Millions of people across the UK are unknowingly living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, a silent health crisis where serious complications often strike before a diagnosis is made. With an estimated 6 million affected, recognising your body's early distress signals is more critical than ever.
The Silent Alarms: What Your Body is Trying to Tell You
Content creator Jade Rivers, who says she has reversed her own insulin resistance, has taken to TikTok to educate the public. In a viral video titled "Here's what a body looks like that's heading towards diabetes," she breaks down the visual and physical clues that often precede a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
"If your body looks like this, chances are you're headed towards type 2 diabetes," Jade states, highlighting that these signs are often treatable through lifestyle changes rather than just medication.
Key Physical Indicators of Diabetes Risk
Dark skin patches, known medically as acanthosis nigricans, are a primary red flag. These dark, thickened, velvety patches typically appear in skin folds like the underarms or neck and are a direct result of insulin resistance.
Another common skin signal is the presence of multiple skin tags. While not conclusive proof on their own, research shows a strong link between numerous skin tags and an increased risk of insulin resistance and diabetes, according to NHS guidance.
Perhaps one of the most telling signs is your waist measurement. Jade emphasises that a waistline exceeding half your height is a major warning. Carrying excess visceral fat around your middle significantly raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, even if your Body Mass Index (BMI) falls within a "normal" range.
"If you touch your stomach and it's hard and dense, you're insulin resistant because your body is [likely] stuck in fat-storing mode," she explains. British health guidelines now strongly advocate using the waist-to-height ratio, aiming for a value below 0.5, with 0.6 or higher indicating elevated risk.
Beyond the Mirror: Other Crucial Warning Signs
Diabetes can gradually damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation. This often manifests as persistent swelling in the feet and lower legs due to fluid buildup. It's vital to seek medical advice for ongoing swelling, as it can also relate to cardiac, kidney, or venous issues.
Another critical sign is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a destructive cycle often triggered by excess weight. The disrupted breathing lowers oxygen levels, which can directly trigger insulin resistance and raise blood glucose. Poor sleep quality further increases blood pressure and stresses the heart. If you snore heavily, gasp during the night, or wake up feeling exhausted, discussing an OSA evaluation with your GP is crucial.
Finally, Jade points to a "buffalo hump" – a fatty deposit across the back of the neck and shoulders. This is a classic indicator of Cushing's syndrome, related to excessive cortisol. Sustained high blood sugar in diabetes can cause elevated cortisol levels, prompting the body to store fat in this specific area.
Taking Back Control: It's Not Just About Pills
"And what's crazy is you can go to your doctor but you're just going to get a pill for each of these symptoms," Jade observes. "But these are all just signs and you can do something about it today."
She highlights a key fact: "Our bloodstream should only have a teaspoon of sugar in it at most at a time. But with our modern food environment and the foods that we're eating, we have well over that in our bloodstream. But the key to controlling that is right here."
The path to reversal and prevention is empowered by lifestyle modifications. A nutrient-rich diet, regular physical activity, quality sleep, and weight management can be transformative. The NHS also offers support to diagnose, assist, and, where suitable, prescribe therapies for those at risk. The power to change the course of your health often lies in recognising these signs early and taking proactive steps.
