© Shutterstock

Fatigue -

Extreme fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of diabetes. Also known as diabetes fatigue syndrome, it's caused by fluctuating blood glucose levels that don’t supply enough glucose for the body to use for energy.

© Shutterstock

Increased hunger -

Intense hunger, or polyphagia, is also a warning sign of diabetes. Your body uses the glucose in the blood to feed the cells. When this system is broken, your cells can’t absorb the glucose. This makes your body constantly look for fuel, causing persistent hunger.

© Shutterstock

Blurry vision -

Elevated blood sugar levels can damage your retinas and cause fluid levels around your eyeballs to fluctuate. This can leave you with blurry or impaired vision.

© Shutterstock

Peeing more often -

When your kidneys have to compensate for the excess sugar in your blood, it often means you'll frequently find yourself rushing to the bathroom.

© Shutterstock

Constant thirst -

And because you have to pee so much, you can get very thirsty. The combination of your kidneys working overtime and excessive thirst makes round-the-clock peeing a reality for people with unmanaged diabetes.

© Shutterstock

Dry mouth -

Because your body is using fluids to make urine, there's less moisture for the rest of your body. You could easily get dehydrated, leaving your mouth feeling dry.

© Shutterstock

Itchy skin -

Itchy skin is often caused by diabetes, and it’s sometimes one of the first symptoms. It can be caused by yeast or fungal infection, dry skin, or poor circulation.

© Shutterstock

Loss of hearing -

High blood sugar can affect nerve cells in the ear and cause impaired hearing. So make sure you check this during your physical exam.

© Shutterstock

Unplanned weight loss -

If your body can't get energy from your food, it will start burning muscle and fat for energy instead. This will cause you to lose weight, even if you haven't changed how you eat.

© Shutterstock

Nausea and vomiting -

Both high and low blood sugar can make you feel sick to your stomach, and this unsettled feeling is often one of the first signs diabetics notice before a diagnosis.

© Shutterstock

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes -

Both types of diabetes have some of the same telltale warning signs. But some are more characteristic of type 2 diabetes. They tend to show up after the glucose has been high for a long time.

© Shutterstock

Irritability -

Blood sugar dips, nausea, fatigue, and poor circulation can make anyone feel less than happy, often making those with unmanaged diabetes irritable.

© Shutterstock

Sweet breath -

Diabetics often notice that they've developed sweet or nail-polish-like breath before they're diagnosed. Sweet breath is often a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which your body can't effectively convert glucose into energy, keeping your blood sugar at dangerous levels if untreated.

© Shutterstock

Decreased libido -

If your s e x drive has gone to nonexistent, diabetes may be to blame. The poor circulation and depression that often accompany diabetes can make arousal difficult.

© Shutterstock

Depression -

The rapid surges and dips in blood sugar that are part of untreated diabetes can cause profound shifts in your mood, including depression.

© Shutterstock

Inflamed or infected gums -

Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, may be an early sign of type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that people with gum disease, especially those with severe cases, had higher rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes than those without.

© Shutterstock

Long naps -

Studies have found that people who took daytime naps longer than an hour were 45% more likely to have type 2 diabetes compared to those who napped less. This is because sleep deprivation, depression, or sleep apnea are all associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

© Shutterstock

Slow-healing wounds -

Over time, high blood sugar levels narrow your blood vessels. It slows down blood circulation and restricts the development of nutrients and oxygen, which makes it hard for your body to heal wounds.

© Shutterstock

Leg rashes -

Many diabetics will notice small round or oval lesions on their lower legs. These spots, known as diabetic dermopathy, are thought to occur in up to 55% of people with diabetes.

© Shutterstock

Erectile dysfunction -

For men, a noticeable decline in your ability to get erections could be a sign of diabetes. In fact, up to 71% of men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction.

© Shutterstock

Frequent infections -

Anybody can get a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection, but people with type 2 diabetes tend to get them more often. The high blood sugar associated with diabetes can weaken a person's immune system, making them more susceptible to infection.

© Shutterstock

Polycystic ovary syndrome -

For many women, a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) means a diabetes diagnosis isn't far behind. PCOS and diabetes are both associated with insulin resistance, meaning there are similar hormonal issues in both diseases.

© Shutterstock

Skin discoloration -

Another warning sign of diabetes is acanthosis nigricans. This is a condition that causes discoloration on the back of your neck. The velvety, dark skin changes can also occur on your armpits and groin.

© Shutterstock

Strange sensations in your feet -

About 10% to 20% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes already have some nerve damage related to the disease. One might feel a strange, electric tingling in the feet, or have decreased sensation or balance.

© Shutterstock

Yeast infections -

Both men and women with diabetes can get yeast infections. Yeast feeds on glucose, so having plenty around makes it thrive.

© Shutterstock

Weight gain -

While some diabetics tend to lose weight, weight gain is nearly as common. Diabetes and thyroid disorders often go hand-in-hand, making diabetics more susceptible to weight gain.

© Shutterstock

Tingling and numbness in your fingers -

Elevated blood sugar can cause nerve damage, which is often signaled by a tingly feeling in your hands. If left untreated, this can lead to tissue death and amputations.

© Shutterstock

Symptoms of gestational diabetes -

Pregnant women can risk getting gestational diabetes. High blood sugar during pregnancy usually has no symptoms, which is why it's always tested.

© Shutterstock

When to call your doctor -

If you think you may be experiencing any of the early signs of diabetes, it's important to get tested. When you spot the condition early, you can avoid nerve damage, heart trouble, and other complications.

Sources: (Health.com) (Healthline) (Eat This, Not That!)

See also: Health mistakes you didn't know you're making

© Shutterstock