How to Detect Early Signs of Diabetes

Detecting and diagnosing diabetes at an early stage can help increase your chances of living a long and healthy life, while decreasing your chances of developing severe complications from the disease. There are a number of early warning signs of diabetes that you can look out for.

• Pay attention to a sudden increase in thirst, as well as an increase in urination. Excessive thirst and urination are two of the earliest warning signs of diabetes. You may also find that you have an increased appetite.


• Take note if you are experiencing sudden weight loss. If you notice you are losing weight, you may want to keep track of what you are eating and how much weight you are losing in a journal.


• Know your risk factors. Having a family history of the disease and being obese are both risk factors that increase your chances of developing diabetes.


• Notice any wounds or bruises that are unusually slow to heal, as this is often seen in those with diabetes.


• Pay attention to extreme fatigue. If you are getting plenty of rest, but find yourself feeling fatigued and irritable, this may be a warning sign of diabetes.


• Pay attention to blurred vision, as recurring blurred vision can be a sign of diabetes. Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet are also signs of diabetes.


• Keep track of all of your symptoms in a journal, and schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Your health care provider will be able to run a series of tests to help you determine if you have diabetes.