Diabetes is a serious and life-changing health condition that causes your blood sugar levels to become too high. There are two types of diabetes, known simply as type 1 and type 2.
Although it is not exactly known what causes type 1 diabetes, type 2 is often linked to factors such as being overweight and not exercising enough. However, it can also run in families.
There is no cure for diabetes but there are treatments available to help ease symptoms and keep it under control. So catching any early warning signs of the condition is important.
It might actually be that you don’t have full-blown diabetes but pre-diabetes, where your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be. This means you are on track to develop type 2 diabetes.
Pre-diabetes is becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK, with almost 14 million adults now thought to be affected.
With this in mind, one expert spoke exclusively with Express.co.uk about how to spot any signs of pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Founder of ProLongevity, Graham Phillips – also known as “the pharmacist who gave up drugs”, said: “Spotting signs of prediabetes is the first and the most important stage of preventing diabetes.
“Acting on it is the next crucial stage and must be done in a way that’s bespoke to the individual’s needs.”
He shared two distinct and “lesser-known” symptoms of diabetes that should prompt a visit to your doctor.
These are:
- Wounds taking longer to heal
- Fruity-smelling breath.
Wounds taking longer to heal
If you notice a cut isn’t healing as quickly as it would usually it could mean your blood sugar levels are too high.
Graham said: “High blood sugar levels can affect your body’s ability to heal wounds.
“For people with diabetes, wounds tend to heal slower and progress quicker, so it’s important to know what to look out for.
“Cuts and grazes can occur anywhere on the body, but the feet are one of the most common places.
“Even a small wound on the foot can quickly develop into a foot ulcer, which can become serious if untreated.”
Fruity-smelling breath
Bad breath is unpleasant but specially fruity-smelling breath could be cause for concern.
“A sweet fruity odour can indicate high levels of ketones (ketoacidosis) – a complication of type 1 diabetes,” Graham said.
“However nutritional ketosis, which is perfectly normal and healthy, could cause the smell of ketones (acetone) on the breath too.”
However, the University of Maryland Medical System states that fruity-smelling breath is also a sign of type 2 diabetes but more common among type 1 patients.
Other diabetes symptoms to look for include:
- Urinating more than usual
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Blurred vision.
If you experience any symptoms you should speak to your doctor.
