Could You Have Diabetes And Not Even Know It?

Could you have diabetes and not even know it? Research performed by researchers at the University of Veracrus (UV) in the east coast of Mexico found that the lifestyle choices of many young people between the ages of 17 and 24 put them at a greater risk for developing such diseases as diabetes mellitus; this might include lack of physical activity, mild psychological stress and skipping out on breakfast.

Findings revealed that close to 8 million Americans are actually unaware that they have diabetes.

Furthermore, for those diagnosed with diabetes, only about one-quarter met three of their important goals: properly managing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

"Out of 28.4 million people with diabetes, more than a quarter don't know [it]," said study author Dr. Mohammed Ali, an assistant professor of public health at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, via U.S. News and World Report, Health. "About 80 percent of those people are linked to a health care provider, and two-thirds are seeing them twice a year or more. So, through whatever means, they aren't being identified with diabetes."

Type 2 diabetes is referred to as a disorder that causes the body to use the hormone insulin inefficiently, restricting sugar from food into fuel for the body's cells. The cells then become insulin-resistant and sugar can't move into the cells, staying locked in the blood stream, raising blood sugar levels.

Though symptoms are often subtle and slow, they can include fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts and scrapes or frequent urination. Untreated diabetes can lead to severe complications and health issues that can sometimes even result in amputation or death.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to prevent this health issue or make it better if you're dealing with it now. Regular exercise, mediation and a healthy diet can help to relieve stress and lower glucose levels, even in individuals that may be genetically predisposed to diabetic conditions.

"Although we know that there are people genetically predisposed to develop diseases such as diabetes, improving food culture as habits of the students is an option that would contribute to stopping the development of the disease," concluded researchers, in a news release.