How long can you have diabetes without knowing?

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days. Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general.
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Can you have diabetes for a long time without knowing?

People with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms at first. They may not have symptoms for many years. According to Medlineplus.gov, early symptoms of diabetes caused by a high blood sugar level may include: Bladder, kidney, skin, or other infections that are more frequent or heal slowly.
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How long can you last with untreated diabetes?

A 55-year-old male with type 2 diabetes could expect to live for another 13.2–21.1 years, while the general expectancy would be another 24.7 years. A 75-year-old male with the disease might expect to live for another 4.3–9.6 years, compared with the general expectancy of another 10 years.
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Can you be diabetic and not Realise?

Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: peeing more than usual, particularly at night.
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What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

The three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes include:
  • Increased thirst (polydipsia) High blood sugar levels cause increased thirst.
  • Increased urination (polyuria) Needing to urinate more throughout the day. Urinating more often than usual at night.
  • Increased hunger (polyphagia)
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Diabetes symptoms | Signs of all types of diabetes | Diabetes UK



What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

Early signs and symptoms of diabetes
  • Frequent urination. When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. ...
  • Increased thirst. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Blurred vision. ...
  • Increased hunger. ...
  • Unexplained weight loss. ...
  • Slow healing cuts and wounds. ...
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
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What does diabetic urine look like?

Diabetes can cause cloudy urine when too much sugar builds up in your urine. Your urine may also smell sweet or fruity. Diabetes can also lead to kidney complications or increase risk of infections of the urinary tract, both of which can also make your urine appear cloudy.
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What are the first signs of being a diabetic?

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, causes many of the warning signs of diabetes listed above, including:
  • Heavy thirst.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Peeing a lot.
  • More hunger.
  • Numb or tingling feet.
  • Fatigue.
  • Sugar in your urine.
  • Weight loss.
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What are signs of being pre diabetic?

Prediabetes doesn't usually have any signs or symptoms. One possible sign of prediabetes is darkened skin on certain parts of the body.
...
Symptoms
  • Increased thirst.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Increased hunger.
  • Fatigue.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.
  • Frequent infections.
  • Slow-healing sores.
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What does untreated diabetes feel like?

Among the signs and symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes are: Extreme fatigue. Frequent urination. Excessive thirst or hunger.
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What happens if diabetes goes undiagnosed?

The Dangers of Undiagnosed Diabetes

That damage can include: A significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and narrowing of the arteries. Nerve damage, which is also called neuropathy, which causes tingling, numbness, burning sensation, and pain.
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How long one can live with diabetes?

The combined diabetic life expectancy is 74.64 years—comparable to the life expectancy in the general population.
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Is type 2 diabetes a death sentence?

The diagnosis of diabetes is NOT a death sentence. Terrible outcomes, like blindness, amputations and kidney problems, are largely preventable. Thanks to modern medicine, people developing diabetes today have an excellent chance of living long, healthy lives, free from serious complications.
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How do you feel when you have diabetes?

The early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
  1. Frequent urination. ...
  2. Increased thirst. ...
  3. Always feeling hungry. ...
  4. Feeling very tired. ...
  5. Blurry vision. ...
  6. Slow healing of cuts and wounds. ...
  7. Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet. ...
  8. Patches of dark skin.
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How long can you live with type 1 diabetes without knowing?

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). This reaction destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells. This process can go on for months or years before any symptoms appear.
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How long does it take for prediabetes to turn into diabetes?

Without intervention, many people with prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years, which puts them at risk of serious health problems, including: Heart attack.
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Can prediabetes go away?

Yes, prediabetes can be reversed. The most effective way to reverse prediabetes, or return to normal blood sugar levels, is to focus on exercise, healthy eating, and losing weight. Some medications may also work to stop prediabetes becoming diabetes, but none have been approved by the FDA.
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Is diabetes reversible in early stages?

But experts say diabetes can be reversed early on. “If you follow the advice of your doctors and nutritionist and make an effort to lose weight, diabetes can be reversed by normalizing your blood sugar levels without medication early in the course of the disease, that is the first three to five years,” Dr.
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Can diabetes start suddenly?

In people with type 1 diabetes, the onset of symptoms can be very sudden, while in type 2 diabetes, they tend to come about more gradually, and sometimes there are no signs at all. Symptoms sometimes occur after a viral illness.
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What are the first warning signs of type 2 diabetes?

Early Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
  • More thirst. When sugar builds up in your blood, your kidneys work overtime to get rid of it. ...
  • More hunger. ...
  • Peeing often. ...
  • Dry mouth. ...
  • Weight loss without trying. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Blurry vision. ...
  • Headaches.
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How many times does a diabetic urinate?

Most people urinate four to seven times in a day. If you are making more trips to the bathroom, especially waking multiple times at night to go, it may be a sign that your kidneys are working overtime to flush out excess sugar in your blood.
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Do diabetics smell?

The fat-burning process creates a buildup of acids in your blood called ketones, which leads to DKA if untreated. Fruity-smelling breath is a sign of high levels of ketones in someone who already has diabetes. It's also one of the first symptoms that doctors look for when they check for DKA.
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Can you tell if you have diabetes without a blood test?

A finger prick test using a home testing kit may show you have high blood sugar levels but won't confirm you have diabetes. A normal blood test result will show you don't have diabetes. But the result will also show if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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What is silent diabetes?

“Diabetes starts as a silent disease, advancing painlessly, almost imperceptibly,” says Dr. Ferrer, who sees 25 to 30 diabetic patients per week. “It mainly attacks the small blood vessels, damaging the kidneys, eyes, and nerves.” It can also affect larger blood vessels.
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What are the 7 warning signs of diabetes?

The Signs of Type 2 Diabetes Everyone should Recognize
  • 1) Frequent Urination. ...
  • 2) Increased Thirst or Dry Mouth. ...
  • 3) Unexpected Weight Loss. ...
  • 4) Persistent Hunger. ...
  • 5) Foot Pain and Numbness. ...
  • 6) Frequent Infections and Feminine Health Issues. ...
  • 7) Blurred Vision.
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