Can you be a diabetic for years and not know?

Some people don't notice any symptoms at all. Type 2 diabetes usually starts when you're an adult, though more and more children and teens are developing it. Because symptoms are hard to spot, it's important to know the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Make sure to visit your doctor if you have any of them.

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How long can you have diabetes without knowing?

Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general, or there are no symptoms at all.

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What happens if diabetes goes untreated for years?

Possible long-term effects include damage to large (macrovascular) and small (microvascular) blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and problems with the kidneys, eyes, gums, feet and nerves.

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Can you have type 1 diabetes for years and not know?

It can take months or years before symptoms of type 1 diabetes are noticed. Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months. Once symptoms appear, they can be severe. Some type 1 diabetes symptoms are similar to symptoms of other health conditions.

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Can diabetes go undiagnosed for up to a decade?

Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for up to ten years and around half of people already show signs of complications by the time they are diagnosed.

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What It's Like to Have Type 1 Diabetes | UC San Diego Health

42 related questions found

What does untreated diabetes feel like?

The symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, passing more urine than usual, and feeling tired all the time. The symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in your blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in your urine.

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How do you feel if you have undiagnosed diabetes?

10 Silent Symptoms of Diabetes
  • Frequent urination. Most people urinate four to seven times in a day. ...
  • Excessive thirst. ...
  • Extreme hunger. ...
  • Weakness/fatigue. ...
  • Pins and needles. ...
  • Blurry vision. ...
  • Itchy skin. ...
  • Slow healing wounds and increased skin infections.

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What can diabetes be mistaken for?

Numbness in the Hands or Feet
  • Beriberi syndrome (vitamin B1 deficiency)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome6.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • Multiple sclerosis 7.
  • Drinking too much alcohol.
  • Kidney failure.

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What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

Early signs and symptoms of diabetes
  • Frequent urination. When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. ...
  • Increased thirst. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Blurred vision. ...
  • Increased hunger. ...
  • Unexplained weight loss. ...
  • Slow healing cuts and wounds. ...
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

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How long can you live with unchecked diabetes?

The average life expectancy of a type 2 diabetic patient is between 77 to 81 years. However, it is not uncommon for diabetics to live past the age of 85, should they be able to maintain good blood sugar levels and lengthen their lifespan.

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What happens if you live with undiagnosed diabetes?

If type 2 diabetes goes untreated, the high blood sugar can affect various cells and organs in the body. Complications include kidney damage, often leading to dialysis, eye damage, which could result in blindness, or an increased risk for heart disease or stroke.

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Can undiagnosed diabetes cause weight gain?

The short answer is yes, gaining weight with diabetes is possible. People with diabetes indeed often struggle with weight gain due to medications plus a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise can contribute to weight gain, which results in higher blood glucose and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

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Could it be something other than diabetes?

Nondiabetic hyperglycemia means your blood glucose (sugar) level is high even though you do not have diabetes. Hyperglycemia may happen suddenly during a major illness or injury. Instead, hyperglycemia may happen over a longer period of time and be caused by a chronic disease.

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How can people have type 2 diabetes but not know it?

Type 2 diabetes can go undiagnosed for years if symptoms are missed. Left untreated high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems called diabetes complications. Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes but it mostly affects people over 25 often with a family history.

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How does a person with diabetes feel?

The symptoms you experience won't exactly match those of another person. However, the most common diabetes symptoms experienced by many people with diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, feeling tired and losing weight.

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What are the warning signs of prediabetes?

Symptoms
  • Increased thirst.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Increased hunger.
  • Fatigue.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.
  • Frequent infections.
  • Slow-healing sores.

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What's the easiest way to tell if you have diabetes?

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

This measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating). A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

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What color is your pee when you have diabetes?

Transparent and lacking in color

Transparent, colorless urine could also be a sign of some other health disorders, including diabetes and kidney disease, or from taking diuretic medication.

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What are three signs of undiagnosed diabetes?

Common symptoms of diabetes:
  • Urinating often.
  • Feeling very thirsty.
  • Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating.
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal.
  • Weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1)
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

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What are the signs of diabetes in a woman?

Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:
  • Feeling more thirsty than usual.
  • Urinating often.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Presence of ketones in the urine. ...
  • Feeling tired and weak.
  • Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.
  • Having blurry vision.
  • Having slow-healing sores.

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What happens to your body if you ignore diabetes?

Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, nerve and kidney damage, vision loss and more. Even if you have mild blood sugar elevations, you can damage your organs. Diabetes is a common condition.

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What is diabetic belly?

Diabetes Belly Fat is a sign that the body is failing. Stomach fat is linked to Heart failure in the diabetic. Lack of good insulin causes the body to store fat at the waist.

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How can I get rid of my diabetic belly?

Avoid foods that are high in simple sugars. Fructose, or sugar, can cause visceral fat to grow. Reduce the amount of sugary drinks, juices, refined grains, baked goods and processed foods in your diet. Eating to your energy needs can help prevent visceral fat from occurring or increasing.

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