In brief

• Up to 4 million Poles may have diabetes, and the disease often causes no early symptoms.
• Untreated diabetes can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage.
• Doctors warn that myths, such as the idea that avoiding sweets prevents diabetes, delay diagnosis.
• Blood glucose testing is the main way to detect the disease early.

A silent disease with serious consequences

Diabetes may give no symptoms for a long time, which is why many patients dismiss it and delay care (Nawet 4 mln Polaków może na nią chorować. Objawy łatwo przeoczyć – dlahandlu.pl). According to Dr. Paweł Banaś, an internist at the St. Barbara Hospital in Sosnowiec, the condition can lead to heart attacks, strokes and damage to the kidneys. Doctors note that poorly controlled or untreated diabetes harms both large and small blood vessels. Pain is not a typical warning sign, so the disease is often caught late (Lekarz: cukrzyca nie boli, a nieleczona może prowadzić do groźnych powikłań – rynekzdrowia.pl).

Myths that delay diagnosis

Dr. Banaś warns about the belief that someone who does not eat sweets cannot have diabetes („Nie jem słodyczy, więc nie mam cukrzycy”. Dr Banaś ostrzega przed groźnymi mitami – alertmedyczny.pl). He says this misconception, along with other myths, can keep people from getting tested. Diabetes is not caused by sugar intake alone, and a person with a normal diet can still develop it.

Scale of the problem

Estimates suggest that up to 4 million people in Poland may have diabetes. November 14 is World Diabetes Day, an occasion used to raise awareness of the causes, symptoms, treatment and complications of the disease. Specialists urge people who have risk factors or unexplained fatigue, thirst or frequent urination to ask a doctor for a blood glucose test.

What patients can do

Regular checks of blood glucose, especially for people over 45 or with overweight or a family history of diabetes, allow early detection. Treatment, which may include diet changes, physical activity and medication, lowers the risk of complications when started on time.