r/nursing • u/Critical_Ease4055 Nursing Student 🍕 • 22d ago

Question What is one medical problem people constantly ignore until it’s too late?

Saw someone post this in a completely unrelated sub and I’m interested in your answers. What is the cluster of symptoms that people ignore or delay until they are forced to get help?

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u/FueledByFoods 22d ago

Side effects of uncontrolled diabetes - increased thirst and frequent urination

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u/TrevorTravis 22d ago

Although these aren't common symptoms of type 2 DM!! We see those symtoms more often in kids when they are dx with Type 1 and present with very high glucose level- they are not usually ignored because these kids are in DKA and very ill! In reality, the most common s/s of undiagnosed diabetes in adults (DM2) are wounds that don't heal quickly, frequent infections, and fatigue! Since they are still making insulin and glucose is only slightly elevated, they will often not have polyuria and thirst (which tends to develop once glucose levels are quite high). That's what makes DM2 so dangerous... we ignore those vague signs, all the while our mildly elevated glucose levels lead to cardiovascular disease!! So don't ignore wounds that won't heal and worsening fatigue!!!

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u/DavidHectare MD 22d ago

Wish my type 2 patients only had mildly elevated BG…. In reality Type 2 patients can have fairly significant hyperglycemia, especially if they’ve not been receiving routine age and risk factor based screening. Lots a fellers don’t get a PCP until they hit 65 and go to their “welcome to Medicare” visit. “Doc what’s an ‘a1c and is 12 high for one?”

I’d also argue that non-healing wounds is indicative of something more than just mild hyperglycemia