Have you ever thought about your personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes? A straightforward test may just help you grasp this – and it’s recommended by the NHS.
Although it cannot provide a definitive diagnosis, the health service previously stated that completing this check ‘could be the most important thing you do today.’
In an X post earlier this year, the NHS said: “Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Finding out your risk only takes a few minutes using the @DiabetesUK risk tool – it could be the most important thing you do today.”
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition in which the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces is ineffective. Insulin, produced in the pancreas, is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels, and when it fails to function properly, blood glucose levels can become dangerously high.
While type 1 diabetes, which results from immune system dysfunction, cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes is avoidable. “You can manage type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise, or medicines,” NHS guidance reads, according to the Express.
“Having high blood glucose levels can cause complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke or nerve problems. It may be possible to prevent type 2 diabetes or stop it (remission) by losing weight and improving your diet.”
Those looking to evaluate their risk can visit the Diabetes UK website, which offers a brief assessment, taking no longer than five minutes. Participants should have a tape measure and scales prepared beforehand, likely because being overweight and having a waist circumference over 35 to 40 inches are known risk factors for the condition.
Providing specific data on health and ethnicity is also crucial for more precise results. Diabetes UK states that people of Black African, African Caribbean, and South Asian backgrounds have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes earlier in life.
“Know Your Risk is our trusted online tool that will help you understand your risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” Diabetes UK explains. “There are an estimated 6.3 million people in the UK at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes based on blood sugar levels. And we know that the sooner type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated and the better the impact on health.
“We’ve helped over 3 million people to understand their risk – help us to help you understand yours and begin to take steps to manage it.”
Only people aged 18 and over should complete the assessment. The test is also unsuitable for pregnant women, whose results may not be accurate. For more information, visit Diabetes UK.
Possible warning signs of type 2 diabetes
The NHS explains that the primary signs of type 2 diabetes are:
- Feeling constantly thirsty
- Unexplained weight loss
- Overtiredness
- More frequent urination
However, other red flags can be:
- Itching around the penis or vagina
- Reoccurring thrush
- Wounds taking a long time to heal
- Blurred vision
Anyone concerned about their symptoms should seek medical advice.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
