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.

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?
  • How well do you sleep?

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?

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerDavid C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology

Current as ofMarch 21, 2017