Daily Checkup: Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in U.S. - NY Daily News

Daily Checkup: Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in U.S. - NY Daily News: One of the reasons such an emphasis is placed on screening is that many patients with diabetes have no idea they have it — and no red flags to alert them. “Unfortunately some patients don’t have symptoms at all until they start developing complications as the result of prolonged periods of elevated glucose,” says Albu. “Doctors want to work together with patients to avoid reaching that point.”

Once patients have developed diabetes, there can be some typical warning signs. “Often patients experience increased thirst and urination, and sometimes there can be blurred vision,” says Albu. “Some patients start losing weight without diet or exercise, but others experience weight gain — which is another reason we don’t like to rely on symptoms to make the diagnosis.”