TYPE 1 diabetes is a common condition in the UK, which affects up to 400,000 Brits.
It can be deadly or cause organ damage if left untreated, yet many people go for years not knowing they have the condition.
GettyThere is one common symptom of diabetes which you can often smell[/caption]
High blood sugar – when the body is unable to produce enough working insulin – doesn’t always make you feel unwell.
According to the NHS, the most common signs of diabetes are:
Peeing more than usual, particularly at nightFeeling thirsty all the timeFeeling very tiredLosing weight without trying toItching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrushCuts or wounds taking longer to healBlurred vision
But there is one common symptom of the condition which you can often smell – making it quite easy to pick up.
If you have diabetes, a sweet-smelling breath could indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening illness if left untreated.
This is when the body enters ketosis, a state also achieved with the low-carb keto diet, according to the NHS.
When there isn’t enough glucose in the body to burn for energy, the body uses fat instead, this produces a type of chemical called ketones.
DKA affects roughly four per cent of individuals with type 1 diabetes in the UK each year, according to the UK National Diabetes Audit.
And it can also occur in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Other indicators of DKA, which can occur within 24 hours of the body running low on glucose, include increased thirst and a dry tongue, urination on a regular basis, being sick and tummy pain.
There are some other unusual signs of diabetes to watch for…
1. Someone’s moody
There is growing evidence to show that blood sugar levels can impact your mood.
Uncontrolled diabetes may cause you to feel confused, anxious, irritable, impatient, or just not act like yourself.
Dr Sneha Kothari, a consultant endocrinologist at Global Hospital in Mumbai, told Health Shots: “As there is a constant increase and decrease in blood sugar levels, some people experience mood swings as an early symptom of diabetes.”
Many common features of high blood sugar levels, such as feeling tired, may also be making you feel low as a by-product.
2. Pins and needles
Diabetes can damage nerves (neuropathy), usually in the feet, causing a tingling feeling or pain.
About ten to 20 per cent of people who are diagnosed with diabetes already have some nerve damage related to the disease, Health reports.
Dr Ronald Tamler, director of the Mount Sinai Clinical Diabetes Institute, said in the early stages, this may be barely noticeable.
“You may feel a strange, electric tingling in your feet, or have decreased sensation or decreased balance,” he said.
3. Skin problems
Skin disorders are frequent among diabetics due to high blood sugar levels, which can impact your blood vessels and nerves.
More commonly seen in those before a diagnosis, is a condition known as acanthosis nigricans (AN).
It is characterised by a dark band of velvety skin that usually appears on the back of the neck.
Dr Julietta Gusarova, a cosmetic doctor working with RegenLab, said: “Acanthosis nigricans can also be discovered in various parts of the body where the skin folds, such as the palms, armpits, or groin, in many people.
“In addition to the visible colouring associated with the disorder, some people say their skin feels thicker.”
Acanthosis nigricans can be treated by managing the root problem – diabetes.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
All types of diabetes cause blood glucose levels to be higher than normal, but the two different types do this in different ways.
The distinction lies in what is causing the lack of insulin – often described as the key that allows glucose to unlock the door to cells.
With type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas produces no insulin, but in type 2, cells in the body become resistant to insulin, so a greater amount of insulin is needed to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range.
However, doctors now think diabetes could be as many as five different diseases – and say that treatment should be tailored for the different forms.