Diabetes is a common condition that affects more than four million people in the UK, and 90 percent of all cases are caused by type 2 diabetes. You could be at risk of high blood sugar if you develop an unusually unpleasant smell in your mouth, it’s been claimed.

Type 2 diabetes could be caused by the body not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin.

Without enough of the hormone, the body struggles to convert sugar in the blood into usable energy.

It’s crucial that if you think you may have diabetes, you speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

One of the key warning signs of high blood sugar is having particularly bad breath.

Diabetes patients are more susceptible to having foul-smelling breath.

That’s because the condition may lead to higher glucose levels in the mouth.

Bacteria use this sugar as a food, which subsequently leads to infection and gum disease.

Gum disease is one of the most common causes of halitosis, which has been likened to a very unpleasant smell.

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“Your breath has an interesting ability to provide clues to your overall health,” said medical website Healthline.

“Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be so telling that doctors may even be able to use it to identify diabetes.

“Diabetes may raise glucose levels in your mouth, promoting bacteria growth, infection, and bad breath.

“If someone with diabetes gets a periodontal disease, it may be more severe and take longer to heal than in a person without diabetes.”

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Meanwhile, you may also be at risk of diabetes if you develop a burning or itchy sensation around your genitals.

The pain may be caused by a yeast infection, which is more likely to occur in diabetes patients.

Abnormally high blood sugar levels in the body provides an ideal environment for yeast to grow, it said.

Your genitals may feel particularly sore, and may appear unusually red.

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• Type 2 diabetes symptoms: The signs on your tongue

Many people may have diabetes without even knowing it, because the signs and symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.

Common diabetes symptoms include having cuts or wounds that take longer to heal, having an unquenchable thirst, and passing more urine than normal.

You should speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the warning signs or symptoms of diabetes, or if you think you may be at risk.

Diagnosing the condition early is very important, because patients are more at risk of some deadly complications, including heart disease and strokes.

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