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Publication #FCS8577

Healthy Living for Elders: Diabetes Warning Signs1

Linda Bobroff2

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Could you have diabetes and not know it? It is possible. About half of the people who have diabetes dont know they have the disease!

Why is this a concern?

If you have diabetes but are not getting treatment, you are at high risk of having health complications. This includes the risk for heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and/or amputations.

Treating and managing diabetes can greatly decrease the chances of having these problems. It will allow you to have the energy to do things you enjoy.

All adults, 45 years of age and older, should be tested for diabetes. If you have one of the warning signs of high blood glucose, see your heal care provider as soon as possible.

High Blood Glucose Warnings

Check any warning signs that you have:

  • Constant thirst or hunger

  • Need to urinate often

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Dry, itchy skin

  • Blurry vision

  • Numb or tingling hands or feet

  • Frequent infections that take longer to heal.

If you checked any of the warning signs, contact your doctor right away. You may not have diabetes, but you need to be tested to find out for sure.

For more information, call the American Diabetes Association: 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or check their Web site at www.diabetes.org

Footnotes

1. La versión en español de este folleto es Vida Saludable: Los Síntomas de Diabetes (FCS8577-Span). This leaflet, FCS8577, was developed with funding from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in partnership with state, county, and local agencies. First published: April 2000. Revised: August 2006. Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

2. Linda B. Bobroff, PhD, RD, LD/N, professor, Foods and Nutrition, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.