Type 5 Diabetes in the UAE: The Real Face of Silent Diabetes

As per the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), around 12.3% of adults live with diabetes — a statistic that places UAE among those with the highest rates worldwide.

While most are familiar with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, a lesser-known but deeply troubling form is emerging —  Type 5 Diabetes. Unlike its counterparts, this type is rooted in chronic malnutrition and disproportionately affects vulnerable children, especially in low-income or displaced communities. 

What makes it especially dangerous is its silence. Developing gradually — often without the classic warning signs — it presents only vague, silent symptoms of diabetes that are easy to overlook or misdiagnose. 

This quiet onset compels us to ask a critical question: is diabetes a silent killer?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. For any queries or concerns, please consult a qualified doctor. 

What is Silent Diabetes or Type 5 Diabetes?

Type 5 Diabetes or Silent Diabetes is a newly identified form of diabetes that doesn’t follow the typical patterns we usually hear about. 

Type 1 is caused by the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells. Type 2, on the other hand, often results from insulin resistance due to lifestyle or genetics. 

Type 5, however, has a completely different root cause: chronic malnutrition.

This condition develops in people, often children, who haven’t had enough proper nutrition for long periods of time. Their bodies, especially the pancreas, don’t develop properly — over time, they struggle to control blood sugar. Instead of being linked to excess sugar or weight, this form of diabetes is connected to poverty, food insecurity, and early childhood health issues.

Silent Diabetes Symptoms to Look For

One of the most dangerous things about silent diabetes is right there in its name — it often doesn’t speak up. Unlike classic diabetes, which may cause obvious signs like extreme thirst, frequent urination, or sudden weight loss, silent diabetes symptoms tend to be subtle or even invisible. That’s why it is often dubbed ‘the silent killer diabetes’.

People — especially children — might live with silent diabetes for months or even years without realising something is wrong. Their blood sugar levels remain high, but the body doesn’t always show the usual red flags. Instead, the signs may be mild or mistaken for something else.

Here are some of the common symptoms of silent diabetes —

1. Constant tiredness or low energy : Many children with Type 5 Diabetes may feel exhausted all the time. Parents often assume it's due to school stress, poor sleep, or lack of exercise — but it could be a sign of uncontrolled blood sugar.
2. Irritability or mood swings : Low energy and unstable blood sugar can affect a child's mood, making them more anxious or easily upset.
3. Slow healing of cuts or bruises : A child with diabetes may take longer to recover from small wounds. This, however, is rarely seen as a warning sign on its own.
4. Unexplained weight changes : Malnourished children might lose or gain weight without any changes in diet or activity.
5. Frequent infections : Repeated skin, gum, or bladder infections may be a silent cry for help from the body.

Can Type 5 Diabetes Be Prevented? 

Yes, in many cases, Type 5 Diabetes can be prevented, especially when it's identified early and the right support systems are in place. This is because this form of diabetes is caused by chronic malnutrition. Prevention starts not in the hospital — but at home, in schools, and in communities.

Here’s how it can be prevented or its risks reduced — 

Proper Nutrition from Early Childhood

Poor nutrition is the root cause of Silent Diabetes. Making sure that children — especially in low-income or displaced communities — have access to balanced meals can protect them from lifelong complications.

1. Include proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables
2. Provide fortified foods rich in vitamins and minerals
3. Encourage breastfeeding for infants during the first six months

Monitor Growth and Development

Regular checkups during early childhood can catch nutritional deficiencies early.

1. Track height, weight, and energy levels
2. Watch for silent symptoms of diabetes like fatigue or slow growth
3. Treat malnutrition before it becomes chronic

Implement Community Health Screenings

Early screening can help identify children at risk before they develop full-blown diabetes.

1. Offer routine blood sugar tests in schools and refugee camps
2. Target high-risk groups with nutrition and health education
3. Collaborate with local clinics and mobile health units

Not Just a Disease — It’s a Wake-up Call!

It doesn’t knock, roar, or even leave a trace at first. That’s the vicious aspect of Type 5 Diabetes — it sneaks in where children are already battling empty plates.

Diabetes is a silent killer not just because of its quiet symptoms, but because it thrives in our silence — when we ignore poverty, overlook malnutrition, and pretend food security is someone else’s problem. 

But here’s the twist: we don’t need a miracle to fight it. We need awareness. We need empathy. We need to care louder than diabetes can creep.

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