Persistently high blood sugar levels, a characteristic of diabetes, can damage nerves over time, a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. Damaged nerves send conflicting signals to the brain, triggering the need to constantly move your legs.
5. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea, characterized by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep, is another potential sign of diabetes. These interruptions in breathing can occur multiple times throughout the night, leading to fatigue the next day.
Obesity is a key factor linking these two conditions. Excess fat around the neck can obstruct the airway, leading to apnea. Additionally, metabolic disturbances due to diabetes, such as insulin resistance, can also influence the development of sleep apnea.
6. Increased Thirst
If you frequently wake up at night with a dry mouth and experience excessive thirst, this could be a telltale sign of diabetes, called polydipsia. When blood sugar levels are high, your kidneys work harder to filter out excess sugar. Excess sugar is excreted in the urine along with fluids from your tissues, causing frequent urination and dehydration, leading to increased thirst.
To manage this symptom, it is essential to control blood sugar levels through regular monitoring, a balanced diet, physical activity, and, if necessary, medication prescribed by a healthcare professional.
7. Fatigue
Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep may indicate diabetes. This fatigue results from the body’s inability to efficiently use glucose as an energy source. In the absence of adequate insulin or the presence of insulin resistance, cells do not receive the necessary glucose, resulting in constant fatigue.
Managing this fatigue involves stabilizing blood sugar levels through regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and regular check-ups with a healthcare professional.
8. Dry Mouth
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is another symptom to watch for. Characterized by a lack of saliva, it can wake people up frequently, even with adequate hydration. High blood sugar levels can reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth.
To manage this symptom, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, drink enough water, and use products that stimulate saliva production, such as sugar-free gum or candy.
