While diabetes is very prevalent in the U.S.—the American Diabetes Association claims more than 9-percent of the population was diagnosed with the disease as of 2012—there are warning signs you can watch for.
“Prediabetes,” as it’s known, is when your fasting blood glucose levels are elevated but not yet at the point where full-blown diabetes can be diagnosed. According to the association, in 2012 prediabetes was found in 86 million Americans over the age of 20. This is a significant jump from 79 million just 2-years prior. Here are 12 common signs of prediabetes that aren’t so sweet, but can be turned around with the right measures…
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Darkened Skin
The Mayo Clinic said that while prediabetes doesn’t always have obvious signs, one possible risk factor for type 2 diabetes is darkened patches of skin on the neck and joints. This condition is referred to as acanthosis nigricans.
The clinic said the darkened skin can also become thicker than normal. In some cases, this condition can also be a warning sign of a cancerous tumor of an internal organ, so have your doctor check you out either way.