How long can you have diabetes and not know it?

Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe. Type 1 diabetes usually starts when you're a child, teen, or young adult but can happen at any age.

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Can you have undiagnosed diabetes for a long time?

Part of the reason that millions of Americans have undiagnosed diabetes is that the condition can often be silent for many years with no symptoms. But non-invasive screening methods can be used to assess risk, and more people can be tested based on their risk factors.

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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 are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

Feeling very thirsty. Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating. Extreme fatigue. Blurry vision.

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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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Diabetes symptoms | Signs of all types of diabetes | Diabetes UK

36 related questions found

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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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 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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How do you feel if you have diabetes without knowing?

People with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms at first. They may not have symptoms for many years. According to Medlineplus.gov, early symptoms of diabetes caused by a high blood sugar level may include: Bladder, kidney, skin, or other infections that are more frequent or heal slowly.

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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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What happens 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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How does diabetes make you feel?

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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Can you go from being diabetic to not?

Home Diabetes Is it possible to reverse diabetes? The short answer is yes; it's possible for Type 2 diabetes to go into remission. To be in remission, your blood sugar levels must remain normal for at least three months without using glucose-lowering medications.

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What is often mistaken for diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is commonly confused with urinary tract infection, stomach flu, strep throat, or viral infections (like mononucleosis), as these conditions all have symptoms that overlap with diabetes.

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What diseases can mimic diabetes?

  • Alcoholism.
  • Alzheimer's Disease.
  • Amenorrhea.
  • Amyloidosis.
  • Anorexia Nervosa.
  • Bulimia Nervosa.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
  • Cirrhosis.

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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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Can I check if I have diabetes myself?

The only way you can find out if you or a loved one has diabetes is from blood tests that measure you blood glucose (sugar) levels. These can be arranged through your GP. A diagnosis of diabetes is always confirmed by laboratory results. You'll usually get the results of your blood test back in a few days.

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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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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 you live 30 years with diabetes?

Some people have even lived with diabetes for seven and eight decades! It's important to know the risks of having a lifelong illness, but to not lose hope.

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Can diabetics drink alcohol?

Diabetics clearly should avoid heavy drinking (i.e., more than 10 to 12 drinks per day), because it can cause ketoacidosis and hypertriglyceridemia. Moreover, heavy drinking in a fasting state can cause hypoglycemia and ultimately increase diabetics' risk of death from noncardiovascular causes.

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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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How does diabetes affect your breasts?

Diabetic mastopathy (DMP) is a breast-related complication of type 1 or type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It manifests as hard, fibrous, and painless masses in one breast or both breasts. These masses are benign and irregular in shape. Interestingly, this condition is also seen in men.

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