Diabetes Warning Signs

As we get older, it's easy to blame feeling tired, waking up at night, or changes in our eyesight on aging. But sometimes, these changes may be signs of something else: type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body struggles to use insulin properly, causing sugar to build up in the bloodstream. The condition can develop gradually, and some people have few or no noticeable symptoms at first.

The good news? Recognizing possible warning signs and getting tested can help you take action before complications develop.

Here are 10 symptoms adults over 50 should know about.

1. You're making more trips to the bathroom

Are you getting up several times during the night to urinate? Or have you noticed that you're going to the bathroom much more often than usual?

High blood sugar can cause the kidneys to remove extra sugar through the urine. This pulls additional water out of the body, increasing the need to urinate.

Frequent urination can have other causes, too, so don't automatically assume it's diabetes. If the change is new or persistent, talk with your healthcare provider.

2. You're thirsty all the time

Do you feel thirsty even after drinking water?

When your body loses more fluid through frequent urination, you can become dehydrated. That may leave you reaching for another glass of water throughout the day.

Unusual thirst, especially when combined with frequent urination, is a good reason to ask about a blood sugar test.

3. You feel hungry shortly after eating

If you're eating regular meals but still feel unusually hungry, pay attention.

When insulin isn't working effectively, your body's cells may struggle to use glucose for energy. This can leave you feeling hungry even when there's plenty of sugar in your bloodstream.

Persistent, unexplained hunger deserves attention, particularly if you have other possible symptoms.

4. You're losing weight without trying

Have your clothes become looser even though you haven't changed your diet or exercise routine?

Unintentional weight loss can sometimes occur when diabetes is not well controlled. Your body may begin using fat and muscle for energy because it cannot use glucose effectively.

Unexpected weight loss is not something to dismiss as a welcome surprise. It can have several causes, and you should have it evaluated by a healthcare professional.

5. You're tired all the time

There's a difference between feeling tired after a busy day and feeling exhausted for no obvious reason.

When blood sugar is elevated, your body may have trouble using glucose efficiently for energy. Fluid loss from frequent urination can also contribute to fatigue.

If you're feeling unusually tired for more than a couple of weeks, or your energy has changed significantly, speak with your healthcare provider.

6. Your vision suddenly seems blurry

Are you having trouble reading the newspaper, seeing your phone clearly, or focusing on familiar objects?

High blood sugar can change fluid levels in the eyes and affect your ability to focus, leading to blurry vision.

Vision changes can have many causes, some of which need urgent attention. Don't assume you simply need stronger reading glasses. Seek medical advice, especially if the change is sudden.

7. Your hands or feet tingle or feel numb

Pins and needles, burning, numbness, or unusual sensations in your feet and hands may be signs of nerve problems.

Persistently high blood sugar can damage nerves over time. Diabetes-related nerve damage often affects the feet and lower legs first.

If you notice these symptoms, get checked rather than ignoring them. Early evaluation and appropriate treatment can help reduce the risk of further nerve damage.

8. Your skin is unusually dry or itchy

Dry skin is common as we age, but persistent itching or dryness can sometimes be associated with high blood sugar.

Excessive urination and dehydration can leave your skin feeling dry. Diabetes may also affect the nerves and blood vessels that help keep your skin healthy.

Moisturizer may help ordinary dry skin, but if the problem continues or comes with other symptoms, ask your healthcare provider whether testing is appropriate.

9. You keep getting yeast infections

Recurring yeast infections can sometimes be linked to elevated blood sugar.

Yeast can thrive when glucose levels are high, making certain infections more likely to return.

If you experience repeated infections, don't just keep treating the symptoms without investigating why they're happening. A healthcare professional can help identify the cause and determine whether diabetes testing makes sense.

10. Cuts and sores take too long to heal

A small cut that seems to linger or a sore on your foot that isn't healing deserves attention.

High blood sugar can affect circulation, damage nerves, and interfere with the body's normal healing process. This is especially concerning when wounds develop on the feet.

Check your feet regularly, particularly if you have numbness or reduced sensation. Contact your healthcare provider promptly about wounds that aren't healing, and seek urgent care if a wound becomes increasingly red, swollen, painful, or infected.

What should you do if you recognize these signs?

First, don't panic. Having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have diabetes.

However, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can develop without obvious warning signs, so waiting until you feel unwell isn't a reliable way to know your blood sugar is healthy.

Here's what you can do:

Ask about screening. A healthcare professional can recommend a blood test, such as an A1C test, which measures your average blood sugar over approximately three months.

Know your risk factors. Being over 50, having a close family member with diabetes, being physically inactive, having high blood pressure, or having excess weight can increase your risk.

Keep track of changes. Make a note of unusual thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, vision changes, or unexpected weight loss.

Build healthy habits. Regular physical activity, balanced meals, adequate sleep, and following your clinician's advice can help support healthy blood sugar levels.

If you develop sudden blurry vision or sudden vision loss, seek urgent medical care. Severe weakness, vomiting, confusion, or difficulty breathing also warrant emergency evaluation.

The bottom line

Getting older doesn't mean you should ignore changes in your body. Frequent bathroom trips, constant thirst, unusual fatigue, blurry vision, and slow-healing wounds may be worth checking out.

A simple blood test can help determine whether diabetes or prediabetes is present. The earlier you know, the sooner you and your healthcare team can decide what to do next.