By LEADNG | Health Education Writer
Last updated: 15 October 2026
You have been drinking more water than usual. You visit the toilet frequently, feel tired even after resting, and notice that your vision sometimes becomes blurry.
It is easy to blame these changes on hot weather, a busy schedule or getting older. But when several of these symptoms appear together, they may be signs of diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose, also called blood sugar, becomes too high because the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively.
One reason diabetes can go undetected is that its symptoms are not always dramatic. Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, and some people have few noticeable symptoms.
Recognising possible warning signs and getting the appropriate blood tests can help people receive treatment before serious complications develop.
Seven possible warning signs of diabetes
1. Feeling unusually thirsty
Persistent thirst can be a sign of high blood glucose. When glucose levels become too high, the kidneys may remove excess glucose through urine, increasing fluid loss.
You may find yourself drinking much more than usual without feeling satisfied.
Thirst alone does not prove that you have diabetes. Hot weather, dehydration, certain medicines and other conditions can also cause it. However, persistent thirst alongside frequent urination deserves medical attention.
2. Urinating more often than usual
Have you started waking several times during the night to urinate, even though your drinking habits have not changed significantly?
High blood glucose can cause the kidneys to remove more glucose through urine, which can increase urination.
Do not assume that frequent urination is simply a normal consequence of drinking water. If it is persistent or occurs with unusual thirst, fatigue or unexplained weight loss, arrange a medical assessment.
3. Feeling tired most of the time
Everyone feels tired occasionally. But persistent fatigue that affects everyday activities may need investigation.
When diabetes affects the body's ability to regulate glucose, the body may not use energy normally. High blood glucose can also contribute to dehydration and other problems that make someone feel unwell.
Fatigue has many possible causes, including anaemia, poor sleep, infections and thyroid disorders. A blood test and clinical assessment can help identify the cause.
4. Losing weight without trying
Unexplained weight loss can occur when diabetes is not adequately controlled.
When the body cannot use glucose effectively, it may begin breaking down stored fat and muscle for energy. Some people lose weight even though they have not intentionally changed their diet or activity.
Unintentional weight loss should not be ignored, especially when it occurs alongside thirst, frequent urination or marked fatigue.
Rapidly developing symptoms, particularly with vomiting or abdominal pain, require urgent medical assessment.
5. Experiencing blurred vision
High blood glucose can temporarily affect the fluid balance in the eye and change how clearly you see.
You may notice that your vision becomes blurry or fluctuates over time.
Blurred vision can also have other causes, including eye conditions that need separate treatment. Sudden loss of vision or a sudden major change in eyesight requires urgent medical attention.
Do not assume that blurred vision is harmless simply because it comes and goes.
6. Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
Some people with diabetes notice that cuts, sores or skin injuries take longer to heal.
Persistently high blood glucose can interfere with normal healing, while diabetes-related nerve damage and reduced circulation can increase the risk of foot problems.
Check wounds for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, discharge or worsening pain. A wound that is deteriorating, particularly on the foot, should be assessed promptly.
Do not wait for a wound to become severe before seeking care.
7. Tingling, numbness or unusual sensations in the feet
Diabetes can damage nerves over time. This may cause tingling, burning, pain or reduced sensation, particularly in the feet.
Someone with reduced sensation may not notice a blister, small cut or injury. This can allow a foot problem to worsen without being detected early.
These symptoms do not automatically mean diabetes is responsible, but persistent or unexplained changes deserve medical assessment.
Important: Some people with type 2 diabetes have no obvious symptoms at all. Feeling healthy does not always mean your blood glucose is normal.
Source: World Health Organization — Diabetes.
A realistic example: When the warning signs seem ordinary
Imagine a 46-year-old shopkeeper in Ibadan who has recently started drinking water more frequently and waking at night to urinate.
She also feels unusually tired during the day. She assumes the symptoms are caused by the heat and her busy work schedule.
A few weeks later, she notices that her clothes are becoming looser even though she has not been trying to lose weight. She decides to visit a healthcare facility and explains the changes she has experienced.
A healthcare professional arranges appropriate blood tests and assesses her symptoms rather than relying on appearance alone.
This is an illustrative example, not a real patient story or a diagnosis. The symptoms described can have several causes, and only appropriate medical assessment can establish whether diabetes is present.
The key lesson is that several persistent changes occurring together deserve attention, even when each one seems easy to explain on its own.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Symptoms can suggest diabetes, but they cannot confirm it.
Healthcare professionals use blood tests to assess glucose levels. Depending on the situation, these may include:
Fasting plasma glucose: Measures blood glucose after an overnight fast.
HbA1c: Estimates average blood glucose over approximately the previous two to three months.
Oral glucose tolerance test: Measures how the body handles glucose after a prescribed glucose drink.
Random plasma glucose: Measures glucose at any time of day and may help establish a diagnosis when characteristic symptoms are present.
Each test has specific diagnostic thresholds and limitations. A clinician will decide which test is appropriate and whether repeat testing is necessary.
A home glucose meter can help someone monitor glucose when advised, but a reading from a personal device is not always sufficient to establish a diagnosis.
If you recognise several warning signs, ask a qualified healthcare professional about appropriate testing rather than trying to diagnose yourself.
Source: WHO — Diabetes questions and answers.
When should you seek urgent medical help?
Some diabetes symptoms require more than a routine appointment.
Seek emergency medical care if you or someone else develops symptoms such as:
Vomiting or severe abdominal pain alongside symptoms of high blood glucose.
Deep or unusually rapid breathing.
Fruity-smelling breath together with feeling seriously unwell.
Confusion, unusual drowsiness or reduced consciousness.
Severe dehydration or rapidly worsening weakness.
These may indicate a serious complication such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which can sometimes be the first sign of previously undiagnosed diabetes.
Do not wait for a routine blood test if severe symptoms develop.
Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?
Type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented through established lifestyle measures. Type 2 diabetes, however, can often be delayed or prevented, particularly in people at increased risk.
Practical steps include:
Move regularly. Choose physical activities that suit your health and abilities, such as brisk walking, cycling or other activities you can maintain.
Build balanced meals. Include vegetables, appropriate sources of protein, fibre-rich foods and suitable portions of carbohydrates. Reduce excess added sugar and heavily processed foods where possible.
Avoid tobacco. Tobacco use increases the risk of several serious health problems.
Attend health checks when appropriate. People with risk factors, including a family history of diabetes or high blood pressure, may benefit from discussing screening with a healthcare professional.
These measures can reduce risk, but they cannot guarantee prevention. Diabetes is influenced by several factors, including genetics, age and other aspects of health. People who develop diabetes should not be blamed for their condition.
Source: WHO — Diabetes prevention and care.
A simple checklist: What to tell your healthcare professional
Before your appointment, consider noting:
You do not need to have every symptom to request an assessment. This checklist is simply a way to help you describe what has changed.
Final thoughts
Diabetes does not always announce itself with obvious symptoms. Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and changes in vision may be signs that your blood glucose needs checking.
These symptoms can have other causes, and some people with diabetes feel well for a long time. A suitable blood test is more reliable than guessing based on how you feel.
If you notice persistent warning signs, seek medical advice. Early diagnosis and appropriate care can help reduce the risk of serious complications.
Have you noticed that thirst, frequent urination or unexplained tiredness is becoming part of your everyday routine? Consider discussing these changes with a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general health education only. It does not diagnose diabetes or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not start, stop or change medication based solely on this article. Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
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