Millions of people in the UK are currently living with diabetes.
It is estimated that 90% of patients have type 2 – many people don’t even know they have it.
This is because many symptoms don’t always make you feel sick.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body’s insulin-producing cells don’t produce enough insulin — and it’s also triggered when the insulin that’s produced doesn’t work properly.
Symptoms may seem like an odd place, but your hands may actually be a key indicator for diagnosing the condition.
Experts say there are some signs on your hands to look out for, and you should pay special attention to your nails.
A previous study found that people with diabetes had problems with their blood circulation.
This means that you may notice redness around your nails.
You should also pay attention to your cuticles and how comfortable your nails are within the nail bed.
“People with diabetes can also experience periungual blisters, bleeding and ulcers,” the expert explained. “If there is an arterial embolism, they can also experience bleeding from fragments – but injuries are the more common cause.
“Without circulation, nails die like any other tissue.”
You may also have Beau’s series, which is evident in many people with chronic diseases, including diabetes.
While you may be focusing on your nails, it’s also important for people with diabetes to pay attention to their toenails.
This is because people with the disease are more likely to experience a fungal infection called onychomycosis.
If you have this condition, then your nails are likely to be yellow and brittle.
If you have type 2, you can have seven symptoms, the NHS says.
One of them is urinating more than usual, which the NHS says will happen more at night.
This happens when you have too much sugar in your blood because your kidneys work harder to get rid of sugar, which in turn forces your body to make more urine.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
All types of diabetes can cause blood sugar levels to be higher than normal, but these two different types of diabetes do this in different ways.
The difference is what causes insulin deficiency—often described as the key that allows glucose to open the door to cells.
With type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, but the body’s type 2 cells become resistant to insulin, so more insulin is needed to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range.
However, doctors now think diabetes can be as many as five different diseases – and say treatment should be tailored to the different forms.
Another symptom is feeling thirsty all the time, which is because you urinate more, leading to dehydration.
Feeling tired all the time is another symptom, which may be due to low blood sugar levels.
Losing weight without trying, itching underneath, cuts and wounds that take longer to heal and blurred vision are the main symptoms, the NHS said.
Some things put you at greater risk for diabetes, including being over 40 years old, being overweight or obese, and having an Asian, Afro-Caribbean or Black African origin.
If you have any symptoms of type 2 diabetes you should see your GP.
Early diagnosis is key to type 2 diabetes because it reduces your risk of other health problems, such as heart disease, kidney problems, and sexual problems.
