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Diabetes Symptoms: 5 Signs You Should Not Ignore
Evie Carrick MORE ARTICLES
June 12, 2016
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a doctor with a shot
A doctor holding a shot | Source: iStock
Diabetes is often called the silent killer because of its easy to miss symptoms. Of the estimated 24 million people in the U.S. with the disease (including several notable athletes), only 18 million are aware that they have it, leaving six million Americans who have no idea that they are living with diabetes. People with diabetes are not able to use the hormone insulin properly. Insulin is necessary to get sugar from your blood to your cells so they can use it as energy.
When the insulin doesn’t function as it should, the sugar accumulates in the blood instead of being used by the cells. The symptoms can be mild enough that unless you’re aware of the signs, you may live years without knowing that your body is functioning improperly. Watch for these warning signs, pay attention to gradual changes, and if something seems off, see your doctor for a blood sugar test. The longer you go without treating the disease the greater your risk for heart disease, kidney disease, amputation, blindness, and other serious complications.
1. Thirst and excessive pee breaks
2. Constant hunger
3. Rapid weight loss
4. Foot pain and numbness
5. Blurry vision
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