SIMPLE WARNING SIGNS OF DIABETES

Diabetes is at epidemic porportions in the United States today.  Diabetes is a serious health problem and early detection is key with this disease.  Diabetes more than doubles a person's risk of heart disease, can lead to stroke, blindness, limb amputation, and even possibly some forms of cancer.  It has been estimated that as many as 50% of the American population could be diabetic by the year 2020. Some of the symptoms of the disease are so simple but can also be blamed on many other things.  I know that in my case, many of the symptoms were there, I even had a family history of diabetes, and I still didn't realize what the problem was.  Looking back after the diagnosis it was easy to see the symptoms and why I had explained them away.  By the time I was diagnosed, my blood sugar was just under 500! 

• Excessive thirst is a big clue!  Don't ignore this symptom.  I live in Texas and the summers are hot.  I had excessive thirst but thought it was due to the record breaking heat wave of a month of days over 100 degrees.  I should have gone to the doctor!
• Increased urination.  Yes, I had that symptom, too.  However, I assumed that was because I was drinking more.  Not so; don't make the mistake I did.
• Yeast infection in women.  Yes, had that one too.  Antibiotics also cause yeast infections.  I was dealing with a serious colon problem and had been on antibiotics for three months so didn't think anything about that one either.
• Eye problems.  Yes, had that one too.  By now you are problem wondering how I could have been so stupid as to not even consider diabetes.  Right after I first noticed some blurry vision, I got my little postcard in the mail reminding me it was time for my every-two-years eye exam.  So I thought that was my problem.

Thank goodness strep throat sent me to the doctor.  I'm not usually thankful for strep throat but this time it was a good thing it sent me to the doctor.  When I told him how I had been feeling, he immediately called the nurse in to test my blood sugar.  That day, I hadn't been eating because my throat was so sore, but still my blood sugar was close to 300.  He had me take antibiotics for 10 days then go in fasting for more blood sugar testing.  This time it was almost 500.

I am sharing my experience with you today because I want you to see how simple the symptoms can be and how easily they can be thought of as something else.  At the first sign of symptoms, get to your doctor, stop by a CVS Minute Clinic where they will usually test you for free, etc but do get your blood sugar checked.