If your hands and belly show these signs, you may be suffering from diebetes without realizing it

Diabetes often sneaks up quietly — and many people live with it for months or even years without knowing. But doctors warn: your hands and belly might be showing subtle signs long before a diagnosis.

Here’s what to watch for:

🖐️ In Your Hands:

1. Tingling or Numbness in Fingers
   This could be a sign of diabetic neuropathy — nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels over time.

2. Swollen or Puffy Hands
   Fluid retention and poor circulation can be early indicators of insulin resistance.

3. Dark, Velvety Patches on Knuckles
   This skin change, known as acanthosis nigricans, is often linked to high insulin levels — a red flag for prediabetes.

🍩 Around Your Belly:

4. Weight Gain Around the Midsection
   Abdominal fat is closely tied to insulin resistance, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

5. Skin Tags or Dark Skin Folds
   These can form around the stomach area and may indicate elevated blood sugar levels.

6. Unexplained Itchiness or Dryness
   Especially near the waistline or lower belly — high glucose levels can damage small blood vessels and affect skin hydration.

7. Slow-Healing Cuts or Bruises
   If minor wounds on your abdomen take longer to heal, it might be a sign your blood sugar is interfering with circulation and immune response.