Five warning signs of diabetes that 'go undetected' including one that appears at night

Nurse
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A nurse has shared the five most common warning signs of diabetes that many people initially ignore.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that prevents the body from producing insulin or using it properly. This can cause sufferers to have high levels of blood sugar, which, over time, can damage a number of organs including the heart, eyes and kidneys, among others.

Around one in 16 people in the UK are affected by the disease, with more than 90% of people suffering from type two diabetes. However, many people don't know the early warning signs.

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But one medical expert is on a mission to change that. Taking to TikTok, US-based registered nurse Lener Crockett shared five symptoms to be aware of. "Did you know that oftentimes diabetes goes undetected?" she said, before warning: "Don't ignore these symptoms."

Feeling thirsty

The first symptom the nurse shared was "increased thirst." "Feeling thirsty more than usual?" Crockett said.

Feeling thirsty frequently does not necessarily mean you have diabetes. It can simply be a sign of dehydration, and thirst can also be brought on by eating salty or spicy food.

However, if you persistently feel thirsty despite drinking enough fluids, you may want to make an appointment with your GP.

Frequent urination

The nurse explained that if you "need to pee more frequently, especially at night," this can be a sign of diabetes.

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Frequent urination, along with excessive thirst, occurs when the body can't process extra sugar – also known as glucose. This forces the kidneys to filter the sugar out of the body in urine.

Fatigue

If you feel "unusually tired or exhausted," this can be a warning sign of diabetes, according to Crockett. However, fatigue can also be a sign of a number of issues and it does not necessarily indicate that you have diabetes.

According to the NHS, the most common causes of fatigue include not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep, having an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, depression, hormonal changes, some acute illnesses like Covid-19 or glandular fever, and some medical treatments or medicines including chemotherapy.

Blurred vision

The nurse explained that changes to your vision, including "experiencing vision changes" or having "difficulty focusing" can be a sign that something isn't right.

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Diabetes can cause the lens of the eye to swell, causing vision to blur. Your eyesight may go back to normal when your blood sugar levels stabilise. Shapes 'floating' in your eyes, known as floaters, can also be a symptom.

Wounds that take longer to heal

The final symptom of diabetes the nurse outlined was "slow-healing wounds." "Do cuts or sores take longer to heal for you?" she asked.

She concluded the video by advising: "If you experience any of these symptoms, call your medical professional as soon as possible."

According to the NHS, other symptoms of diabetes include weight loss and genital itching. However, having any of these conditions does not necessarily mean you have diabetes.

It's important to speak to your GP if you have concerns about your symptoms.