Understanding Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

November is National Diabetes Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about this chronic condition affecting many Arizonans and their families – and the support available. You may have prediabetes or diabetes and not even know it. Let’s explore the signs and symptoms you should look out for.

Type 1 diabetes

With type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce or make enough insulin to move sugar into your cells for energy. Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented but it can be treated and managed.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

When you first develop type 1 diabetes, you may have no symptoms. But talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing the following:

• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Weight loss – even though you are eating more

Prediabetes

With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The good news is - changes in diet and physical activity, combined with weight loss if you are overweight, can reverse prediabetes and progression to diabetes.

Prediabetes risk factors

Most people with prediabetes don’t have any clear symptoms. But you should talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any risk factors for prediabetes, including:

• Being overweight
• Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
• Being physically active less than 3 times a week
• Ever having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells are unable to react to insulin properly. Healthy lifestyle changes like nutrition, physical activity, and weight management can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms

There’s a lot of overlap with type 1 diabetes symptoms, but there are some differences:

• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Weight loss – even though you are eating more
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet

Find out if you’re at risk in 60 seconds

Take 60 seconds to see if you’re at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider and take charge of your health!

AZ Blue is here to help

Qualifying AZ Blue members living with diabetes can take advantage of our Health Management Program for extra support and guidance at no additional cost. Right now, this program is provided to federal employees and some AZ Blue members with employee-sponsored health insurance: Health Management Program | AZ Blue.

For more diabetes information and resources, visit: Diabetes | AZBlue.