Know your risk and be aware of diabetes symptoms

Posted by: CM - Posted on:

This Diabetes Week (9-15 June), people in the Black Country are being urged to look out for diabetes symptoms and take action to prevent themselves developing the condition.

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes, and the health implications can be serious and life changing.

Type 1 diabetes is a rarer form of the condition, which is caused by genetic or environmental factors, and can’t be prevented. Those with type 1 diabetes require regular insulin injections for
life to keep blood glucose levels under control.

The main symptoms of diabetes to look out for include:

  • feeling very thirsty
  • peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
  • feeling very tired
  • weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
  • itching around the genital area, or frequent episodes of thrush
  • cuts or wounds that heal slowly
  • blurred vision.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice. This is not a comprehensive list and less commons symptoms of diabetes may also occur.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “It’s really important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated.

“Whilst we recognise type 1 diabetes is not preventable, there are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes which are very much in your control, such as losing weight, getting more physically active and eating a healthy, balanced diet.

“If you have diabetes, it’s also important that you get all of your health checks. Diabetes can also cause other health problems that can become serious if not picked up and monitored or treated in the early stages. So regular diabetes health checks – sometimes called your yearly or annual review – are part of your routine NHS treatment.”

People with diabetes are also being reminded that they are eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be booked online via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119, before the offer ends on 17 June.

Dr Dave added: “Patients with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to serious complications from COVID-19 and these infections can make diabetes harder to manage and cause blood sugar levels to rise.

“So, I would urge anyone with diabetes who has yet to come forward for a spring COVID-19 vaccine to take up this offer while it’s still available.”

For more information about diabetes, visit the NHS website.

For more information on the spring COVID-19 vaccine, click here.