Diabetes: Watch For These Signs
An estimated 17 million Americans have diabetes, meaning their bodies
cannot process sugar properly. Unfortunately, symptoms can last for
months or years before the person affected bothers to see a doctor. By
that point, the damage may be irreversible. Untreated diabetes can cause
heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of the
leg, foot, and toes. In addition, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
are also often found with diabetes.
Common symptoms to watch for include frequent urination, thirstiness,
dry mouth, weight loss, and feeling tired. Changes in vision, darkened
skin around the eyes and knuckles, gum disease and bad breath
may also be signs of diabetes. Other symptoms include frequent skin
infections; slow healing cuts and bruises; and tingling in hands and feet.
Everyone over the age of 45 should be screened every 3 years for diabetes.
Those who are overweight, those with a family history of diabetes,
and persons with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels should
be screened at a younger age and more often. Early treatment can prevent
many long-term complications.