7 Nighttime Symptoms of Diabetes and Tips to Stabilize Your Blood Sugar Levels

The Hidden Dangers of Nighttime Symptoms

Diabetes doesn’t sleep, and its symptoms often worsen when you try to rest. Uncontrolled spikes in blood sugar can put a strain on the heart, kidneys, and nerves, according to the CDC. Nearly 38 million Americans live with diabetes—many of them undiagnosed. Nighttime symptoms are often overlooked, leaving you feeling tired and vulnerable. Feeling like these are just signs of aging? Think again. Recognizing these symptoms can change your life. But what are they, and how can you respond? Let’s look at the first warning sign.

Seven Nighttime Symptoms of Diabetes

1. Waking up covered in sweat

Imagine kicking off your blankets, sweating, despite the cool room. Night sweats can signal low blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association. Karen, 58, noticed this and checked her blood sugar – her doctor confirmed prediabetes. Do you ever wake up sweaty? Monitor your sleep. But there’s another symptom that’s easy to miss.

2. The Desire That Never Ends

Imagine drinking water at 2 a.m. and your throat is dry as sand. Frequent thirst often indicates high blood sugar, which flushes fluids from cells. Mark, 62, kept a water bottle by his bed until he checked his glucose level. Thirst all night? Track your intake. Curious about another clue? It’s a toilet habit.

3. Endless visits to the bathroom

Have you ever found yourself running to the bathroom multiple times a night? Frequent urination occurs when excess glucose overloads the kidneys. A 2021 study published in the journal Diabetes Care links it to early-stage diabetes. Karen counted five trips a night before seeking help. Notice this pattern? Write it down. But wait, another symptom is affecting your sleep.

4. Restless Leg Syndrome That Keeps You From Sleeping

Do your legs feel shaky or crawly when you lie down? Restless legs syndrome, linked to nerve problems associated with diabetes, disrupts sleep. Mark felt this “electric” feeling until a lifestyle change alleviated it. Research suggests 20% of diabetics experience this. Do you have leg tremors? It’s another sign that boosts your energy.

5. Waking up exhausted

Imagine dragging yourself out of bed, groggy despite your eight-hour fast. High or low blood sugar disrupts sleep cycles, according to Mayo Clinic research. Karen felt like she’d “run a marathon” every morning. Still tired? Check your glycemic trends. But there’s a more subtle signal worth picking up.

6. Snoring or pauses in breathing

Imagine your partner nudging you for snoring like a freight train. Sleep apnea, common in diabetes, causes spikes in blood sugar levels, according to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Sleep. Mark’s wife noticed pauses in his breathing; did a sleep study help. Loud snoring? Talk to your doctor. The final symptom? It’s your eyes.