When someone has diabetes, their blood sugar levels become too high because their body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly. Insulin is the hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells, where it’s used for energy.

There are several types of diabetes, with Type 1 and Type 2 being the most common. While the causes may differ, the symptoms are often quite similar. Recognizing the signs early can help someone get diagnosed and start treatment sooner, which can prevent serious complications.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of diabetes and why they happen:

Frequent Urination (Polyuria)

High blood sugar causes extra glucose to spill into the urine. This draws water with it, leading to increased urine production and more frequent trips to the bathroom.

Constant Thirst (Polydipsia)

Because you lose more water through frequent urination, your body becomes dehydrated and triggers a strong thirst to replace lost fluids.

Extreme tiredness (Fatigue)

When insulin is lacking or not working properly, glucose can’t enter the body’s cells to provide energy, leaving you feeling very tired.

Blurred Vision

High blood sugar causes fluid to shift in the lens of the eye, making it swell and changing how light is focused, which blurs your vision.

Slow Healing Wounds

High blood sugar weakens the immune system and reduces blood flow, making it harder for wounds to heal quickly.

Tingling or Numbness (Peripheral Neuropathy)

Over time, high blood sugar can damage nerves, especially in the hands and feet, causing sensations like tingling, numbness, or pain.

Stories of Real People, Stories of Relief

Diabetes touches many lives, and behind every number is a person with a story to tell. These stories of real people offer moments of relief, connection, and courage. Moreover, it reminds us that healing comes not just from medicine, but from understanding and support.

Seeing the World Through Her Eyes

Dear FWD,

I wanted to say thank you — but I’ll try to say it the way my daughter would.

She’s five years old. She has Type 1 diabetes. She also has a wild imagination, a generous heart, and tiny hands that carry courage every single day.

When we joined your support group, she said to me,
“Mummy, these kids have the same blood as me!”
That was her way of saying:
“I belong.”

School had been tough. Her teachers meant well, but they didn’t always understand her snacks, her numbers, or the quiet fears behind her lunchtime smiles.

But then your educator visited. That day, she came home and whispered with a grin,
“Now they know my sugar beeps are just my superpowers talking.”

She hasn’t hidden her glucose monitor since.
That was the day she stood taller — inside and out.

Thank you, FWD, for helping me understand this journey… and for making a five-year-old feel not different, but extra sparkly.

With all my heart,
— Cora

Overcoming Fear, One Stroke at a Time

Dear FWD,

“Thank you for organising today’s swimming session. I brought my two sons, and for my younger boy—who lives with diabetes and has long been afraid of water—it was a milestone moment.

This was his very first opportunity to confront that fear in a setting that felt truly safe. I honestly don’t think it could’ve happened without tonight. FWD created such a calm, diabetes-aware environment, and that made all the difference.

It took him 20 minutes just to step into the shallow pool, but with floats and armbands—and plenty of gentle encouragement—he found his confidence. By the end, he was floating independently.

He left beaming with pride, and we’re now looking into regular swimming lessons.

Thank you again. FWD’s events genuinely change lives.

— H. Kohn

Finding Strength Through Support

Dear FWD-UK,
Being diagnosed with diabetes turned my world upside down. The constant diet changes, blood sugar checks, and lifestyle adjustments were overwhelming—I didn’t even know where to begin.

My doctor recommended I reach out to FWD-UK, and I’m so glad I did.
From day one, your team provided practical guidance, calm reassurance, and—most importantly—a sense of community. Through your support groups, I met people who get it.

Some have become dear friends.
Thanks to FWD, I’ve rediscovered my strength. And for the first time since my diagnosis, I don’t feel alone.

With gratitude,
— Rachel A.

A Leaflet That Changed Everything

Dear FWD-UK,
I’d been feeling exhausted, needing the toilet constantly, and struggling with blurry vision—but I kept brushing it off. Then I came across one of your leaflets at my local community centre.

It listed the symptoms clearly and simply. Something about it made me stop and think.
I booked a GP appointment, got tested, and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Catching it early changed everything. I’m now managing my condition, and it all started with that one leaflet. Thank you!

— David M.