What happens if you are diabetic but don't know?

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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What happens if you have diabetes without knowing?

So, yes, you most certainly can have diabetes and not know it. Without treatment, diabetes can increase your risk of developing other health issues, such as kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, or heart disease. Diabetes is a chronic health condition, but it can be managed.

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How long can you live with 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 does undiagnosed diabetes feel like?

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 7 warning signs of diabetes?

  • Excessive Urination. ...
  • Increased Thirst or a Dry Mouth. ...
  • Unexpected Weight Loss. ...
  • You Feel Hungry All The Time. ...
  • Foot Pain and Numbness. ...
  • Frequent Infections and Feminine Health Issues. ...
  • Blurred Vision Could Be a Result of Rapid Blood Sugar Changes.

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What Happens If You Don't Treat Diabetes? Every Diabetic Should Know

19 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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Is diabetes reversible in early stages?

Early detection and treatment can reverse the condition and prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, in which the body doesn't use insulin properly, is on the rise in the United States. There are more than 35 million people with the condition, and many are diagnosed when they are young, even in adolescence.

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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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Can diabetes go away?

There is no cure for type 2 diabetes. But it may be possible to reverse the condition to a point where you do not need medication to manage it and your body does not suffer ill effects from having blood sugar levels that are too high.

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How do you feel when diabetes starts?

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes high blood sugar levels. Early signs and symptoms can include tiredness and hunger, frequent urination, increased thirst, vision problems, slow wound healing, and yeast infections.

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What are the final stages of diabetes?

What are the signs of end-of-life due to diabetes?
  • using the bathroom frequently.
  • increased drowsiness.
  • infections.
  • increased thirst.
  • increased hunger.
  • itching.
  • weight loss.
  • fatigue.

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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 stress and anxiety cause diabetes?

Stress alone doesn't cause diabetes. But there is some evidence that there may be a link between stress and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Our researchers think that high levels of stress hormones might stop insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from working properly and reduce the amount of insulin they make.

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Is diabetes fatal without treatment?

Untreated diabetes can lead to long-term complications or even death. In people with type 2 diabetes, these complications can include heart disease, kidney damage, peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain), or vision loss. Sometimes, diabetes goes untreated because it hasn't been diagnosed.

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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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Can a diabetic go back to normal?

But yes, it may be possible to put your type 2 diabetes into remission. This is when your blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range and you don't need to take diabetes medication anymore. This could be life-changing.

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Can drinking water prevent diabetes?

Drinking water instead of other beverages may help control blood sugar and insulin levels, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes. Sticking with water most of the time helps you avoid beverages that are high in sugar, preservatives and other unneeded ingredients.

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Can you feel ill with prediabetes?

Prediabetes doesn't have any symptoms. If you start to have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes it means you have probably already developed it. So it's important to know the risk factors and what support is available to help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

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Is pre diabetes serious?

Prediabetes is a serious health condition. People with prediabetes have higher blood sugar than normal, but not high enough yet for a diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

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Is 5.8 blood sugar normal?

For most people without diabetes, normal blood sugar levels are: between 4 and to 6 mmol/L before meals. less than 8 mmol/L two hours after eating.

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Is it true once a diabetic always a diabetic?

When your blood sugar is normal with no treatment, then the diabetes is considered to have gone away. However, even when the blood sugars are controlled, because type 2 diabetes is a genetic condition, the predisposition for diabetes always exists. High blood sugars can come back.

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Is 6.1 blood sugar high?

In general: Less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L ) is normal. 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L ) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L ) or higher on two separate tests is diagnosed as diabetes.

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How long does it take to turn around diabetes?

Losing weight and reversing prediabetes can take anywhere from a few weeks, to a few months, to a few years, but the window of time to reverse prediabetes after a diagnosis is between 2-6 years – so you have time!

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