Diabetes is often called a "silent" disease—and for good reason. Millions of people have it without knowing, sometimes for years, while their bodies send subtle signals that go unnoticed or dismissed.

The good news? Your body does give warnings. You just need to know what to look for.

Early detection changes everything. It can prevent or delay complications, improve quality of life, and in some cases, even reverse the trajectory of the disease. Here are nine warning signs that deserve your attention—not your fear, but your action.

1. Frequent Urination (Especially at Night)

Waking up multiple times to use the bathroom? Stopping more often on road trips than you used to?

When blood sugar runs high, your kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess glucose. When they can't keep up, the excess sugar is flushed out through urine—along with large amounts of water from your tissues.

What to notice: You're urinating more frequently, in larger volumes, and it's disrupting your sleep.