Diabetes affects men and women, but some warning signs differ between the sexes. According to the American Diabetes Association, half of all diabetes cases are diagnosed in people under the age of 65, and one out of every three cases occurs in people who are over the age of 50. So whether you are a woman or man with diabetes, it’s vital to know what’s going on with your body and how to get it back on track if you experience any of these five diabetes warning signs.
Diabetes is serious and can cause complications if left untreated. Many people with diabetes never even realize they have it because it doesn’t always present obvious symptoms like high blood sugar levels. But that doesn’t mean it’s not serious or difficult to treat and manage. In fact, one out of three people who have diabetes doesn’t even know they have it yet, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Keep reading to learn more about the five common signs of diabetes in women so you can better protect yourself against this debilitating disease.
Women are at higher risk of diabetes than men, and one reason why that may be the case is that they often don’t realize they have it until later in the disease process. These five warning signs of diabetes in women should be enough to get you checked out by your doctor right away so you can work to treat your condition before it gets any worse.
5 Warning Signs of Diabetes in Women
Diabetes affects men and women, but some warning signs differ between the sexes. According to the American Diabetes Association, half of all diabetes cases are diagnosed in people under the age of 65, and one out of every three cases occurs in people who are over the age of 50. So whether you are a woman or man with diabetes, it’s vital to know what’s going on with your body and how to get it back on track if you experience any of these five diabetes warning signs.
1) What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a pre-diagnosis of diabetes—you have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. An estimated 84 million American adults have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, 90% don’t know they have it. If you have prediabetes, you are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke. The good news is that if you have prediabetes, the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program can help you make lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
2) Extreme Hunger
You know that feeling when you’re so hungry you could eat an entire pizza? And then you do, and an hour later you’re still hungry? If you find yourself excessively hungry all the time, it could be a sign of diabetes. Your body isn’t able to process glucose properly, so it’s constantly looking for more energy sources. This can result in extreme hunger, even after eating a full meal.
3) Extreme Thirst
You know that feeling when your mouth is dry, no matter how much water you drink? It might be a sign of diabetes. When there’s too much sugar in your blood, your body tries to get rid of it through urine. That means you have to go to the bathroom more, which can leave you feeling dehydrated.
4) Frequent Urination
If you find yourself running to the restroom more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes. When there’s too much sugar in your blood, your kidneys have to work overtime to filter it out. This process causes excess fluid to pass into your bladder, leading to more trips to the bathroom. If you’re also thirsty all the time, it’s another symptom of high blood sugar levels.
5) Blurred Vision
One sign that you may have diabetes is blurred vision. This is caused by high levels of sugar in your blood, which can lead to changes in the shape of your lens. This means that light isn’t focused properly when it enters your eye, and things look blurry. If you notice this symptom, be sure to see your doctor for a check-up.
