For some people, they don’t even know they have it until its too late. “The concern with Type 2 Diabetes is you can actually have this condition for, its estimated, 7 to 10 years, prior to the actual diagnosis, ” says Sharon Krispinsky, Certified Nurse Diabetes Coordinator for Lee Memorial Health System. 

Sometimes the symptoms are clear cut. “Drinking more, urinating more, may feel tired, may have numbness, burning, tingling in feet or hands,” explains Krispinsky. Other times, they’re not. “They may have an infection that may be difficult to treat such as a urinary tract infection. For females, a vaginal infection, but those are some of the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes,” suggests Krispinsky.

While the diagnosis can sometimes come as a shock, it is manageable. There are even classes specifically designed to help out. “Meal planning, exercise management, your medication, complications of diabetes and most importantly how to prevent those complications,” adds Krispinsky.

Sometimes patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes have no symptoms at all. That’s why it’s important to have glucose levels checked during your annual exam with your physician.