Being aware of both the symptoms and risk factors for diabetes is vital as going undiagnosed can have a serious impact on your quality of life. It can damage your:
This can lead to serious health problems.
Risk Factors
You are more at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are over 40
- Have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
- Had diabetes during a pregnancy
- Are overweight for your height
- Do not do 30 minutes of physical activity per day
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
You are also more at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes if you experience certain symptoms. These include:
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue (extreme lack of energy)
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate – especially at night
- Rapid and unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Frequent infection
- Numbness, pain or tingling in your hands or feet
Check these lists. The more risk factors or symptoms that you recognise as ones you experience, the more likely you are to have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
If this is the case and you are worried, speak to your GP and explain why you think you may have diabetes. Your GP can run a simple test that put your mind at ease either way.
If you are diagnosed
Understandably it can be daunting if you are diagnosed with diabetes but try not to worry. Your GP will be able to take the necessary steps to help you treat and control your diabetes.
Factors such as; early detection (getting tested if you fall into the risk factors category or are experiencing symptoms), effective treatment and good control of your condition with help you to avoid the more serious health problems diabetes can come with and allow you to maintain your quality of life.
Diabetes Ireland have developed a Type 2 diabetes risk test you can take here.
For information on COVID-19 and diabetes click here.
Information from Diabetes Ireland
