Diabetes can manifest subtly during the night, with symptoms often going unnoticed until they begin to interfere with sleep. One of the most common signs is frequent urination during the night, caused by the body trying to eliminate excess glucose. This often leads to increased thirst as the body becomes dehydrated. Night sweats, caused by nocturnal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), are another warning sign that may wake someone abruptly in the night.
Additional symptoms include restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. Restless legs can result from diabetic nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which causes discomfort and an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. Sleep apnea, particularly common in overweight individuals, can be worsened by insulin resistance. It causes breathing interruptions throughout the night, leading to daytime fatigue and poor sleep quality.
Hypoglycemia during the night may bring symptoms such as hunger, confusion, trembling, and even heart palpitations. These symptoms can disturb sleep and are often overlooked. Meanwhile, persistent fatigue, even after a full nightโs rest, may indicate poor glucose utilizationโanother red flag for diabetes.
Other signs include dry mouth (xerostomia), caused by high blood sugar reducing saliva production, and general sleep disturbances from blood sugar swings. Insomnia can result from both high and low glucose levels.
Early, often-overlooked warning signs of diabetes include dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans), unintentional weight loss, blurred vision, skin tags, itchy skin, and slow-healing wounds. Monitoring these symptoms and seeking medical guidance early can significantly impact diabetes prevention and management.
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