Diabetes is a life-long and life-altering condition that causes blood sugar levels to become too high.
It is not exactly known what causes this in the case of type 1 diabetes.
However, in type 2 diabetics it is often linked to lifestyle factors such as being overweight and not exercising enough.
It is important to seek medical advice and treatment as quickly as you can when it comes to diabetes.
Therefore spotting the symptoms early is key.
An expert spoke exclusively with Express.co.uk about some signs of diabetes you might not be aware of.
According to Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click Online Pharmacy, there are five “lesser-known” symptoms of the condition.
These are:
- Wounds taking longer to heal than usual
- Numbness or pins and needles in the hands or feet
- Dry skin and itching
- Blurry vision
- Erectile dysfunction.
He said: “Cuts, sores or wounds may take longer to heal than usual because high blood sugar levels can impair the body’s ability to heal properly.
“Sensations of tingling, numbness or a ‘pins and needles’ feeling in the hands or feet because of nerve damage as a result of high blood sugar levels.
“Diabetes can cause dry skin due to dehydration and impaired circulation. Itching, particularly in the lower legs and feet, may also be present.
“High blood sugar levels may also cause temporary changes in the lens of the eye, resulting in blurry vision.
“And finally, diabetes can affect blood flow and nerve function, which can contribute to difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction).
“Like with any symptom, they can also be caused by other factors or conditions unrelated to diabetes.”
Other symptoms of diabetes
Mr Kanani also warned of more common signs.
“Increased frequency of urination, especially during the night and excessive thirst, feeling constantly thirsty and needing to drink large amounts of fluids,” he said.
“Weight loss and increased hunger are also very common.”
What to do if you experience symptoms
He added: “Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes.
“Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
“Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it’s treated, but it’s less common in people with type 2 diabetes.
“Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general, or there are no symptoms at all.”