我是不是得了糖尿病？請留意這些徵兆和症狀大綱

Diabetes is rated the "fastest growing health crisis of our time", with the number of people in the UK diagnosed doubling in 20 years. Nearly 3.7million people in the UK were known to have the condition in figures released in February 2018, with a further million thought to be unaware they are diabetic.

糖尿病被評爲"我們這個時代發展速度最快的健康危機"。20年內，英國被診斷出患有糖尿病的人數翻了一番。2018年2月發佈的數據中，近370萬英國人患有糖尿病，另有100萬人被認爲對自己的症狀一無所知。

Type 2 is the fast-rising form of the disease, with a strong link to obesity. Untreated it can lead to amputations, blindness, kidney illness, stroke and heart disease - putting a huge burden on the NHS.

2型糖尿病是一種快速發展的糖尿病，與肥胖存在密切關係。如不加以治療，可能會導致截肢、失明、腎臟疾病、中風和心臟病--給英國國民健康體系帶來巨大負擔。

But it can be reversed with changes to a healthier lifestyle. Here we explain the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms and warning signs to look out for, and the treatments that can make a difference...

但擁有更健康的生活方式則可使情況發生逆轉。我們將在本文解釋1型和2型糖尿病的區別、需要注意的症狀和警告跡象、以及帶來改變的治療方法……

What is diabetes?

什麼是糖尿病？

Diabetes occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood becomes higher than normal. This happens when the body can't make the hormone insulin, or stops responding to it.

當血液中的糖（葡萄糖）水平高於正常水平時就會導致糖尿病。當身體不能產生激素胰島素或停止對其響應時，就會發生這種情況。

How to test for diabetes?

如何測試是否患有糖尿病？

The standard test is first for glucose in urine. If it is found, a special blood test - glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) - is used to check the level of sugar in your blood. It shows the average level over two to three months, can be done at any time of day and does not need any special preparation, like fasting.

標準流程是首先測試尿液中的葡萄糖。如果發現有葡萄糖，則使用特殊的血液檢測--糖化血紅蛋白（HbA1c）--來檢查血液中的糖含量。兩到三個月會顯示平均水平，這一檢測可在任何時間段進行，不需要做任何特殊準備，例如禁食。

A 2014 study by the University of Manchester and King's College London claimed Type 2 diabetes could be diagnosed far earlier by examining proteins in the blood - with hopes the new blood test could be developed in five years.

曼徹斯特大學和倫敦國王學院的一項2014年的研究聲稱，通過檢查血液中的蛋白質可以早一點兒診斷2型糖尿病--有望5年內發展新的血液檢測。

Signs and symptoms to look out for. Watch out for the four Ts:

需要注意的跡象和症狀，留意以下四點：

Toilet: Going to the toilet a lot, or a previously dry child wetting the bed.

廁所：經常上廁所，或者以前不尿牀的人會尿牀。

Thirsty: Being really thirsty and not being able to quench your thirst.

口渴：總是口渴且無法解渴。

Tired: Feeling more tired than usual.

疲憊：比平常更累。

Thinner: Unexpected weight loss or looking thinner than usual

更瘦：意想不到的體重變輕或看起來比平常瘦。