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. Stony Brook Medicine’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.