Doctors say diabetes is now manifesting in unconventional ways, with the disease rising in younger patients.
Marking World Diabetes Day observed on November 14, doctors in the UAE have called for awareness about the rising trend in diabetes cases, particularly among young patients, with atypical and disguised symptoms.
While diabetes, a chronic condition that leads to elevated blood sugar levels, is traditionally characterised by symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss, doctors say it is now manifesting in unconventional ways.
Rare complications
In some cases, patients experience severe complications of diabetes, which are often misdiagnosed as other health conditions. Dr Niyas Khalid, specialist, Internal Medicine, Burjeel Medical City, recalls the case of a young patient who had an extreme complication of diabetes.
“I had a patient in his 30s who is a type 1 diabetic from a young age. He was experiencing fecal incontinence, especially during sleep, which was severely affecting his quality of life. He had persistent diarrhoea and experienced weight loss. He was very distressed as multiple extensive investigations and previous treatments hadn’t worked.
“After investigative tests, I found out he has exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to digest his food. This is a long-term complication of diabetes that is less understood,” said Dr Khalid.
He put the patient on pancreatic enzyme replacement treatment, leading to a remarkable improvement in his condition.
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