6 common symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes is a silent disease that can be prevented and managed.

1 in 3 Singaporeans is at risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime. By 2050, 1 million Singaporeans could be living with diabetes if no change is made to our lifestyles now.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common in Singapore. With Type 2 diabetes, your body is unable to regulate insulin properly, causing glucose levels to rise.

Its common symptoms are:

1. Excessive thirst
2. Fatigue
3. Blurred vision
4. Rapid weight loss
5. Excessive urination
6. Dark patch of velvety skin

Beat diabetes by:

1. Limiting time spent watching TV: For every two hours spent watching TV instead of engaging in physical activities, the risk of diabetes worsens by 20%.
2. Brushing and flossing regularly: To mitigate the risk of diabetes-induced oral problems such as gum disease, brush your teeth after every meal and floss daily.
3. Making time for daily foot care: Diabetes may cause nerve damage, even small blisters can turn into sores. Don’t forget to moisturise your feet daily. Caring for your feet regularly helps to catch small problems early on.
4. Having regular eye check-ups: Yearly check-ups with an eye doctor (not an optician) can spot and prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in Singapore.