Diabetes: Warning signs in the 'hands and toes' could signal nerve damage, warns doctor

The same goes for drinking more water and making extra trips to the loo, especially during the night.

Many people put this down to the weather or simply drinking more, but it could actually point to something going on internally.

Physician and Medical Advisor at Welzo, Dr Blen Tesfu, warned that these signs are worth paying attention to, rather than just chalking them up to stress.

"I recommend monitoring for increased irritability and difficulty concentrating," he told GB News.

"If a person experiences 'fogginess' and there is no apparent reason, it could potentially be an early indicator to check in on one's health as opposed to simply attributing it to being stressed."

Shedding pounds when you haven't changed your eating habits or exercise routine is another sign to watch, as this signals the body is losing fat and muscle mass.

It happens because, without sufficient insulin, your body's cells cannot get the glucose necessary for energy, leaving them to break down fat and muscle tissue for fuel instead.

Cuts and scrapes that seem to take ages to heal are another red flag that most people don't connect with diabetes, since they're focused on the more obvious symptoms.

Then there's that tingling feeling in your fingers and toes, which can come and go from day to day.

Dr Tesfu said: "Many people experience tingling in their fingers and toes as a result of nerve damage caused by diabetes.

"The tingling may be intermittent and vary from day to day. Many individuals do not attribute the tingling sensation to their health condition because the symptoms occur intermittently."

Feeling thirsty all the time, whether it creeps up gradually or hits suddenly, could be another one of your body's ways of waving a flag.

The Dr added: "If you find yourself consistently drinking water throughout the day, or getting out of bed several times through the night to get a drink or use the restroom, then maybe you should investigate what could be causing this excessive thirst, as opposed to thinking about it being due to habit."

Fortunately, most people who have regular check-ups with a healthcare provider prevent nerve damage and catch problems early.

If you're ticking off several of these symptoms, it's really worth having a chat with your doctor rather than putting everything down to your busy lifestyle.

Dr Tesfu notes that next time you're feeling constantly drained, reaching for water more than usual, or noticing any of these other signs, don't just dismiss them.