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Diabetes: 7 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

opera.com 2 days ago

Diabetes, often called the "silent killer," is a significant health concern affecting millions worldwide. In the US, over 29 million people live with diabetes, with millions more remaining undiagnosed. This chronic condition primarily impacts blood sugar levels, with type 2 diabetes, linked to lifestyle factors like obesity and inactivity, being the most prevalent form as reported by The Mirror, US.

Alarmingly, 8.7 million of the 38.4 million adults with diabetes in the US remain undiagnosed, highlighting the importance of early detection. Additionally, 97.6 million Americans aged 18 and older have prediabetes, a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that may progress to type 2 diabetes.

Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes is crucial for timely intervention and management. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) advises seeking medical attention if you experience any of the following:

 * Frequent urination: Experiencing an unusually strong urge to urinate more often than usual.

 * Increased thirst: Feeling excessively thirsty, even after drinking fluids.

 * Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without any intentional dietary or exercise changes.

 * Extreme fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy.

 * Blurred vision: Experiencing temporary or persistent blurred vision.

 * Slow-healing sores: Wounds and cuts that take significantly longer to heal than normal.

 * Tingling or numbness in hands or feet: Experiencing sensations of pins and needles or loss of feeling in extremities.

Furthermore, certain skin conditions can also be indicative of diabetes. These include:

 * Bullosis diabeticorum: Painless blisters forming on the backs of hands and feet, often associated with diabetic neuropathy.

 * Diabetes dermopathy: Brownish patches of scaly skin on the shins, resembling age spots.

 * Digital sclerosis: Hardening and thickening of the skin on the back of the hands, common in type 1 diabetes.

 * Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD): Red, raised, and shiny patches of skin with a yellow center, typically affecting the lower legs.

The prevalence of diabetes is a major public health concern globally. In the UK, 4.3 million individuals have been diagnosed, while an estimated 850,000 remain undiagnosed. This underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and effective management strategies to combat this growing health crisis.

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