Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Early screening and detection can help prevent long-term complications and improve overall health outcomes.
Risk Factors:
Individuals with the following risk factors are encouraged to undergo diabetes screening:
- Age 45 or older
- Overweight or obesity
- Family history of diabetes
- Physical inactivity (exercising fewer than three times a week)
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Chronic conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- History of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds
- Members of high-risk ethnic groups, including African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander populations
Symptoms:
Diabetes can often develop silently, but some individuals may notice warning signs such as:
- Frequent urination
- Intense thirst or hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or bruises
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Screening:
Initially, a consultation and evaluation is done with your primary care provider to assess if you have diabetes.
If diagnosed, diabetes management and treatment can include finger prick tests or a series of blood tests to check levels of blood sugar (glucose), protein antibodies, and more.
Additional treatment is done through education and counseling. ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s Diabetes Center offers the most advanced care to Long Islanders with diabetes. Our nationally recognized program includes board-certified endocrinologists, certified diabetes care and education specialists, and clinical nutritionists who work collaboratively to provide patient-centered education, clinical consultation and counseling to patients throughout their journey with diabetes.