Dr Eileen Sables says more than 300,000 New Zealanders are living with diabetes. Photo supplied
By Dr Eileen Sables, GP at Tend Pakuranga
As we marked Diabetes Action Month in November, I want to share something that could change – or even save – your life.
Too many Kiwis are walking around with undiagnosed diabetes, unaware their body is sending urgent warning signals.
With over 300,000 New Zealanders living with diabetes, and thousands more undiagnosed, this silent epidemic touches nearly every whānau in our community.
The tragedy is that many suffer needlessly because they didn’t recognise the signs early enough. Your body whispers before it screams.
That constant thirst that has you reaching for another glass of water, even after you’ve just drunk one. The bathroom trips that interrupt your sleep night after night.
The bone-deep exhaustion that coffee can’t fix. These aren’t just signs of a busy life – they could be your body’s cry for help.
Perhaps your vision has become frustratingly blurry, or that small cut on your finger is taking weeks to heal instead of days.
Maybe you’ve lost weight without trying, or you’re hungrier than ever but still feel drained.
Some notice tingling in their hands and feet, or infections that keep coming back.
Here’s what worries me most: people wait. They explain away each symptom, hoping it’ll pass. But diabetes doesn’t wait.
Every day of high blood sugar damages your body in ways you can’t see or feel, until it’s too late.
The good news? A simple blood test at your local medical centre can give you answers.
And, if diabetes runs in your family, a yearly blood test is a smart way to stay ahead and make sure you’re not on the same path.
If caught early, diabetes is entirely manageable. This Diabetes Action Month, don’t gamble with your health.
Listen to your body’s warning signs. Your future self will thank you.