11 Less-Obvious Signs of Diabetes (Explained)
1. Dry, cracked lips
High blood sugar pulls fluid from your body → dehydration → dry mouth and lips.
2. Constant thirst
Your body tries to flush excess glucose through urine, making you thirsty all the time.
3. Dry mouth or thick saliva
Reduced saliva production is common in uncontrolled blood sugar.
4. Frequent urination (especially at night)
Excess glucose forces the kidneys to work overtime.
5. Tingling, burning, or “ants crawling” feeling in feet or hands
This is diabetic neuropathy, caused by nerve damage from prolonged high sugar levels.
⚠️ The ants in the image are symbolic—not literal.
6. Numbness in toes or fingers
Often starts subtly and worsens over time if untreated.
7. Slow-healing cuts or sores
High glucose impairs circulation and immune response.
8. Frequent infections
Especially skin, gum, urinary tract, or yeast infections.
9. Changes in tongue appearance
A dry, coated, or reddened tongue can be linked to dehydration or oral infections.
10. Unexplained fatigue
Cells can’t access glucose properly, so your body feels low on energy.
11. Blurred vision
Fluid shifts in the eyes caused by high blood sugar affect focus.
What the Image Gets Right — and Wrong
✅ Right:
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Tingling feet = nerve symptoms
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Dry mouth/lips = dehydration
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Tongue changes = possible oral effects
❌ Misleading:
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These signs do not automatically mean diabetes
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Many appear only after blood sugar has been high for a while
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You can have diabetes without obvious symptoms
When to Get Checked
You should consider a blood sugar test if you have:
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Multiple symptoms together
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Family history of diabetes
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Overweight or sedentary lifestyle
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Persistent fatigue or nerve sensations