According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), people can go years without realising they have diabetes because some people have no symptoms.

There is a silent symptom of diabetes that many people need to pay attention to, which is a feeling like being prickled by needles when waking up in the morning, usually in the feet, according to the Mirror .

According to information from UNC Health Wayne Hospital (USA), excess sugar in the blood can damage nerve endings, especially those located farthest from the spinal cord, such as the feet.

And a red flag that can warn of diabetes is a feeling of "tingling or pins and needles in the legs when waking up". In addition to frequent urination, this is considered a symptom of diabetes, according to Mirror.

Most people urinate four to seven times a day, UNC Health Wayne Hospital adds. Going more than that, especially waking up multiple times at night to use the bathroom, can be a sign that your kidneys are working overtime to remove excess sugar from your blood.

Another symptom is mood swings. Unstable blood sugar levels can cause some people to become moody.

Other common symptoms of diabetes

Feeling thirsty, tired, losing weight and muscle mass, thrush or itching around the genital area, according to the NHS.

Diabetes should be diagnosed as early as possible because it can get worse if left untreated and can cause long-term health complications.