Right here in T&T, approximately 180,000 people are living with Diabetes. What is even more troubling is that it is estimated that a further 180,000 maybe missing the signs and are living with this preventable lifestyle disease. Could you or a loved one be one of them?

Do any of these symptoms seem familiar?

Symptoms of type 1 Diabetes are serious and usually happen quickly, over a few days to weeks. In type 2 Diabetes, they tend to come about more gradually, and sometimes there are no signs at all. It’s no wonder Type 2 is the most prevalent as is it is often overlooked and not diagnosed until a more obvious Diabetes-related health complication, such as blurred vision or heart disease causes an urgent visit to the doctor’s office. 

Spot the signs. Kids get Diabetes too.

In addition to the common symptoms listed above, look out for the following in your child. 

  • Potty-trained but suddenly starts having accidents and wetting the bed again 
  • Yeast infection in a prepubescent girl  
  • Stomach aches 
  • Headaches 
  • Mood changes 

Why you shouldn’t ignore the signs.

If you think that you can self-diagnose, self-treat and adopt a “wait and see if it gets better” approach, you can be setting yourself up for serious health problems, including diabetic ketoacidosis, which can result in a potentially fatal coma. Diabetes complications also impact your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys and even cause loss of limbs.

If you spot any of the symptoms of Diabetes, it doesn’t automatically mean you have Diabetes, but early diagnosis, treatment and monitoring are key in the prevention of developing serious complications. ACT NOW! Set up an appointment with your doctor.  

Remember, Diabetes is not a death sentence. Thanks to constant developments in research and treatment, people with Diabetes have a positive outlook and live long, healthy and happy lives.

Sources:

Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT) 

American Diabetes Association 

diabetes.org.uk

niddk.nih.gov

healthline.com