And Now A Public Service Announcement

Diabetes: Warning Signs

Because diabetes can cause serious complications, it's important to be on the lookout for signs that you may have diabetes. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include:

Increased thirst.
Increased hunger (especially after eating).
Dry mouth.
Frequent urination.
Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry).
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling.)
Blurred vision.
Headaches.
Loss of consciousness (rare).

Type 2 diabetes is usually not diagnosed until complications have occurred. Most often, there are no symptoms or a very gradual development of the above symptoms. In fact, about a third of all people who have type 2 diabetes don't know they have it. When hyperglycemia occurs, the symptoms can be the same as those listed above.

Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:

Slow-healing sores or cuts.
Itching of the skin (usually around the vaginal or groin area).
Frequent yeast infections.
Recent weight gain.
Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit and groin, called acanthosis nigricans.
Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet.
Decreased vision.
Impotency.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away so you can get tested or screened. Even people with pre-diabetes can have the increased risk from heart disease seen in people with diabetes