Diabetes symptoms - 8 red flags you need to be aware of as cases soar

Diabetes UK has warned that the number of cases across the nation is increasing with 1.2 million cases undiagnosed

Diabetes UK has sounded the alarm over the country's deepening health emergency, with a shocking rise in diabetes incidents reported nationwide. The charity voices its concern that over 5.6 million Brits could be grappling with the disease – marking an unprecedented spike.

Newly released numbers reveal a startling 4.4 million confirmed cases of diabetes in the UK. To make matters worse, an estimated 1.2 million might have Type 2 diabetes without even knowing it, going by the latest year-on-year stats which soared by 167,822 from the previous period.

The disorder is notorious for shooting blood sugar levels sky-high as glucose goes unchecked in the bloodstream. A whopping 90% of recorded cases are Type 2, often blamed on sedentary lifestyles and poor diets, though genetics play a part too.

Speaking on the dreadful statistics, Chris Askew, the CEO of Diabetes UK, warned: "These figures show we're in the grip of a rapidly escalating crisis."

He flagged the surge in Type 2 cases and the looming threats for millions in Britain, stressing that, "The fear of serious complications is a life-long reality for millions of people across the UK."

Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to life-threatening issues including strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure, the narrowing of blood vessels, and nerve damage. While Type 1 diabetes involves an immune assault on insulin-producing cells, Type 2, which is more prevalent, emerges when the body doesn't make enough insulin or properly use what it does produce.

Type 2 is generally deemed more manageable. With two-thirds of Brits overweight, they're upping their chances of severe health problems. Worryingly, some 2.4 million folks in the UK are at 'high risk' for Type 2 diabetes – with an increase among those under 40. However, Mr Askew reassures, "With the right care and support, cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or put into remission."

Eight symptoms for diabetes:

• Increased thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Increased hunger.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow-healing sores.
• Frequent infections.

The health service recommends seeing your GP if you spot signs that suggest diabetes. Pre-diabetes, where blood sugar levels are raised but not diabetic-level, can be a crucial yet reversible alert.

Lesser-known indicators include certain rashes that could point towards pre-diabetes or diabetes, manifesting different looks depending on the cause.

Those with diabetes are being alerted to a range of health symptoms they should be on the lookout for that may indicate underlying heart disease, a risk heightened by their condition. Among the symptoms noted by the Cleveland Clinic is Bullosis diabeticorum, characterised as "painless blisters [that] may form on the backs of hands and feet and on the legs and forearms", often seen in individuals with diabetic neuropathy resulting from nerve damage due to diabetes.

Diabetes dermopathy, another linked condition, can leave light-brown scaly patches similar to age spots on the shins but doesn't necessitate treatment. In those with type 1 diabetes, Digital sclerosis manifests as a rash that causes hand skin to harden and appear waxy.

In women, the rash known as Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) tends to develop on the lower legs, leading to shiny red patches with a yellowish centre. Diabetic Foot Syndrome poses further risks, where skin ulcers post-injury can suffer prolonged healing times and may get infected.

To manage diabetes effectively, advice includes remaining stress-free to prevent blood sugar spikes, maintaining vigilant glucose monitoring, imbibing alcohol carefully as it could mask symptoms of low blood sugar, bolstering oral hygiene to combat increased susceptibility to gum disease from bacterial infections, and self-regulating sugar consumption by using alternative sweeteners.