“It is very common for people to complain of feeling tired,” said Dr Bunstone, “but they may not immediately think of diabetes as a potential cause.” Yet, fatigue could be a warning sign of high blood sugar levels. “There are several type 2 diabetes symptoms that could be easily missed,” the doctor continued. “These symptoms tend to come on gradually, for example, a modest increase in thirst and urination.”
Dr Bunstone added that some people might start losing weight unexpectedly.
“Tell your doctor all the symptoms you are experiencing,” he urged. “And don’t assume that any are not important.”
Although the need to urinate frequently, excessive thirst and tiredness can be brought to the attention of your doctor, symptoms alone do not determine a diagnosis.
“Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed using blood tests or urine tests,” explained Dr Bunstone.
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“A doctor will make a diagnosis by determining the amount of sugar in your blood.”
He continued: “If you are concerned that you may have type 2 diabetes, you must book an appointment to see your GP and should never attempt to self-diagnose at home.
“Only a trained medical professional can make a diagnosis. To see a GP virtually, NHS appointments can be booked through platforms like Push Doctor.”
Push Doctor is an online platform which has partnered with the NHS to provide online video consultations.
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Tips to regulate blood sugar levels
Dr Bunstone emphasised the importance of a “healthy diet and active lifestyle”.
Both will help to prevent the condition from developing in the first place, and help to manage blood sugar levels if you already have it.
“Improving your diet doesn’t mean you have to make drastic changes or eliminate any foods altogether,” said Dr Bunstone. He recommended:
- Eat a wide range of foods including fruit, vegetables and some starchy carbs
- Avoid sweet foods that can cause your blood sugar levels to spike
- Be mindful of the amount of fat and salt you are eating, trying to keep this to a minimum
- Aim to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner without skipping meals
As for being physically active, Dr Bunstone reminded people that adults are required to “complete two-and-a-half hours of physical activity a week”.
“Being active is described as anything that gets you out of breath, so this could be walking briskly, climbing stairs, strenuous housework, or exercise classes – it’s up to you.
“There is no one form of exercise that is better at controlling or preventing type 2 diabetes than another.
“Any kind of exercise will have a positive impact as long as it is done regularly.”
Dr Bunstone admitted that when it comes to type 2 diabetes, “prevention is better than a cure”.
“Lots of the advice given to help manage type 2 diabetes such as exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight is key to ensuring you don’t develop it to begin with,” he said.
“As a doctor, I would always recommend making positive lifestyle changes before it becomes a medical necessity.”
Dr Bunstone is the Chief Medical Officer at Push Doctor, which you can access here.
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