According to current estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 7.2 million people in the United States are living with undetected Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, many more people have “pre diabetes”, meaning they are likely to develop the disease within five years without treatment, but most of them don’t know it.

With early detection and treatment, Type 2 diabetes can be managed so that more serious complications do not occur. In some cases the progression of the disease can actually be reversed! If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss your concerns.

Weight loss. Many people would celebrate weight loss, but it can be a sign of serious problems if you weren’t actually trying to lose weight! This happens because the cells of your body aren’t getting enough glucose to sustain them, and also due to loss of water weight through excess urination.

You feel hungry all the time. Since your body’s cells aren’t getting enough glucose, you consistently feel hungry.

Frequent urination. You might notice a sudden change in your bathroom habits, even though you’re not drinking more fluids than usual.

Increased thirst or dry mouth. As your body continues to flush out excess glucose, you might become unusually thirsty or develop “cotton mouth”.

Blurred vision. Oddly, high blood sugar levels can even affect your vision. The lens has trouble bending and focusing, so you might experience temporary blurred vision as your eye muscles adjust to blood sugar fluctuations.

Foot pain or numbness. This could be a sign of nerve damage. It will usually start in the feet and progress upward.

Frequent infections for no apparent reason. When blood sugar levels are elevated, both yeast and bacteria can multiply more quickly. Various bacterial infections and yeast infections can be the result.

Again, if you notice any of the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Prompt detection can lead to successful management of your symptoms, or even a reversal of the disease.