CASES of potentially deadly diabetes are on the rise, with millions of Brits thought to be at risk.
Figures show early-onset type 2 diabetes specifically, which used to be rare, is rising as more people become overweight and unfit.
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Diabetes UK warns cases could hit 200,000 by 2027 out of around five million patients in total.
While key symptoms usually include extreme thirst and an increased need to urinate, there could also be signs on your skin.
Diabetes is a serious condition in which the level of glucose in your body is too high.
There are two types, with the main difference being that type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition, and type 2 mainly being down to lifestyle choices.
But both are as serious as each other and can lead to life-threatening health complications.
Studies have shown that skin complications are often the first visible sign of diabetes.
With that in mind, it’s important to know how the illness could show up on your body.
Pharmacist Bruce Green said that diabetic skin can be similar to skin that has prematurely aged.
“The skin changing process is Glycation,” he said.
“This is a process where proteins and sugars are cross-linked to advanced glycation end products (age), and there is a negative impact on the elasticity of the skin, when collagen and elastin are stiffened.”
He explained that skin problems are more likely amongst diabetics because of reduced circulation and reduced sensitivity of nerves.
Bruce, who is the founder of diabetic skincare range SOS Serum Skincare, said there are six key warning signs you need to be aware of:
- Yellow or brown patches or bumps
- A darker area of skin that feels velvety particularly around the neck and armpit
- Hard-thickened patches of skin – particularly on fingers and toes
- The sudden appearance of blisters or groups of blisters
- Skin spots – small and barely noticeable depressions on the skin
- Extremely dry and itchy skin patches in particular on the arms, legs, elbows and feet.
However, these aren’t the only symptoms you need to know.
The NHS recommends that you see a doctor if you are feeling very thirsty, or peeing more frequently than usual – particularly at night.
Feeling very tired throughout the day (at work, for example), unintentional weight loss, itching around the penis or vagina, frequent episodes of thrush and blurred vision are also key warning signs.
How to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
According to Diabetes UK, there are a few diet tweaks you can make to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes:
- Choose drinks without added sugar – skip out the sugar in your tea and coffee and stay away from fizzy and energy drinks
- Eat whole grains such as brown rice, wholewheat pasta, wholemeal flour, wholegrain bread and oats instead of refined carbs
- Cut down on red and processed meat like bacon, ham, sausages, pork, beef and lamb
- Eat plenty of fruit and veg – apples, grapes, berries, and green leafy veg such as spinach, kale, watercress, and rocket have been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Have unsweetened yoghurt and cheese
- Cut down on booze – and have a few days a week with none at all
- Have healthy snacks like unsweetened yoghurt, unsalted nuts, seeds and fruit and veg
- Eat healthy fats included in nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil
- Cut down on salt
- Get your vitamins and minerals from food instead of tablets
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days, so it’s vital you get checked out early.
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.
The life-threatening condition is often triggered by poor lifestyle habits, like eating too much unhealthy food or not exercising and therefore being overweight.
But it also runs in families, with those with relatives with the condition at increased risk.
Your age, ethnicity, medication and blood pressure can also play a role.
Older people and those of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin are more likely to be diagnosed, for example.
ARE YOU AT RISK?
An estimated 1.2million people are currently living with type 2 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed.
More than 3.2million are thought to be at risk of developing the condition.
Every week, diabetes leads to 184 amputations, more than 930 strokes, 660 heart attacks and 2,990 cases of heart failure.
If not managed correctly, the condition can also lead to sight loss.
More than 700 people with diabetes die prematurely every week.
The NHS spends at least £10billion a year on diabetes – about 10 per cent of its entire budget.
Almost 80 per cent of the money goes towards treating complications.
In some hospitals, over a quarter of beds are used by people with diabetes.
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Type 1 vs type 2 diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, which causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce the hormone insulin.
It affects around 344,000 people in the UK.
Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is far more common, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the 4.4million adults with diabetes.
It occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to it properly.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
But you may be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese, eat unhealthily, have a family history of the condition, take certain medications for a long time, have high blood pressure, and have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
People of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin are also at increased risk.
Source: NHS and Diabetes UK
