Over 4,000 new cases of diabetes have been discovered throughout 2023. Known as the silent disease, for endocrinologists, the problem remains those who are not treated, as they do not know they suffer from it.

“Over 95,000 people known to have diabetes and only in the district of Tirana we have over 30,000 people with diabetes. It turns out that about 20% have diabetes and don’t know it,” said Florian Toti, president of the Association of People with Diabetes.

People with a family history, the obese and those who lead a sedentary life without physical activity are more predisposed to be affected by diabetes, but what are the warning signs.

“Increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss despite the fact that appetite remains the same or increased. At these ages, which can be young or even children, a blood glucose measurement should be done, through which we find out if we have diabetes or not. Over 40 and 30 years old, I would say that this is weaker and the family anamnesis should be seen”, says Toti.

Present at the activity organized within the World Diabetes Day, Deputy Health Minister Mira Rakacolli emphasized the prevention and early detection of the disease.

“Many citizens who have done the basic medical check-up and found that they are pre-diabetic by leading a healthy lifestyle have eliminated the appearance of diabetes,” said the deputy minister.

On the other hand, Toti requested that the basic medical check-up be extended beyond the age of 70, as most of this age group may be affected by diabetes.