Britons warned that getting a cold more often could be a sign of type 2 diabetes
Diabetes type 2 is often diagnosed in over 50s
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Britons are likely to start getting colds at this time of year as the weather changes.
However, colds and infections should not be dismissed in those who could be at risk of type 2 diabetes.
A study has shown an increase in infections such as a cold might indicate the illness.
It revealed one in three people experience a respiratory tract infection or high blood pressure right before being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Colds and infections are common before a diabetes diagnosis
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Those with the illness are also more likely to get throat and eye infections.
One in 10 developed asthma in the immediate run up to their diagnosis.
Experts suggested those who are subject to frequent colds or infections could be tested for diabetes sooner.
Senior author from Manchester University and Salford Royal Hospital Dr Adrian Heald said: "These novel insights into the onset and natural progression of type 2 diabetes, suggest an early phase of inflammation-related disease activity long before any clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is made.
“These findings hint at the potential for type 2 diabetes to be diagnosed earlier, and we hope that the distinct clinical trajectory could become a predictive tool for people at risk of the disease.”
The average age for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is 53, but the research found those affected had an increase in infections and high blood pressure years before this.
The author explained such symptom should be considered as warning signs.
Those who experience them could take preventative measures to reduce their risk of developing diabetes.
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Dr Adrian Heald continued: “Understanding the long-term clinical history of type 2 diabetes years before diagnosis means that, in the future, people could have the time to make lifestyle changes to prevent this life-changing disease from arising.
“This study demonstrates that subacute inflammation which manifests as the onset of hypertension, asthma or an acute infection, regardless of whether it is caused by the genome, demography or comorbidities, may serve as a precursor to the later onset of type 2 diabetes.”
This comes as a study found when you eat can affect the likelihood for getting diabetes.