The 8 signs you’re living with ‘silent killer’ disease that plagues 1 in 5 – but have no idea

IT'S dubbed a 'silent killer' because symptoms aren't always noticeable - and can creep up on you.

But new figures show a staggering one in five adults in the UK are living with the disease which, if left untreated, can cause horror health complications, from kidney damage and vision loss to heart disease and life-threatening strokes.

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The shocking stats come from Diabetes UK, which claims 4.6million people in the UK have a diabetes diagnosis - the highest on record and an increase on the 4.4million reported just a year ago.

Of these people, 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes, which happens when the body doesn't use insulin properly.

It's estimated a further 1.3million people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, with an additional 6.3million living with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, also known as prediabetes.

Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “These latest figures highlight the hidden health crisis we’re facing in the UK.

“The Government must act now. 

“There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of devastating complications.

“It’s also critical that more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes but are completely unaware of it.”

So how do you know if you have type 2 diabetes and if you're at risk?

Experts from the diabetes charity shared crucial advice with Sun Health.

SYMPTOMS - WHAT SHOULD YOU BE LOOKING OUT FOR?

Type 2 diabetes symptoms aren't always noticeable, especially because they can be attributed to less serious conditions.

Diabetes UK advises looking out for the following signs:

• Toilet - going for a wee a lot, especially at night
• Thirsty - being really thirsty
• Tired - feeling more tired than usual
• Thinner - losing weight without trying to
• Genital itching or thrush
• Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
• Blurred eyesight
• Increased hunger

These symptoms can affect both adults and children and differ from person to person.

The charity says the most common symptoms tend to be increased thirst, going for a wee a lot, feeling tired and losing weight.

If you have any diabetes symptoms it's important to contact your GP and ask for a diabetes blood test.

THE BIGGEST RISK FACTORS

The reasons why someone develops type 2 diabetes are multiple and complex, according to Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical care at Diabetes UK.

They include genetic, environmental and biological factors.

He tells Sun Health: "Some of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes include living with overweight or obesity, being over the age of 40, or 25 in those from African-Caribbean, Black African or South Asian communities, living with a high waist measurement, or having an immediate family member with diabetes.

"Other factors in your environment, like poverty or deprivation and inequality, may also increase your risk."

About half of type 2 diabetes cases are caused by being overweight or obese.

Obesity rates have roughly doubled for women and tripled for men since the 1990s.

Lazy lifestyles, unhealthy diets and a family history of the condition all also raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The disease prevents the pancreas from making enough insulin, meaning the body cannot digest sugar properly, so it builds up in the blood.

ARE YOU AT RISK OF PREDIABETES?

Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, more commonly known as prediabetes, means a person’s blood sugars are higher than usual - but not high enough for them to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Having higher than normal blood sugar levels means someone is at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Mr Twenefour says the risk factors for type 2 diabetes similarly increase a person’s risk of developing prediabetes.

These include your age, ethnicity,  family history, and living with obesity or overweight.

But he adds: "There are many things people can be supported to do to reduce their risk, including eating more healthily, increasing activity levels and losing weight if you are living with obesity or overweight."

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KEEP THE CONDITION AT BAY

Multiple studies, including the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program from the National Institutes of Health, have demonstrated that combining regular exercise with a healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, sometimes by as much as 50-60 per cent in high-risk individuals. 

For those who need support to make changes to their diet and activity levels, if they're found to have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia on a blood test they can be referred to the .

They can also call the Diabetes UK helpline on 0345 123 2399 to speak to an adviser.

To find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you can also visit Diabetes UK’s free online .

For some simple diet tweaks you can make to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, follow the tips below...