If you're drinking glass after glass of water and still feeling parched, pay attention.
That excessive urination we just talked about? It dehydrates you. Your body screams for fluid to replace what it's losing, creating a cycle of drinking and urinating that can feel endless.
What to notice: Thirst that doesn't improve no matter how much you drink. Craving water constantly, even in the middle of the night.
3. Unexplained Weight Loss
This one seems contradictory—eating normally (or even more) yet losing weight. But in undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes, it happens.
Without enough insulin to move glucose into your cells, your body starts burning fat and muscle for fuel instead. You're essentially starving at the cellular level while food passes through your system.
What to notice: Dropping pounds without trying, especially if you're eating enough. This is more common in type 1 diabetes but can occur in type 2 as well.
4. Extreme Fatigue
Feeling tired is vague—everyone gets tired. But this is different. This is the kind of exhaustion where even a full night's sleep leaves you dragging.
When sugar can't enter your cells, they're literally starved for energy. Your body is running on empty no matter how much you rest.
What to notice: Fatigue that interferes with daily life. Feeling wiped out after meals. Needing naps despite adequate sleep.
5. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar pulls fluid from the lenses of your eyes, affecting their ability to focus. The result? Blurry vision that comes and goes.
This is different from permanent vision damage. It's a fluctuation—good days and bad days—that often improves once blood sugar is controlled.
What to notice: Vision that's clearer some days than others. Trouble focusing, especially after meals.
6. Slow-Healing Sores or Frequent Infections
Cuts that linger. Bruises that don't fade. Gum infections that won't quit. Bladder infections that keep returning.
High blood sugar impairs circulation and weakens immune function, making it harder for your body to heal and fight off invaders.
What to notice: Any wound that takes longer than expected to heal. Recurring infections, especially skin, gum, or urinary tract infections.
7. Tingling, Numbness, or Pain in Hands/Feet
This one is serious. Chronically high blood sugar damages nerves—a condition called neuropathy. It often starts in the extremities, particularly the feet.
Some people describe tingling or "pins and needles." Others feel numbness, burning, or shooting pain. Because sensation is reduced, small injuries can go unnoticed and become infected.
What to notice: Any unusual sensations in your hands or feet. Loss of feeling. Burning pain, especially at night.
8. Darkened Skin Patches (Acanthosis Nigricans)
This is a visible sign that often appears before diabetes is diagnosed. Velvety, dark patches develop in skin folds—typically the neck, armpits, or groin.
It's called acanthosis nigricans, and it's a marker of insulin resistance. Your body is producing extra insulin to compensate, and the skin is reacting.
What to notice: Dark, thickened, velvety skin that looks like it needs washing—but doesn't scrub off.
9. Increased Hunger (Especially After Eating)
You just ate. A full meal. And an hour later, you're hungry again.
Without enough insulin to move glucose into your cells, your body never gets the signal that it's been fed. It keeps asking for fuel, even when you've provided plenty.
What to notice: Persistent hunger shortly after eating. Cravings for carbohydrates or sweets that feel urgent.
Who Should Pay Extra Attention?
While anyone can develop diabetes, certain factors increase risk:
Family history – Parent or sibling with diabetes
Weight – Being overweight or obese, especially with excess belly fat
Age – Risk increases after 45
Inactivity – Physical activity helps regulate blood sugar
History of gestational diabetes – Or giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds
Race/ethnicity – Higher risk for African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander populations
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – Strongly linked to insulin resistance
What to Do If You Recognize These Signs
Don't panic. Many of these symptoms can have other causes. But don't ignore them either.
Make an appointment with your primary care provider
Be specific – Tell them which symptoms you've noticed and for how long
Request testing – A simple fasting blood sugar test or A1C can provide answers
Bring a family member if you're anxious—they can help advocate and remember information
Early diagnosis is powerful. It gives you options. It gives you time. It gives you the chance to make changes before complications develop.
The Good News
Diabetes is serious. There's no sugarcoating that. But it's also manageable—more so now than ever before.
With proper treatment, lifestyle changes, and support, millions of people with diabetes live full, healthy, vibrant lives. The key is catching it early and taking action.
You are not helpless. You are not alone. And paying attention to these signs is the first step toward taking control.
