Can you live life without knowing you have diabetes?

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. In fact, you can be living with type 2 diabetes for years and not know it.

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Is it possible to live with diabetes without knowing?

Often called a "silent disease," diabetes can develop in people without initially producing symptoms. If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to serious complications, including heart, kidney, vision, and circulatory problems that can lead to permanent disability or even premature death.

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How long can you live with diabetes undetected?

It is not uncommon for people to live with type 2 diabetes for years without being aware of their condition. These cases of undiagnosed diabetes may sometimes only be picked up during a routine medical check-up.

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What happens if you don't realise you have diabetes?

If diabetes isn't treated, it can lead to a number of other health problems. High glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs. Even a mildly raised glucose level that doesn't cause any symptoms can have long-term damaging effects.

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

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What are 3 symptoms 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 happens if diabetes goes untreated for years?

Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the body's organs. 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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What does untreated diabetes feel like?

Extreme hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue and weakness, blurred vision, irritability, and other mood changes. If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor.

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Is untreated diabetes fatal?

When diabetes is well managed, patients can live long and healthy lives. However, untreated diabetes can lead to high blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can be deadly. Some symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include: Feeling thirsty.

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How quickly does diabetes progress?

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can start quickly, in a matter of weeks. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly—over the course of several years—and can be so mild that you might not even notice them.

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What are the red flags of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms
  • Toilet - going for a wee a lot, especially at night.
  • Thirsty - being really thirsty.
  • Tired - feeling more tired than usual.
  • Thinner - losing weight without trying to.
  • Genital itching or thrush.
  • Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
  • Blurred eyesight.
  • Increased hunger.

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What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

Here are 10 subtle signs 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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Can diabetes ruin your life?

The younger a person who receives a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is, the higher the risk that diabetes-linked complications will shorten their lifespan. However, by adopting effective management strategies, there is a good chance that a person living with type 2 diabetes may live as long as a person without the condition.

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Do you feel ill with undiagnosed diabetes?

Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: peeing more than usual, particularly at night.

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How do I know I am pre diabetic?

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 are the stages of undiagnosed diabetes?

Diabetes occurs in four stages: Insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes with vascular complications.

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How long can you live with type 2 diabetes without treatment?

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 makes diabetes worse?

For people with diabetes, blood sugar can spike. Dehydration—less water in your body means your blood sugar is more concentrated. Nose spray—some have chemicals that trigger your liver to make more blood sugar. Gum disease—it's both a complication of diabetes and a blood sugar spiker.

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What does diabetic urine look like?

If you have diabetes insipidus, you'll continue to pee large amounts of watery (dilute), light-colored urine when normally you'd only pee a small amount of concentrated, dark yellow urine.

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What does diabetes feel like in the beginning?

Blurry vision, increased urination, feeling hungry, extreme thirst, and finding that you have itchy, dry skin are all warning signs that you could be in the early stages of type 2 diabetes. Some other signs may be harder to pin down.

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What color is urine in diabetes?

One of the most common changes in urine color associated with diabetes is a darker yellow color. This is because high blood sugar levels can cause your kidneys to work harder to filter out excess glucose, leading to more concentrated urine. In some cases, urine may even appear orange or brown.

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What is the 3 day rule diabetes?

We recommend that you adjust your insulin using the '3 day' rule. The '3 day' rule can help you to regulate your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are above or below target levels for three days in a row, then adjust your insulin using the charts on the pages overleaf. range for three days in a row.

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