Ask The Expert
Diagnosis & Symptoms

It's good that you want to get educated because, according to the American Diabetes Association web site, 23.6 million (7.8% of the U.S. population) have diabetes, yet 1/4 (about 5.7 million) of them are unaware they have the disease. In addition, an estimated 57 million Americans have Pre-Diabetes. Often, people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all, or their only symptom is fatigue. In addition, it has been estimated that the average person with type 2 diabetes has had the disease 7 - 10 years before being diagnosed.

Warning Signs of Diabetes:

• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue
• Irritability
• Frequent infections
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
• Blurred vision
• Tingling/numbness in the hands or feet

People who are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes:

• People over age 45
• People with a family history of diabetes
• People who are overweight
• People who do not exercise regularly
• People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides
• People with high blood pressure
• Certain racial and ethnic groups (African Americans, Latinos, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans)
• Women who had gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes occurring in 3-5 percent of all pregnancies) or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.

If you have any of the above symptoms, or if you belong to one of the above mentioned high-risk groups, please see your doctor as soon as possible to have a blood test for diabetes.