During November, Diabetes Awareness Month, and as we approach this holiday season, give yourself the gift of health by knowing your diabetes status.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose levels are too high. It can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer. If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye damage.

The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.

Common symptoms of diabetes:

Urinating often

Feeling very thirsty

Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating

Extreme fatigue

Blurry vision

Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal

Weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1)

Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes.

Small changes lead to big results.

Overweight? Know the impact.

If you have overweight or obesity, it impacts more than your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It leads to unhealthy cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, high blood glucose and stroke. The good news? Losing just 10-15 pounds can make a big difference.

Need reasons to quit?

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your organs and can cause high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes.

High blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, you’re not alone; it affects nearly one in three American adults. You may need medication to get it under control.