Could Diabetes Sneak Up On Me?

Can diabetes sneak up on me?

Yes. Diabetes can develop silently over many years, especially type 2 diabetes. Many people don't know they have diabetes until they develop serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness or kidney failure.

Early diagnosis is important, so it's a good idea to get your blood sugar tested if you have any risk factors for diabetes, such as:

- Overweight or obesity—people who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes

- Family history of diabetes—if you have a parent or sibling with diabetes, you're more likely to develop diabetes

- Physical inactivity—lack of exercise increases the risk of diabetes

- High blood pressure—hypertension is a major risk factor for diabetes

- High cholesterol—high LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) and low HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) increase the risk of diabetes

- Prediabetes—this condition means that your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough for diabetes

- Polycystic ovary syndrome—this hormonal condition in women is associated with an increased risk of diabetes

If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested.

Here are some other things that can increase your risk of developing diabetes:

- Age—older adults are more likely to develop diabetes

- Race—African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans are more likely to develop diabetes

- Having certain medical conditions—such as HIV/AIDS, hypothyroidism, or a history of gestational diabetes

- Smoking—smoking cigarettes is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes

- Drinking too much alcohol—heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of diabetes

If you're concerned about your risk of diabetes, talk to your doctor. They can recommend lifestyle changes to help you prevent diabetes or catch it early if it does develop.

Here are some tips for preventing diabetes:

- Lose weight if you're overweight or obese—even losing a small amount of weight can help lower your risk

- Get regular exercise—aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week

- Eat a healthy diet—focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins

- Quit smoking

- Limit alcohol intake

- Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol.