London, UK – As the weather changes, Britons are more prone to catch a cold this time of year.
Colds and infections, on the other hand, should not be discounted in people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
According to one study, a rise in infections such as the common cold may suggest the condition. It was shown that one in every three people had a respiratory tract infection or high blood pressure prior to being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Those suffering from the sickness are also more likely to get throat and eye infections. Beyond that, one in ten people developed asthma in the months leading up to their diagnosis.
Experts believe that those who get colds or infections frequently should be checked for diabetes sooner.
Senior author from Manchester University and Salford Royal Hospital Dr Adrian Heald said: “These novel insights into the onset and natural progression of type 2 diabetes, suggest an early phase of inflammation-related disease activity long before any clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is made.
“These findings hint at the potential for type 2 diabetes to be diagnosed earlier, and we hope that the distinct clinical trajectory could become a predictive tool for people at risk of the disease.”
The average age of diagnosis for type 2 diabetes is 53, but the study discovered that those affected had an increase in infections and high blood pressure years before this.
According to the author, such symptoms should be regarded as warning indications.
Those who encounter them may be able to minimise their risk of developing diabetes by taking preventative actions.
Dr Adrian Heald continued: “Understanding the long-term clinical history of type 2 diabetes years before diagnosis means that, in the future, people could have the time to make lifestyle changes to prevent this life-changing disease from arising.
“This study demonstrates that subacute inflammation which manifests as the onset of hypertension, asthma or an acute infection, regardless of whether it is caused by the genome, demography or comorbidities, may serve as a precursor to the later onset of type 2 diabetes.”
This comes as a study found when you eat can affect the likelihood for getting diabetes. Common lifestyle habits such as drinking coffee and wine can put Britons at risk of a number of illnesses.