Diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or when the body cannot use the available insulin. If left untreated, it could lead to amputation of the lower limbs, heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness. Several factors could increase the likelihood of developing diabetes. These factors include lifestyle, age, and genetics.

Risk factors for diabetes

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDKD) reports that people who are obese, have had gestational diabetes, increased triglycerides, high blood pressure, aged 45 and above are more susceptible to type 2 diabetes.

Other factors that increase the chances of developing diabetes are polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS), a sedentary lifestyle, depression, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

Knowing the symptoms of the disease could help identify it early to prevent it from progressing. You can also identify diabetes through monitoring your BMI and using the Diabetes Risk Test.

Some of the most common symptoms of diabetes are slow healing wounds, excessive hunger, frequent urination, and increased thirst. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor to know if you have diabetes. There are also less common symptoms of dates that you should know.

Less common symptoms of diabetes

Acanthosis nigricans refers to dark particles on the skin. These patches often appear on the groin, armpits, and neck. This symptom is a sign that you have excessive levels of insulin in your blood. It is usually a sign of pre-diabetes.

Diabetes could also affect the blood vessels and nerves in the hands and feet. As a result of the hindered circulation, these parts of your body can become itchy and tingly.

Diabetes often means that your blood sugar is high. Because yeast feeds on sugar, it is common for people to have a yeast infection. Furthermore, white blood cells have a more challenging time traveling through the blood to the affected area, making it more difficult to clear the infection.

When a patient does not get the appropriate treatment for the disease, they could develop diabetic ketoacidosis. In this condition, the body uses fat cells to produce energy as it cannot make or use insulin. As a result of fat metabolism, the body produces ketones which give the breath a sweet and fruity smell.