Undiagnosed Diabetes: Warning Signs Your Body Sends That Should Not Be Ignored

SadaNews - Despite medical advancements and the expansion of screening programs, millions of people worldwide continue to live with diabetes without realizing they have it. In the United States alone, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that about 8.7 million people have undiagnosed diabetes, which is nearly a quarter of adults with the disease. This lack of diagnosis allows the disease to develop silently, increasing the risk of serious health complications that could have been prevented with early detection.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels and is divided into several types, the most notable being type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common, representing between 90% and 95% of cases, and often remains undetected for years due to the gradual development of high blood sugar with no severe symptoms in its early stages.

The onset of type 2 diabetes is preceded by a phase known as prediabetes, which can last for years without any obvious symptoms. Even when mild signs appear, they are often overlooked or confused with fatigue, aging, or daily life stresses, leading to delayed diagnosis and lost opportunities for early intervention that can slow the disease's progression.

In contrast, type 1 diabetes differs significantly in nature and onset speed, as it is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the pancreatic cells responsible for insulin secretion. Its symptoms often manifest suddenly in children, such as rapid weight loss, excessive thirst, and frequent urination, with the initial diagnosis often linked to a medical emergency known as diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication requiring urgent intervention.

The importance of early detection lies in paying attention to symptoms that may indicate diabetes, especially if they appear together or persist for a long time. Some of the prominent common symptoms that may signal a warning are:

Common Symptoms That May Indicate Diabetes:

Frequent urination as the body attempts to eliminate excess sugar through urine, leading to fluid loss and increased thirst.

Severe and persistent thirst due to the loss of water and salts from repeated urination.

Intense hunger as a result of the body's cells being unable to use sugar as an energy source due to a lack of insulin or resistance to it.

Constant fatigue as the body fails to utilize food as an effective source of energy.

Unexplained weight loss, especially in children with type 1 diabetes, and it may also appear in cases of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Blurred vision due to the effect of high blood sugar on the small blood vessels in the eye.

Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet due to peripheral nerve damage associated with chronic high blood sugar.

In addition to these symptoms, other less common signs worth noting may include:

Dry mouth.

Dry skin and itching.

Slow healing of wounds.

Frequent infections, particularly skin or fungal infections.

Appearance of dark, velvety patches of skin in certain areas of the body.

The danger of undiagnosed diabetes lies in its complications, both acute and chronic. Severe high blood sugar can lead to medical emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome, both of which require immediate hospital treatment. In the long term, uncontrolled diabetes can affect the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes, and blood vessels, adversely impacting quality of life.

Therefore, the American Diabetes Association recommends regular screenings for type 2 diabetes every three years after the age of 35, or earlier for individuals with risk factors such as obesity, family history, high blood pressure, or lack of physical activity. Diagnostic methods include tests such as hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood sugar, and glucose tolerance tests, which are effective tools for early detection and staging of the disease.

Awareness of symptoms and early detection remain cornerstones in combating diabetes. Timely diagnosis, along with lifestyle modification and appropriate treatment, can reduce disease progression and provide those affected with the opportunity for a healthier and more stable life, away from complications that could be avoided with regular medical follow-up.

Source: Websites