1 week Ago By [email protected] (Kate Lally)
An estimated 5.6 million people in the UK have diabetes - and more than a million of these are thought to be undiagnosed, according to Diabetes UK. The charity adds that those with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes are "more likely to report better general health than those with a diagnosis".
And that women "were more likely to be undiagnosed if they had a lower body mass index (BMI), lower waist circumference, or were not prescribed antidepressants", as per its research. Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented. As stated by the NHS , type 2 diabetes can lead to severe health complications, including heart disease and stroke.
Both types of diabetes can lead to an accumulation of sugar in the blood, and prolonged high blood sugar levels can cause lasting damage to vital organs such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and blood vessels. Among the common symptoms of high blood sugar, hyperglycaemia, are two signs that show up in the mouth - "fruity" smelling breath, and a dry mouth. Other symptoms may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, and unintentional weight loss.
The NHS also identifies abdominal pain and recurring infections, such as thrush, cystitis, and skin infections, as potential symptoms. As the symptoms of hyperglycaemia can also be indicative of undiagnosed diabetes, the NHS recommends consulting a GP if this applies to you, as many individuals with type 2 diabetes remain undiagnosed for years due to the nonspecific nature of early symptoms, reports the Liverpool Echo ..
