EARLY DETECTION

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of diabetes to detect the disease early and get it under control before any irreversible damage is done to the body.  Recent studies indicate that early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the chance of developing complications from the disease.

Diabetes has often been referred to as a "silent disease" for two reasons: 1) Many people with Type 2 diabetes walk around with symptoms for many years, but are not diagnosed until they develop a complication of the disease, such as blindness, kidney disease, or heart disease; 2) There are no specific physical manifestations in individuals with diabetes.  Therefore, unless a person chooses to disclose their disease, it is possible that friends and even family members may be unaware of a person's diagnosis.

Diabetes is detected through a blood glucose test, and experts recommend that Americans over age 35 with a family history of diabetes or other risk factors (such as being overweight) should consider asking their physicians for a blood test annually. The earlier diabetes is detected, the earlier complications may be treated and/or prevented.

  COMMON SIGNS/SYMPTOMS

(for Type 1, Type 2, Pre-diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Type 1.5)

• Frequent Urination 
• Excessive Thirst
• Extreme Hunger
• Unusual Weight Loss
• Increased Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry Vision

RISK FACTORS

TYPE 1 DIABETES

• Family history of type 1 diabetes. Having a family history of the disease increases the chance that a person will have islet cell antibodies, but it does not predict that a person will have the disease. Only about 10% to 15% of people with type 1 diabetes have a family history of the disease.
  • If the father has the disease, a child has a 6% risk of developing it.
  • If a sibling has the disease, a child has a 5% risk of developing it.
  • If the mother has the disease, a child has a 2% risk of developing it.
  • If an identical twin has the disease, the other twin has a 30% to 50% risk of developing it.
  • If a parent and one sibling have the disease, a child has a 30% risk of developing it.
• Race. White people have a greater risk for developing type 1 diabetes than black, Asian, or Hispanic people.
• Presence of islet cell antibodies in the blood. People who have both a family history of type 1 diabetes and islet cell antibodies in their blood are likely to develop the disease at some time.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

• Age greater than 45 years old
• Diabetes during a previous pregnancy
• Excess body weight (especially around the waist)
• Family history of diabetes
• Given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• HDL cholesterol under 35
• High blood levels of triglycerides, a type of fat molecule (250 mg/dL or more)
• High blood pressure (greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg)
• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Low activity level
• Poor diet

The Risk Test below (American Diabetes Association) is a tool to help raise awareness about the seriousness of diabetes and its risk factors: