Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to increased risk of heart disease, nerve damage and foot problems.
For this reason spotting it early and learning how to manage blood glucose levels effectively can be life-saving.
Type 2 diabetes – which affects 90 per cent of those with diabetes – has a set of signs you can look out for.
Common symptoms, according to the NHS, include feeling very thirsty, tiredness and urinating more frequently.
But there are other lesser known signs that could lead to a quicker diagnosis.
Four to look out for, according to the NHS, include:
– Unexplained weight loss
– Itching around the penis or vagina
– Cuts or wounds that are slow to heal
These symptoms happen because some or all of the glucose – or sugar – stays in your blood and isn’t used as fuel for energy.
When the body tries to get rid of excess glucose via urine, the signs of diabetes can occur.
Unlike type 1 diabetes symptoms, signs for type 2 aren’t always obvious and may appear gradually over a number of years.
Often diabetes is spotted during a routine check up, however if you are concerned you may have diabetes you should see your doctor.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a normal blood glucose level, or because the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced, known as insulin resistance.
There are several risk factors for the condition.
These include age, with people over the age of 40 years more likely to be diagnosed.
Additionally genetics, and being overweight, can also increase your chances.