5 Red Flags of Diabetes
Dizziness, fatigue and dry mouth may not seem to tie together beyond a mild case of the flu, but if you look at the warning signs of diabetes, they all make sense. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we regularly diagnose and treat prediabetes and diabetes and we can help fit the pieces of the puzzle together when you’re not feeling well.
Whether you are experiencing Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, by the time you notice the red flags, the condition may already be advanced. That’s why it is important to react promptly by getting medical attention.
Red Flag 1: Skin Changes
Prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes can cause skin changes.1 If you have noticed an unexplained rash, like raised pimples that turn yellow, or raised, red bumps, you might need to have your physician test you for diabetes. Dry patches of skin, yellow patches around the eyelids and skin tags are all diabetes indicators.
Skin wounds or sores that have trouble healing, blisters and shin spots are also signs that your insulin is imbalanced. Hard patches of skin, discolored patches of skin and dark, velvety patches of skin are also warning signs of diabetes.
“The skin is very telltale in letting you know that your body is experiencing insulin resistance,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “By paying attention to these warning signs, you can have your prediabetes checked before it goes too far.”
Red Flag 2: Increased Thirst, Urination and Hunger
If you find that you are constantly thirsty, but need to pee often during the day and night, you could have undiagnosed diabetes. Excess thirst, hunger and urination are all warning signs that should be reported to your physician. If you are hungry all the time but are experiencing unexpected weight loss, this is also a symptom of diabetes.2
Red Flag 3: Fatigue
“If you are tired even after having rested, and are too worn out to do your daily activities, you might need to have your blood sugar tested,” said Dr. Khan. “Fatigue can also be accompanied by irritability and dizziness. If you are feeling this way, come in to Medco ER and let us check you out to find the answers to your fatigue.”
Red Flag 4: Vision Changes
Any unusual vision changes, such as blurred vision, should be immediately checked out. Your ophthalmologist is able to identify early onset insulin issues if you have retinopathy, a condition of diabetes.3
Red Flag 5: Numbness
Numbness and tingling in the feet and hands can be a warning sign of the onset of diabetes.
Get help at Medco ER & Urgent Care
If you are experiencing any of these red flags, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care to have your blood sugar tested. Since undiagnosed insulin issues can lead to serious medical conditions, warning signs of diabetes should not be ignored. We’re here 24/7 to provide you with rapid results labs, an accurate diagnosis, and a variety of treatment options and recommendations to get you back to feeling better again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
1 https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/diabetes-warning-signs
2 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html
3 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy