There are currently almost four million people with diabetes in the UK, but there are a further approximate 500,000 people with the disease who do not even know they have it.
The figures have been released by the Diabetes and Wellness Foundation, which also states that nine in every ten people with diabetes have Type 2, which in a number of cases can be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to a variety of serious health complications, such as heart disease or a stroke, according to the NHS.
Liverpool Echo reports that high blood sugar can cause diabetes, and if you have high blood sugar for an extended period of time, it can also result in permanent damage to parts of the body such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys and blood vessels.
Two common symptoms of high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycaemia, occur within the mouth. These include a dry mouth and a breath that smells "fruity".
Other warning signs include increased thirst, needing to urinate more frequently, and feeling or being sick. Tiredness, blurred vision and unintentional weight loss could also be warning signs.
The NHS also lists tummy pain and recurrent infections such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections, as symptoms.
As symptoms of hyperglycaemia can also be caused by undiagnosed diabetes, the NHS advises you see a GP if this applies to you. Many people, it says, have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general.
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