Diabetes is a common condition that affects almost four million people in the UK, and 90 per cent of all cases are caused by type 2 diabetes. It’s caused by the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin. Without enough of the hormone, the body struggles to convert sugar in the blood into useable energy. You could be at risk of diabetes symptoms if you notice a tingling in your feet, it’s been claimed. Related articles Diabetes type 2 - 20p herb you should eat every day Diabetes type 2 - high blood sugar sign hanging from your skin They should see their GP if concerned and be tested for diabetes Donna Welch A numbness or tingling in the feet may be a hidden warning sign of type 2 diabetes, according to Diabetes Advanced Podiatrist, Donna Welch. It could be a sign of nerve damage in the feet, which is linked to diabetes. It could increase the risk of infections or wounds without the patient necessarily noticing. Speak to a doctor if you have a persistent tingling in your feet, said the podiatrist. “If patients are experiencing signs of nerve damage - numbness, tingling, loss of sensation in the feet - they are at risk of hurting themselves and being unaware,” said Welch. “They should see their GP if concerned and be tested for diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes can experience painful neuropathy or hypersensitive feet, things that should not hurt do, for example they cannot bare to wear socks or shoes. “If an individual is getting repeated infections or have hard to heal wounds they should see their GP for advice and be tested for diabetes as raised blood glucose levels can effect wound healing.” Diabetes type 2 symptoms: Signs of high blood sugar on your feet, skin and gums revealed (Image: GETTY Images) You could also be at risk of diabetes symptoms if your gums are frequently becoming inflamed. Inflamed or infected gums are a warning sign of gum disease, which may be caused by high blood sugar levels in the mouth, added Qured Head of Operations, Dr Amy Bibby. “Inflamed or infected gums, also known as periodontitis, is linked to diabetes because high glucose levels in the mouth can help bacteria grow and therefore provoke gum disease.” Finding dark patches of skin on your body could also be caused by the high blood sugar condition, she added. “Another sign – skin discoloration, particularly around the back of your neck and under the armpits – can be a sign of insulin resistance and therefore diabetes.” Related articles Diabetes type 2 - 10p vegetable you should eat to lower blood sugar Diabetes type 2 - BEST exercises to prevent high blood sugar Diabetes type 2 symptoms: Common signs include passing more urine than normal and blurred vision (Image: GETTY Images) Symptoms of diabetesWed, July 18, 2018 Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 500,000 who are living undiagnosed with the condition Getty Images/Tetra images RF 1 of 10 A classic symptom of diabetes can lead to rapid weight loss More common diabetes symptoms include passing more urine than normal, unexplained weight loss, and having blurred vision. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can have similar symptoms, except weight loss is more commonly linked to type 1 diabetes. Many people could be living with diabetes without even knowing it, because the symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell. But, diagnosing the condition early is crucial, as diabetes raises the risk of some deadly complications, including heart disease and strokes. Speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the signs or symptoms of diabetes, or if you think you may be more at risk.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility