9 Signs of Diabetes That May Appear at Night
Some symptoms of diabetes can become particularly noticeable during the night. However, these symptoms can have many other causes and don’t by themselves diagnose diabetes.
- Frequent nighttime urination — High blood glucose can cause the kidneys to excrete more glucose and water.
- Excessive thirst or dry mouth — Fluid loss from frequent urination can leave you thirsty.
- Night sweats — In someone taking insulin or certain diabetes medicines, sweating can be a sign of nighttime low blood sugar.
- Shaking or a racing heartbeat — These can also occur with hypoglycemia during sleep.
- Nightmares or restless sleep — Blood-glucose fluctuations may disturb sleep in some people.
- Tingling or burning feet — Diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy can cause discomfort that becomes more noticeable at night.
- Leg cramps or unusual weakness — These may occur for numerous reasons, but persistent symptoms deserve evaluation.
- Persistent hunger — High blood glucose can prevent glucose from being used effectively by cells, potentially increasing hunger.
- Waking up exhausted — Repeated urination, thirst, discomfort, or glucose fluctuations can interfere with restorative sleep.
When to get checked
If you’re repeatedly experiencing excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, or unusual fatigue, ask a healthcare professional about diabetes testing, such as an HbA1c or blood-glucose test.
If you have diabetes and develop confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, severe weakness, or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care.
