Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It can affect millions in the UK and many more could be living with the condition without realising
Diabetes is a severe typically lifelong condition that results in excessively high blood sugar levels.
Over 4.4 million people in the UK are affected by this chronic disease, but many more could be unknowingly living with it. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown. However, the far more prevalent type 2 diabetes is often associated with factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity, although it can also be hereditary.
Recognising the symptoms of diabetes early on allows for prompt medical intervention. While there’s no cure for diabetes, treatments are available to alleviate symptoms. Hence, being aware of potential warning signs is crucial. One common symptom of diabetes could easily be mistaken as merely an effect of hot weather.
Health organisations like the NHS identify excessive thirst as a red flag for diabetes, affecting both type 1 and type 2 patients, reports the Express. This symptom arises due to the accumulation of extra glucose in the blood, explains the US-based Mayo Clinic. Consequently, the kidneys have to work harder to filter and absorb the surplus sugar.
If the kidneys can’t keep up, the excess sugar ends up in the urine, drawing fluids from the body’s tissues, leading to dehydration and thirst. High sugar levels in the urine caused by diabetes could also result in sweet or fruity-smelling urine. Excessive sugar can often lead to dehydration, prompting the individual to consume more water and subsequently urinate more frequently.
The NHS has issued a warning that “many people” are living with type 2 diabetes without being aware of it due to the lack of noticeable symptoms.
Other signs of diabetes to be vigilant for include:
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult your GP. Certain factors can heighten your risk of diabetes, such as:
- Are over 40 years old, or over 25 if you’re from an Asian, Black African or Black Caribbean ethnic background
- Have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
- Are overweight or living with obesity or are not very physically active
- Are from an Asian, Black African or Black Caribbean ethnic background.
You can utilise the Know Your Risk online tool from Diabetes UK to assess your likelihood of developing diabetes. However, a blood test is the only definitive way to confirm this.
