Diabetes without symptoms

An approximately 24 million Americans have diabetes, but according to the CDC, a quarter to a third party do not know. How can be unaware that they have diabetes as people? Of course, an important factor is the absence of symptoms. It is a feature of pre-diabetes times and the early stages of type 2 diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes share symptoms such as unquenchable thirst with unexpected weight loss, frequent urination, fatigue, hunger, and blurred vision. Another symptom experienced by people with diabetes type 2 is the increased frequency of infections and cuts or bruises that do not heal quickly. The onset of symptoms tends to be more gradual for people with diabetes type 2 to type 1.

The progressive nature of pre-diabetes - often a precursor of type 2 diabetes - can hide the actual diabetic symptoms and prevent early diagnosis. Accordingly, it is particularly important for people who have diabetes risk factors to know the symptoms and to monitor their appearance.

The appearance of any of these symptoms is a good reason to see a health professional.

Diabetes, particularly type 2, has a hereditary component. If a person with diabetes is a member of the family with the disease, this individual has an increased risk of developing it as well. Other major risk factors include smoking, overweight or inactive or with high cholesterol or high blood pressure rates. The age, ethnic origin (of European origin origin African, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian or Pacific type 2 and type 1), history of gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes are also risk factors.

Obesity is one of the most striking correlations of diabetes. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that nearly 80% of people with diabetes type 2 are overweight or obese. Fortunately, we must not lose weight dramatically to reduce the risk of diabetes or improve health. If someone loses only 5% of its weight, it can make a significant difference in the reduction of the risk of diabetes. Lose no weight can also help delay or prevent the complications of diabetes and facilitate the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.

When a person has one of the factors of risk of diabetes, pre-diabetes tests is recommended. The main criteria are the fasting plasma glucose test and the oral glucose tolerance test, - although even a random plasma glucose test can be useful and it is easier to do. The NIH and the American Diabetes Association suggest that persons with risk factors should be screened for diabetes as often that every two years.

The most important thing for a person with diabetes to do is to take useful concrete decisions on diet and exercise with the help of his team of health care. People with diabetes must be proactive and ask their providers of health care on their rate of sugar in the blood and the risk factors associated with diabetes.