7 Diabetes Symptoms Every Man Must Know

Warning signs men should not ignore

- Jessica Migala and Kathy Buchanan

1 You’re so thirsty

Excessive thirst is common with type 2 diabetes—in fact, you may feel that no amount of water can quench your thirst. That’s due to rising blood glucose levels: excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream forcing your kidneys to work harder to filter and absorb it; if they can’t keep up, they ramp up urine production. You’ll pass urine more, which can potentially lead to dehydration, so you’ll want to drink more. If you notice that you’re running to the bathroom all day or are excessively thirsty (or dealing with a dry mouth), talk to your doctor.

2 Shaving nicks don’t heal quickly

A tiny cut may seem to linger forever. “When your sugars are on their way up, it may take longer for a cut to heal,” says Sydney endocrinologist Dr. Jane Holmes-Walker. “You may also notice more shaving bumps and whiteheads in the hair follicles in your beard. The sebaceous oil glands in your face are also vulnerable to low grade infections when you have type 2 diabetes.”