Dr Amir lists diabetes symptoms
Diabetes is a life-altering condition that causes your blood sugar levels to become too high.
There are two types of diabetes, with type 2 being far more common than type 1.
Affecting around 90 percent of all diabetes patients, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly.
It is often caused by being overweight or inactive – although it can also run in families.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. But it is not known exactly what triggers it.
Symptoms for both type 1 and type 2 are typically the same, although they may develop more slowly if you have type 2.
A pharmacist has warned of one common sign of the condition to look out for that could be easily mistaken for the effects of hot weather.
According to George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, “extreme thirst” is a symptom of diabetes that should be investigated.
You might become much more thirsty “compared to what is normal for you”, he warned.
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This is also a sign of heat stroke and/or dehydration.
Other symptoms of diabetes he shared include tiredness and excessive need to urinate.
An excessive need to urinate would be one clue that symptoms could be caused by diabetes rather than dehydration.
Mr Sandhu explained what to do if you are concerned that you could have diabetes, or are at risk of developing the condition.
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“If you’re concerned that you might be at risk of type 2 diabetes, or want to know more about the signs and symptoms or some advice on how to reduce your risk, you can speak to your local community pharmacist,” he said.
“A lot of people don’t realise that many cases of type 2 diabetes are avoidable with a healthy lifestyle, unlike type 1 diabetes which has nothing to do with lifestyle.
“Losing weight and getting more exercise if you are overweight or inactive could really reduce your chances of developing the condition, as could sticking to a healthy diet.
“If you would like some advice on how to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes or are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, pop in and speak to your local community pharmacist.”
The NHS lists common symptoms of diabetes as:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling very tired
- Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- Blurred vision.
If you experience any of these symptoms it urges you to speak to your doctor “as soon as possible”.
The health body adds: “Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
“Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it’s treated, but it’s less common in people with type 2 diabetes.
“Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general, or there are no symptoms at all.”
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