred vision that may come and go. If left unchecked, it can lead to more serious eye problems.

5. You Have Frequent or Slow-Healing Infections:

• Increased Susceptibility to Infections: High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections (especially in women), and skin infections.
• Wounds That Won't Heal: Do cuts, scrapes, or sores take an unusually long time to heal? Diabetes can impair your body's ability to repair itself, leading to persistent wounds.

6. You're Experiencing Numbness or Tingling in Your Extremities (Feet or Hands):

• Peripheral Neuropathy: Over time, high blood sugar can damage nerves, leading to tingling, numbness, pain, or a burning sensation in your hands and feet. This is a serious complication that warrants immediate medical attention.

Know your Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: Even without symptoms, it is important to know your risk.

Even without overt symptoms, if you have several risk factors, it's wise to discuss diabetes screening with your doctor:

• Family History: If a parent or sibling has diabetes, your risk is higher.
• Overweight or Obesity: Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk, especially for type 2 diabetes.
• Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to insulin resistance.
• Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age, especially after 45.
• High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol: These conditions are often linked to insulin resistance.
• History of Gestational Diabetes: If you had diabetes during pregnancy, you're at increased risk later in life.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Don't Self-Diagnose or Delay!

It's tempting to Google your symptoms and self-diagnose, but remember that many of these signs can be indicative of other conditions as well. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is through blood tests ordered by a medical professional.  Determining if you have diabetes and what type you have, will help guide your medication and treatment for managing the condition.

What to Expect at Your Appointment:

When you talk to your doctor, be prepared to discuss:

• Your complete medical history
• Any symptoms you've been experiencing, when they started, and how often they occur
• Your family's medical history
• Your lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption)

Your doctor may order blood tests such as:

• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) test: Measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast.
• A1C test: Provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures your blood sugar before and two hours after drinking a sugary solution.

The Bottom Line:

Your health is your most valuable asset. Routine visits with your medical provider are an important part of your overall wellness.  If you haven’t seen a provider for a while and are concerned with diabetes or other health issues, schedule an appointment today.