Some symptoms of diabetes may become more noticeable at night, though these symptoms are not specific to diabetes and can have other causes as well.
5 Possible Diabetes Symptoms That Appear at Night
- Frequent urination (nocturia)
- High blood sugar can cause the kidneys to remove excess glucose through urine, leading to more nighttime bathroom trips.
- Excessive thirst
- Losing more fluid through urination can make you wake up thirsty.
- Night sweats
- In people with diabetes, especially those taking insulin or certain medications, low blood sugar during sleep can trigger sweating.
- Tingling, burning, or numbness in the feet
- Nerve damage related to diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) may be more noticeable when lying quietly in bed.
- Poor sleep or frequent waking
- Blood sugar fluctuations, thirst, urination, or discomfort from neuropathy can disrupt sleep.
Other Common Diabetes Symptoms (Day or Night)
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow-healing cuts or wounds
- Frequent infections
Both Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes are diagnosed with blood tests, not symptoms alone.
If you’re concerned about diabetes, common tests include:
- Fasting blood glucose
- HbA1c (A1C)
- Oral glucose tolerance test
If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, especially increased thirst and frequent urination, it’s a good idea to discuss them with a healthcare professional.
