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Chances are you know someone with diabetes. "37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population, had diabetes" in 2019, according to the American Diabetes Association and "Nearly 1.9 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, including about 244,000 children and adolescents." In addition, "Of the 37.3 million adults with diabetes, 28.7 million were diagnosed, and 8.5 million were undiagnosed." Often signs of diabetes are missed, but  Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell , Urgent Care Medical Director and Physician, Carbon Health, and Saint Mary's Hospital tells Eat This, Not That! Health, symptoms to watch out for and how to help prevent diabetes. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID .

1 Why is Diabetes Commonly Undiagnosed?

Dr. Curry-Winchell explains, "Diabetes is associated with a variety of symptoms such as an increase in thirst, changes in vision, and fatigue which can make it difficult to consider you might have diabetes. My patients often report seeing the eye doctor or thinking they need to get their vision checked or often associate the fatigue with an inadequate amount of sleep."  

2 What Can Happen if Diabetes is Untreated

"Because diabetes affects so many organs in the body, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as permanent vision loss, heart disease, and long-term kidney disease," Dr. Curry-Winchell says.

According to the Mayo Clinic , "Long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually. The longer you have diabetes — and the less controlled your blood sugar — the higher the risk of complications. Eventually, diabetes complications may be disabling or even life-threatening. Possible complications include:

3 Who is at Risk for Diabetes?

Dr. Curry-Winchell states, "All ages are at risk for diabetes. The disease can affect anyone and if left untreated or not controlled, can lead to serious complications that can affect your quality of life." 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

4 How to Help Prevent Diabetes

Dr. Curry-Winchell explains, "There are two types of diabetes and it's important to highlight that you can't prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes. Although scientists have discovered possible connections that may be the cause, research is ongoing to find the exact cause at this time.   For type 2 diabetes, mild to moderate exercise such as taking a walk and lifting weights like traditional dumbbells a couple of days a week and eating a diet that is balanced but also sustainable can help prevent diabetes."

The Mayo Clinic states, "Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. However, the same healthy lifestyle choices that help treat prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes can also help prevent them:

"If you notice you are drinking more fluids and it's not associated with increased activity or exercise — this could be a sign of diabetes," says Dr. Curry-Winchell.

Your body is responding to an increase in blood sugar (glucose) circulating in your bloodstream. To decrease the amount of glucose, your kidneys increase the amount of time you need to urinate — which means more trips to the restroom and increased water intake as your body attempts to replenish itself."

According to Dr. Curry-Winchell, "Vision changes like blurry vision due to high levels of glucose causes blood vessels in your eye to increase in size (swell) and become friable causing leakage."  

Dr. Curry-Winchell explains, "Although you would think the increase in glucose should lead to more energy, it's the exact opposite. The increased sugar is not being used, instead it's circulating in the blood therefore your organs like your brain are not able to use it."  

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