3. Type 2 diabetes
More than 23 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but an additional 7.2 million people may not even realize that they have it, according to research from the CDC. Sugar, also called glucose, is the fuel that keeps your body going. And that means trouble for people with type 2 diabetes who can’t use glucose properly, causing it to build up in the blood. Without enough energy to keep the body running smoothly, people with diabetes often notice fatigue as one of the first warning signs, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Aside from feeling tired all the time, other signs of type 2 diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, hunger, weight loss, irritability, yeast infections, and blurred vision.
There are two major tests for type 2 diabetes. The A1C test, which is most common, shows your average blood sugar level over the course of a few months. The fasting plasma glucose test measures your blood glucose level after fasting for eight hours.
There is no cure for diabetes. Your doctor will advise you on how to control your symptoms through diet changes, oral medications, and/or insulin.
4. Depression
More than “the blues,” depression is a major illness that affects the way we sleep, eat, and feel about ourselves and others. Without treatment, the symptoms of depression may last for weeks, months, or even years.
We don’t all experience depression in the same way. But commonly, depression can cause decreased energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, problems with memory and concentration, and feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and negativity.
There’s no blood test for depression, but your doctor may be able to identify it by asking you a series of questions. If you experience five or more of these symptoms below for more than two weeks, or if they interfere with your life, see your doctor or mental health professional: fatigue or loss of energy; sleeping too little or too much; a persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood; reduced appetite and weight loss; increased appetite and weight gain; loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed; restlessness or irritability; persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment, such as headaches, chronic pain, or constipation and other digestive disorders; difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless; thoughts of death or suicide.
As far as treatments are concerned, most people who struggle with depression are able to manage it through a combination of talk therapy and medication.