It's Often the First Sign of Diabetes

The early stages of diabetes can go undiagnosed if you aren’t paying attention to what your body is telling you. According to the CDC, roughly 10% of people with diabetes don’t even know they have it, as there are no obvious symptoms in the early stages of the disease – but there are some signs that could indicate that you have developed Type 2 diabetes, even before you take a blood test or see your doctor about potential symptoms. (See related content.) These can include...

Checking for diabetes

The best way to know if you have diabetes is to have your blood sugar levels checked. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to have them checked as soon as possible and get started on a potential diabetes solution. Oftentimes, checking for diabetes is one of those first steps in creating a system that can keep your disease at bay. As it turns out, taking care of yourself from day one just might be able to protect you from any future health concerns. By putting simple measures into place now, you might end up helping yourself live a longer and healthier life down the road. The key is recognizing when signs appear early on—and getting help right away—before things spiral out of control or escalate into major health problems down the line.

How to avoid diabetes

The good news is that type 2 diabetes, which is what 90% of people with diabetes have, can be managed and avoided. Eating a diet rich in fiber and low in fat and sugar will help to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Limit high-carbohydrate foods such as white bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and sweets that quickly raise your blood sugar level. Eat at least six servings of fruits and vegetables each day for antioxidants to help protect against disease. Exercise 30 minutes every day for better circulation.

Diet as a possible solution

Diet is a big part of solving diabetes. Choose foods that are high in fiber, protein, and other nutrients. Your meals should include lean meats and fish, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats like olive oil. Portion control is important because too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health issues over time. You’ll also want to drink plenty of water daily for optimal health. It’s also a good idea to stay active so you can maintain a healthy weight.

Foods and drinks with a high glycemic index

Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity, and it’s estimated that more than 90 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. If you have diabetes, your doctor will tell you to lose weight. This is for good reason: Many studies show that losing weight can reduce your blood sugar levels and help keep them in check long-term. Your doctor will most likely recommend eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly to reach a healthy weight — rather than aiming for a specific number on the scale. In addition to monitoring your food intake and physical activity, certain foods should be limited or avoided if you have type 2 diabetes.

Self-testing blood glucose kits

Glucose monitoring can be done in various ways. The glucose meter is one way, but they are quite expensive and often requires a doctor’s prescription. Another option is to test your blood using a self-monitoring kit sold over-the-counter at most pharmacies. These kits use drops you place on your finger or an instrument that measures blood levels through your fingertips. However, these kits have limitations and false readings may occur. If you test several times in a row, you may get varying results and it becomes difficult to know exactly how high or low your blood sugar level is as you move throughout each day.

Managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are both manageable. The most common treatments for both types involve keeping blood sugar in check through insulin injections or oral medications. They include eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Managing your weight is important for treating type 2 diabetes since being overweight can cause insulin resistance, which leads to high blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetics will need to take more insulin over time as their body becomes less able to produce it on its own, so gaining or losing just a few pounds can have a big impact on how much medication they need.

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