Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that can cause a wide range of health complications, but not everyone who has the condition is aware of it. You can absolutely have diabetes or prediabetes and have no idea. 

Kadie E. Leach, MD, understands the importance of preventive health, and monitoring blood glucose (blood sugar) levels over time is an essential part of the process. Residents of Lanham, Maryland, and the surrounding region rely on Dr. Leach for diabetes screening, prevention, and treatment. 

So let’s take a closer look at how to know if you have diabetes and what you can do to minimize your risk. 

Diabetes doesn’t always present a clear set of symptoms

Unlike some chronic health conditions, diabetes doesn’t always lead to easily identifiable symptoms. Many of the early warning signs for the condition can be easily mistaken for something else or ignored entirely. And some people don’t ever notice changes in the lead-up to a diabetes diagnosis. 

When symptoms are present, they might include:

• More frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Unintentional weight loss
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Areas of darkened skin, often in the armpits or neck
• Blurred vision

These changes can happen in both women and men, and they can develop very gradually. 

Blood glucose testing is the best way to check for diabetes

A simple blood test is the only way to gain a clear understanding of how much glucose is in your bloodstream at any given time. Diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to allow glucose to enter your cells and provide fuel, or if your body can’t make proper use of insulin. 

Because the glucose cannot access your cells, it builds up in your bloodstream. Simple blood testing shows whether your blood sugar is higher than it should be. It’s also important to know that you can have a condition called prediabetes, where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. 

People with prediabetes who make changes to their diet and increase their activity levels can actually reverse the condition and avoid a diabetes diagnosis. 

How to reduce your risk of developing diabetes

Once you’re getting blood glucose screenings (which are part of routine preventive health services), the next step is embracing a healthy lifestyle. Even those of us who are already making good choices when it comes to diet and exercise can always find areas for improvement. 

Nutrition is a great starting point. Filling your plate with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can dramatically reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Replacing highly processed foods with whole food options is also wonderful.

Adding more physical activity to your daily routine is also helpful. Even simple changes like parking at the back of the lot to get more steps in during errands and taking the stairs instead of the elevator can make a difference. 

If it’s been a while since you had your blood sugar checked, we encourage you to schedule a time to meet with Kadie E. Leach, MD, in Lanham, Maryland, for a comprehensive physical exam. You’ll learn more about your specific diabetes risk level and what you can do to stay as healthy as possible. 

Book your visit today by calling our office or using our online scheduling service.