To know if you have diabetes, watch for these common symptoms:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Excessive thirst
- Feeling very hungry even when eating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme fatigue or tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or wounds
- Dry mouth and dry, itchy skin
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands or feet (more common in type 2)
- Frequent infections such as thrush or urinary tract infections
These symptoms may develop quickly in type 1 diabetes, often over days or weeks, or gradually in type 2 diabetes, sometimes going unnoticed for years
. If you suspect diabetes, a blood test is necessary for diagnosis. Common tests include:
- Fasting blood glucose test: Diabetes is diagnosed if fasting blood sugar is 126 mg/dL or higher
- Random blood glucose test: Diabetes is diagnosed if blood sugar is 200 mg/dL or higher with symptoms
- A1c test: Diabetes is diagnosed if A1c is 6.5% or higher
Regular screening is recommended, especially if you are over 40 or have risk factors such as family history, overweight, or high blood pressure. Many people with diabetes do not have symptoms initially, so screening is important to detect it early and prevent complications
. If you experience these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and testing. Early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications
