Newswise — More than 25 million children and adults in the United States — 8.3% of the population — have diabetes and another 79 million are at risk of developing the disease. Adults with diabetes are at a greater risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, suffering a stroke or developing other serious health problems.
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of the symptoms seem harmless. Early detection of symptoms and treatment is essential in order to decrease a patient’s chances of developing further complications.
Symptoms of diabetes include:
Type 1 Diabetes• Frequent urination• Unusual thirst• Extreme hunger• Unusual weight loss• Extreme fatigue and Irritability
Type 2 Diabetes• Any of the type 1 symptoms• Frequent infections• Blurred vision• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
Sharon Gutman, RD, LD, CDE has been a certified diabetes educator for the past 21 years and a registered dietitian for 34 years. She completed her internship in dietetics at St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Science in technology with a major in food and nutrition from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She is the past president of the Toledo chapter of The American Association of Diabetes Educators. Gutman currently practices as a certified diabetes educator, registered dietitian and as the supervisor for the ProMedica Diabetes and Nutrition Education Care Centers. For more information, visit www.promedica.org.
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