Medical History for Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms
If your doctor suspects that you have
type 2 diabetes, he or she will ask about possible
symptoms.
- Have you had symptoms of diabetes, such as
increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, or blurred
vision?
- How long have you had symptoms?
- Has your
appetite increased lately?
- Have you recently lost or gained
weight?
Family and medical history
The doctor will also ask about your family and medical
history.
- Does your family have a history of type 2
diabetes or heart disease?
- Have you ever had
gestational diabetes (diabetes that developed during pregnancy) or delivered a baby that weighed
more than 9 lb (4 kg)?
- What medicines are you taking?
- Have you
ever been admitted to the hospital or had any surgery?
- Have you
been diagnosed with
high blood pressure (hypertension),
high cholesterol, or both?
- Have you been
diagnosed with
polycystic ovary syndrome?
Lifestyle
You will also be asked questions about your lifestyle.
- Do you have any lifestyle, cultural, social, or
financial factors that could affect your participation in treatment for
diabetes?
- What is your typical diet? What are your eating habits
and patterns?
- Do you exercise regularly? What kind of exercise do
you do?
- Do you drink alcohol? How often and how much do you
drink?
- Do you smoke or have you ever smoked cigarettes?
Complications of diabetes
Your doctor will also ask about possible signs of
complications, such as:
- Eye problems. Have you had any problems with
double or blurred vision or seeing flashes of light; seeing large, floating red
or black spots; or seeing large areas that look like floating hair, cotton
fibers, or spiderwebs? When was the last time you had an eye
exam?
- Nerve damage. Do you have any numbness, tingling, or
pain in your hands, legs, or feet?
- Kidney problems. Have you had
any kidney problems in the past?
- Blood vessel disease. Have you had
any heart or blood vessel problems in your legs? Have you had chest pain or
shortness or breath?
- Sexual problems. Have you had any sexual
difficulties lately?
- Persistent infections or slow-healing wounds.
Have you had any skin, feet, vaginal, or urinary tract infections
lately?
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism |
| Last Revised | July 1, 2011 |