9 'subtle' signs you could have diabetes - including smelly breath and dizziness
Over the festive season, it's easy to overindulge in our favourite treats - but if you've noticed some changes in your body, it might be worth checking for signs of type 2 diabetes.
It can be hard to tell the difference between a hangover, eating too much chocolate, and diabetes symptoms. In 2021, a staggering 38.4 million Americans (11.6% of the population) had diabetes, but a huge 8.7 million of these were undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss, but they may become more noticeable during Christmas, so here are some signs to look out for:
1. Needing to pee more than usual
This could be your body trying to get rid of extra glucose. It's a common symptom of type 2 diabetes, so go to see a doctor if you notice you are heading to the loo more often than usual - even if you think it's just because of holiday drinks.
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2. Feeling unusually thirsty:
If you're feeling thirstier than normal, even after eating four mince pies, it could be a sign of diabetes. This is due to the imbalance of sugar in your body caused by the condition.
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Christmas dinner and the festive period can be a risky period for diabetes (Getty Images)3. Bad breath
A weird smell from your mouth is common in people with diabetes, and it could resemble anything from a rotten egg to sweet pear drops. Some reckon the smell is like acetone or nail varnish remover - and it might be a sign of diabetes.
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4. Feeling really tired
If you're feeling extremely tired, it could mean something's not right in your body and it may be diabetes. It's always a good idea to chat with your GP if you can't handle how tired you are. Of course, it could just be that you're worn out from chatting to the in-laws all Christmas.
5. Cuts not healing as quickly as they should
When diabetes isn't controlled, it makes your blood move slower in your body, says the Sun. This means when you get a cut, your blood takes longer to bring the necessary nutrients to the wound for it to heal quickly. So, injuries take longer to heal than usual - or sometimes they don't heal at all.
6. Feeling dizzy
Feeling dizzy is a common symptom after having one too many drinks on Christmas day. But it could also be because of low or high blood sugar and dehydration - all signs of diabetes.
A fatty liver is known to develop as a result of diabetes (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)7. Feeling nervous or anxious
Feeling anxious as the family gathers from all over for Christmas? It could be more than just nerves. Symptoms like a racing heart, confusion, shaking, sweating, dizziness, headache, and nausea can be signs of both anxiety and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). In fact, over 40% of people with diabetes experience anxiety.
8. Aggression or irritability
Feeling grumpy or aggressive at the dinner table? Blood sugar changes can affect your mood, so if you're unusually irritable with no clear reason, it might be worth talking to your doctor.
9. Unexpected weight loss
Lost weight despite indulging over the holidays? Diabetes can cause rapid weight loss due to dehydration and frequent urination.
Other symptoms to watch out for include thrush or itchy genitals, confusion, hunger, difficulties with coordination, concentration and decision making, personality and behavioural changes, blurry vision, and dark spots on your skin.
Dr Neel Patel of LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor has warned that those who are overweight or obese are "more at risk" of developing diabetes. He told the Sun: "Specifically, people with an unhealthy waistline measurement and those who store too much fat around their pancreas and liver can be at high risk. Certain ethnicities also have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People from Black African, African Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds are generally at a higher risk."
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To lower the risk of diabetes, Dr Patel suggests making some lifestyle changes. "One of the biggest factors that can help is losing weight. This can be done through increasing your physical activity and eating healthier balanced meals," he said. "Two other key lifestyle improvements that can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes are quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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