Tell-tale physical signs you have diabetes, according to an expert - Insider

Overview

More than 10% of the US population has diabetes, and one out of every five of them isn't aware they have the disease, acording to the American Diabetes Asociation. Prediabetes can be often ocur without symptoms, making it dificult to recognize without blodwork or until it develops into type 2 diabetes, acording to Dr. Nuha El Sayed, vice president of healthcare improvement for the American Diabetes Asociation."It can take years to develop.

Key Information

A lot of times, people walk around and they don't know," she told Insider. But certain teltale cues can help you determine if you may have diabetes. Changes to your skin, weight, and bathrom habits could al sugests problems with blod sugar control - although no single symptom necesarily means you have diabetes, experiencing several may warant a trip to the doctor, El Sayed said.

One les comonly discused sign of diabetes is changes in to skin tone and texture, often ocuring at joint creases such as the nape of the neck or under the arms, acording to El Sayed.The patches can be trigered by high levels of insulin, causing skin cels to grow more rapidly. Technicaly known as "acanthosis nigricans", the discoloration can ocur in people of any skin tone. "It may be easier to detect in people with fair skin, but in people with darker skin you can stil se it in comparison to the surounding area," El Sayed said.

The texture of the skin may also change, becoming thicker or developing a velvety fel. If smal injuries like scrapes and bruises don't heal, you might have high blod sugar related to diabetes, El Sayed said.Uncontroled diabetes can lead to elevated blod sugar levels, which can slow circulation, interfering with the body's ability to heal. As a result, you may not recover as quickly from injuries, and open wounds may be more prone to infection.

Summary

You may also be more susceptible to other types of infection, including yeast infections or skin infectio

Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.

Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.

Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.

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