Around eight million Americans are thought to be living with the condition without a diagnosis

People are being urged to look out for seven critical signs of diabetes as the condition, often referred to as a silent killer, continues to affect escalating numbers in the US. Currently, over 29 million individuals in the US live with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, with millions more not even aware they have the condition.

Diabetes is typically a lifelong health issue causing elevated blood sugar levels. The vast majority, around 90 percent, suffer from type 2 diabetes, often linked to lifestyle choices such as excess weight and insufficient exercise.

Worrying statistics from the American Diabetes Association, show that of 38.4 million adults with diabetes in 2021, 29.7 million were diagnosed, and 8.7 million were undiagnosed. And around 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year.

Of 38.4 million adults with diabetes in 2021, 29.7 million were diagnosed, and 8.7 million were undiagnosed ( 
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A further 97.6 million Americans in 2021 aged 18 and older had prediabetes – meaning they have a higher than normal blood sugar level but it’s not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes yet. On top of this, more than 73 percent of Americans are considered overweight – something that is a major risk factor for the condition.

As with any condition, the sooner you spot the symptoms, the sooner you can get the treatment you need. But what are the key symptoms of diabetes?

The UK National Health Service (NHS) isays you should visit your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of diabetes or prediabetes:

Blurred vision
Going to the toilet more often, particularly at night
Losing weight without trying
Feeling very thirsty
Genital itching or thrush
Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
Feeling more tired, as your body can’t get enough glucose into your cells for energy

A lesser-known sign of diabetes is a rash on the skin. There are several types of rash that occur in those with diabetes.

Feeling more thirsty than usual is also a sign of diabetes ( 
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Bullosis diabeticorum – The Cleveland Clinic describes this as “painless blisters [that] may form on the backs of hands and feet and on the legs and forearms”. This condition often affects people with diabetic neuropathy – a condition where the nerves are damaged through diabetes.

Diabetes dermopathy – This is where the shins become covered in light-brown patches of scaly skin. They can often look like age spots and don’t require any treatment.

Digital sclerosis – This is a type of rash that appears if you have type 1 diabetes. It causes the skin to harden up and turn waxy on the back of the hands.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) – This is a lower leg rash that’s more often found in women. It can cause red, raised, and shiny patches of skin, with a yellow centre.

Diabetes prevalence is also an issue in the UK, where an alarming 4.3 million individuals have been diagnosed with diabetes, while an estimated 850,000 people could be living with the disease without realising. In response to these statistics, Diabetes UK CEO Chris Askew remarked: “These figures show we’re in the grip of a rapidly escalating crisis. Spiralling numbers of people are now living with type 2 diabetes and millions are at high risk of developing the condition.”