By: Julia Lott, MS, RD, LD Fresh ‘N Fit Cuisine
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 100 million people either have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, the number of individuals who know they have this disease are much lower. It can be life – threatening when not addressed and treated appropriately. Additionally, there are 7.2 million Americans or 1 in 4 living with the diseases that are unaware that they have it.
It is important to be aware of the warning signs for type 2 diabetes. They are sometimes very mild, and don’t alarm people when they encounter them. Here are a few:
Increased Thirst
Increased thirst is a warning sign that there may be somethingwrong. High blood sugar leads toincreased production of urine and the need to urinate more often. Additionally, frequent urinations cause youto get thirsty more often due to dehydration. It can cause you to have a dry mouth.
Foot Pain and Numbness
High bloodsugar over an extended period of time can lead to foot pain and numbness. It damages the nerves throughout thebody. This is called diabeticneuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy(numbness in extremities) can also occur from having pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Blurred Vision
The lens ofthe eye is a flexible membrane suspended by muscles that change shape of thelens to focus the eye. The lens losesits ability to bend when in a high sugar environment. Blurred vision can happen when there is arapid change in blood sugar.
Unexpected Weight Loss
When youhave uncontrolled diabetes, your cells may not get enough glucose. This causes weight loss. Also, if you are urinating more frequently,then you are losing calories and water; resulting in weight loss as well.
Diagnosis of Pre-diabetes and Diabetes
Elevated Blood Sugar Level
One of the first signs of pre-diabetes is higher than normal blood sugars. A blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dL is a sign of pre-diabetes. It is not high enough to diagnose as diabetes, however, if left untreated it can develop into diabetes. A level of 126mg/dL two separate times is a qualification for diabetes.
A1C Level
An A1C level of 7 or above on two separate occasions is a diagnosis of diabetes. A1C is the average blood sugar level in the body over a three month period. If you feel you are at risk for diabetes, you should request an A1C from your physician.
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