With more than 30 million adults living with diabetes in the U.S., we all know someone who’s developed this illness. In fact, diabetes has become increasingly common over the last 20 years. During this time period, diagnoses have tripled in the U.S.

According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 15% of the adult population in Tennessee has diabetes, while 35.8% has prediabetes.

What Is Diabetes?

But what exactly is diabetes? In short, it’s a chronic disease that compromises your body’s ability to process food into energy. There are three types: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, which can occur among pregnant women.

In this post, we’re going to focus on type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of cases in the U.S. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the insulin hormone, which plays a critical role in turning blood sugar into energy, can’t keep up. In most cases, the pancreas will not produce enough insulin to meet the demand of the glucose level. This can lead to other major health problems, such as kidney disease and heart disease.

The 8 Warning Signs of Diabetes

Approximately one in four people with diabetes don’t know they have the disease. This is just one reason why it’s so important to recognize the early warning signs that type 2 diabetes presents. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over a third of all adults in the U.S. have prediabetes (and 90% don’t know it).

So, what are the warning signs?

Increased thirst
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Increased hunger
Headaches
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss (despite eating as usual)
Frequent urination (or urinary tract infections)

Should You Get Tested for Diabetes?

If you experience any of the symptoms discussed above, see your primary care physician or an internal medicine doctor in Nashville for an evaluation. These symptoms, on their own, do not necessarily indicate the presence of diabetes. However, it is important to get checked out if you’re experiencing symptoms such as fatigue and blurred vision.

If your provider deems it necessary, you may get tested with a simple blood sugar test. There are several blood tests that are easily performed in office; results are often available quickly.

See an Internal Medicine Doctor In Nashville

Need help managing your diabetes? Looking for a physician who will partner with you for better health? Meet the internal medicine providers at St. Thomas Medical Group. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call +1 (615) 297-2700
. You can also request an appointment online.