Some 3 million Poles have diabetes and another 3 million are at risk of the disease, health officials said.
As the international health community marked World Diabetes Day on November 14, Polish medical professionals urged the public to check their blood sugar to detect potential problems at an early stage.
Diabetologists say early detection and treatment are critical to preventing serious complications.
They warn that while diabetes often causes no pain, it gradually damages blood vessels and can lead to premature death from heart attacks and strokes.
The disease also contributes to limb amputations and heart and kidney failure, doctors said.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition marked by elevated blood sugar, which over time can harm the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that around 830 million people worldwide have diabetes, making it one of the leading causes of death, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
World Diabetes Day was established by the International Diabetes Federation in 1991 to mark the 70th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
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Source: TVP Info