Around 4.7 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes, but it’s thought many others could be living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes
Some of the most common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Feeling thirsty a lot.
- Needing to wee frequently, especially at night.
- Tiredness.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Often having thrush (a fungal infection) or itchy genitals.
- Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal.
- Blurred vision.
Many people do not realise they have type 2 diabetes because they may have no symptoms, or symptoms may develop gradually. Type 1 diabetes symptoms are similar but usually develop more quickly.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed by blood tests showing the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future. You may be able to prevent or delay this by getting support with eating healthy food, managing your weight and being more active. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.
Visit the Diabetes UK website for more detailed information about tests, diagnosis and treatments.
Getting a diabetes diagnosis after a stroke
Because type 2 diabetes sometimes has no symptoms, you might only be diagnosed when you have tests after a stroke. Coping with this, as well as the effects of your stroke, can be difficult. As well as your stroke recovery, you may need to think about diabetes medication, monitoring blood sugar and trying to make changes to your diet. All of this can have a big emotional impact.
It can take time to adjust to the demands of managing your condition and it can feel overwhelming. Try to take it one step at a time. Speak to your doctor or nurse about how you’re feeling and seek some support.
You can also call our Stroke Support Helpline if you need someone to talk to or help finding sources of support.
You should have an annual diabetes health check, but you can contact your GP at any time. Your pharmacist can also give advice on medication and support with healthy eating, being more physically active and stopping smoking.
Who is at risk of diabetes?
Type 1
You’re more likely to develop type 1 diabetes if you have close family members with the condition.
It’s an autoimmune condition, where your immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
Type 2
This type of diabetes is linked to living with obesity or being overweight, but you can also get it if you are not overweight.
You’re at higher risk of having type 2 if you have a close family member with the condition. It’s more likely to start over the age of 40, but more younger people are also being diagnosed with the condition.
People from Black African, Black Caribbean, South Asian and Chinese family backgrounds are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and from a younger age (over 25).
You can try the Diabetes UK ‘Know your risk’ tool to learn more about your own risk of type 2 diabetes. In England, you can also join the ‘Healthier You’ diabetes programme for support with prevention.
