Dr. Luu Thuy Quynh from Hanoi's Central Military Hospital 108 says type 2 diabetes often develops quietly, without obvious signs that catch most people's attention.

The disease can start with mild symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss or gain, recurring infections and occasional blurry vision. Because they are subtle, many people overlook them.

When blood sugar stays high, excess glucose leaks into urine and drags water with it. The loss of fluid makes you feel thirsty and increases how often you need to pee.

Fatigue occurs because cells cannot use the abundant glucose for energy, leaving the body short of fuel. At the same time, high sugar weakens the immune system, leading to skin, gum or fungal infections that heal slowly, while temporary blurry vision results from fluid changes in the eye’s lens.

Often, a diagnosis is made only after complications appear in the heart, kidneys, eyes or nervous system, confirming that the disease had been present for years without clear warning signs.

Adults aged 30 and older, especially those who are overweight, inactive or have a family history of diabetes, should have their blood sugar checked regularly to catch the condition early.

Early detection lets patients manage blood sugar and related risk factors sooner, greatly reducing the chance of serious cardiovascular, kidney, eye and neurological problems later on.