Diabetes in the UAE: Early Signs, Tests and How Often to Check
Plenty of people in the UAE have diabetes and have no idea. That's the tricky part. A simple blood test can pick it up, and the sooner it's found, the better your chances of keeping your eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves healthy. Here's what to look out for, which tests to ask about, and how often to get checked. How Common Is Diabetes in the UAE? The numbers are big. The IDF Diabetes Atlas puts diabetes at about 20.7% of adults aged 20–79 in the UAE, and estimates that around 64% of them haven't been diagnosed. That's over 800,000 adults who don't know. Long desk days, sugary drinks, fast food, extra weight and family history all play a part. Type 2, the most common kind, creeps up over years, so it's easy to put the symptoms down to a hectic schedule. Early Signs of Diabetes At first, the signs are easy to shrug off. Here's what to watch for: Being thirsty all the time, with a dry mouth Needing the toilet more often, especially at night Feeling tired eve...