Diabetes is a common condition that affects around four million people in the UK, and 90 per cent of all cases are caused by type 2 diabetes. The condition may be caused by the body not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin. If you aren’t making enough insulin, the body struggles to convert sugar in the blood into useable energy. You could be at risk of diabetes symptoms if you often find a nasty taste in your mouth, it’s been revealed.
Some diabetes patients may regularly have a bitter taste in their mouth, according to medical website Diabetes.co.uk.
The taste could be caused by oral thrush, which is more likely to affect people with diabetes, it said.
High blood sugar levels in the mouth provide perfect conditions for yeast to grow, which leads to an infection – otherwise known as thrush.
“Thrush is a yeast infection [candida albicans] which tends to affect warm, moist areas of the body such as the vagina, penis, mouth and certain areas of skin,” said Diabetes.co.uk.
“Thrush is more common in people with diabetes as high sugar levels lead to better conditions for the yeast to grow.
“High blood sugar levels is one of the main causes of thrush and so is an weakened immune system, which is also common in people with diabetes.
“A dry mouth coupled with a higher amount of glucose in the saliva can also make for favourable conditions for thrush.
“Oral thrush [oral candidiasis] symptoms include a nasty or bitter taste, redness or bleeding inside the mouth, painful and sore mouth, and cracks at the corners of the lips.”
But just because you have a bad taste in your mouth, it doesn’t mean to say that you have diabetes.
Nasty tastes could also be caused by gingivitis, dry mouth, nerve damage, and even just a stuffy nose.
Meanwhile, you could also be at risk of thrush if you have creamy, white-coloured lesions in your mouth, or have a sore throat.
Many people may have diabetes without even knowing it, because symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.
The most common diabetes symptoms include feeling very tired, passing more urine than normal, and having an unquenchable thirst.
Spotting signs of the condition early is very important, as patients are more at risk of some deadly complications, including heart disease and strokes.
Speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the signs of diabetes, or if you think you may be at risk.
A quick blood test should reveal whether you have diabetes, or if you’re at risk of the condition.
