Diabetes is a common condition that affects almost four million people in the UK. Around 90 per cent of all cases are caused by type 2 diabetes.
The condition is caused by the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin.
Without enough insulin, the body struggles to convert sugar in the blood into useable energy.
You could reveal whether you’re at risk of the condition by smelling your wee when using the toilet.
Diabetes type 2 patients are more likely to have fruity-smelling urine, according to The Diabetes Council.
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It’s caused by a build up of sugars in the blood. The excess sugar is ejected from the body via the kidneys, it said.
That can add a very sweet smell to patients’ urine. If your urine smells fruity, you should see a doctor, it warned.
“Fruity smelling or sweet-smelling urine could signify that you need to be tested for diabetes, especially when accompanied by frequent and excessive urination,” said The Diabetes Council.
“High blood sugars will cause excessive urination, and a fruity odour to the urine.
“For people with diabetes who have a fruity odour to their urine, it probably means that your blood sugars are not in your target range, and are too high.
“High blood sugars in people with diabetes have to go somewhere, in which case they head out the body via the kidneys.
“Not only does a fruity-smelling urine clue us in to the likelihood that we may have diabetes, but diabetes, if not well controlled, can be extremely tough on the kidneys, eventually causing them to fail.”
Smelly urine doesn’t necessarily mean someone has diabetes, however. It’s usually not a case for concern, said the NHS.
Common causes of smelly wee include eating certain foods, like asparagus, or simply being dehydrated.
Vitamin B6 supplements and some other medications could also be causing your urine to smell a bit funky.
A number of people have diabetes without even knowing it, because the symptoms don’t necessarily make people feel unwell.
Diabetes type 2 symptoms include passing more urine than normal, feeling thirsty all the time, or having cuts or wounds that take longer to heal than normal.
The people most at risk of the condition include those that are overweight, are over 40 years old, or have a close relative with diabetes.
Speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the signs and symptoms of diabetes, said the NHS.
Diagnosing the condition early is crucial, as patients are more at risk of some deadly complications, including heart disease.