Will YOU be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? We reveal the key signs and symptoms to watch out for - and how to lower your risk

Urinating frequently, feeling very thirsty and having an insatiable appetite may appear to be nothing more than minor annoyances.

As a result many people simply ignore the issues – trusting they will eventually subside.

However, these seemingly insignificant problems are actually three of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes – a condition that’s becoming increasingly prevalent across the globe.

A report this week published by the World Health Organization revealed the number of adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes has quadrupled in the past 35 years – now affecting 422 million people worldwide.

The report didn’t differentiate between type 1 or type 2 diabetes – but experts say the surge in cases is predominantly down to type 2, which is linked to an unhealthy lifestyle.

In fact, one in three adults in the US has a condition called prediabetes, which is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Similarly, one in three adults in the UK also suffer from prediabetes, the NHS warns.

As a result, it is vital for people to learn to recognize the risk factors for type 2 diabetes – as well as common symptoms – to properly prevent, or treat, the disease.

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes - including frequent urination, feeling very thirsty and having an insatiable appetite - are easy to overlook. But because the disease is becoming more and more common, it's important for people to recognize the signs - and risk factors - that may point to diabetes

THE TOP RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body stops making insulin because the immune system is attacking the cells where insulin is produced.

The condition largely depends on genetics, environmental factors and potentially even exposure to viruses.

However, type 2 diabetes is a very different condition – largely triggered by preventable lifestyle factors.

It occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin – or isn’t using its insulin as efficiently as it could.

Some characteristics of type 2 diabetes are beyond a person’s control, experts at the American Heart Association note, including:

• History
• Race or ethnic background
• Age
• History of gestational diabetes  

But, there are also a myriad of modifiable risk factors that also put people at risk of developing the disease, such as:

• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity
• Untreated high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they typically experience a condition known as prediabetes.

It is known that type 2 diabetes can largely occur because of an unhealthy lifestyle - including modifiable risk factors, such as being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, untreated blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels

With prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal – but not yet high enough to be considered as diabetes, the American Diabetes Association said.

People with prediabetes are on the road to developing type 2 diabetes – but also have higher risks of developing stroke or heart disease as well, experts warn.

THE TOP SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly – and largely go unnoticed at first.

The Mayo Clinic reported that people can have type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it.

However, when the symptoms do set in, there are a few key changes to look out for.

Frequent urination and increased thirst are two major signs – which occur when excess sugar building up in the bloodstream pulls fluid from the tissues.

When that occurs, people are often left thirsty – and therefore, they may drink and urinate more than usual, Mayo Clinic said.

Another major symptom is increased hunger, which occurs because of a lack of insulin.

When there isn’t enough insulin to move sugar into the cells, a person’s muscles and organs become depleted of energy – which triggers intense hunger.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop slowly - and some people have the disease for years before realizing it. Some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes (pictured here, in a pancreas) include excessive hunger or thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, vision problems, slow-healing sores and more

Furthermore, people with type 2 diabetes may also experience extreme weight loss at first.

They are often eating more than usual to relieve hunger – but still losing weight.

That’s because their ability to metabolize glucose is diminished, which causes the body to use alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat.

Their calories are then lost when excess glucose is released in the urine.

Other common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Slow-healing sores 
• Frequent infections
• Patches of darkened skin  

THE TOP COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES 

There are a number of serious health complications that can arise as a result of type 2 diabetes.

The condition dramatically increases a person’s risk of heart and blood vessel disease – in addition to heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Additionally, diabetes can cause nerve damage, or neuropathy, as a result of excess sugar that injures the walls of tiny blood vessels that nourishes the nerves.

Diabetes can also lead to long-term health problems, including heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot problems, skin conditions and Alzheimer's disease

That can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain in the toes or fingers.

Some other major complications include:

• Kidney damage
• Eye damage
• Foot damage
• Hearing impairment
• Skin conditions
• Alzheimer’s disease 

HOW TO PREVENT TYPE 2 DIABETES

If a person has any of the diabetes risk factors - or has been diagnosed with prediabetes - there are a number of lifestyle changes they can make to prevent the disease from developing.

Losing five to seven per cent of their body weight can slash a person's risk.

Additionally, their risk of diabetes decreases even more if they continue to lose more weight.

The American Heart Association suggests people at risk for diabetes achieve at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity – or 75 minutes each week of vigorous physical activity.

Or, a person could also complete a combination of the two forms of activity, with strength-training at least two days per week as well.

Lifestyle changes are key to preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes - including increasing exercise and a number of dietary changes, such as cutting out red meat and highly processed carbohydrates

Additionally, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there are a number of dietary changes that can have a big impact on the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Those changes include: 

• Picking whole grains over highly processed carbohydrates 
• Skipping the sugary drinks 
• Eating foods that have good, instead of bad, fats 
• Limiting intake of red and processed meat