While an estimated 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, there are still over 6 million Americans out there who are unaware they have diabetes. One case of diabetes is diagnosed every minute in the United States. The most life-threatening consequences of diabetes are heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Early detection and prevention are crucial to reducing your risks of these serious complications.
Some risk factors for developing diabetes can be controlled – and some cannot. The risk for developing diabetes increases with age. Below are some common risk factors for developing diabetes, or complications from diabetes:
- High blood pressure
- Family history of diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Poor diet/nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Diabetes during pregnancy, or giving birth to a baby weighing over nine pounds.
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes. Below are some warning signs that you or a loved one may have diabetes:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
ADA’s Diabetes Risk Assessment