Have you ever wondered if your body is sending you warning signs about your health? Discovering and understanding the signs your blood sugar is high is crucial to preventing serious complications like diabetes. In this article, we explore in detail the most alarming and common symptoms that could indicate problems with your blood sugar levels, as well as specific signs of diabetes that you shouldn’t ignore. Keep reading to learn more and take control of your health today!
Diabetes is an extremely dangerous and deadly condition, but long before an individual is diagnosed with it, the body shows signs that their blood sugar level is very high. It is crucial that we educate ourselves about these signs to stay as healthy as possible. Here, we detail the 16 alarming signs that your blood sugar level is high and the 8 diabetes symptoms you should be aware of.
Contents
- 16 Alarming Signs Your Blood Sugar is High
- 1. Excessive Urination or Nocturia
- 2. Blurred Vision
- 3. Difficulty Concentrating
- 4. Dry Mouth
- 5. Impotence
- 6. Recurrent Infections
- 7. Slow Healing Wounds
- 8. Stomach Problems
- 9. Constant Fatigue
- 10. Excessive Thirst
- 11. Dry and Itchy Skin
- 12. Constant Hunger
- 13. Abdominal Weight Gain
- 14. Nerve Problems
- 15. Skin Changes
- 16. Tingling and Numbness
- 8 Symptoms of Diabetes
- Did You Know?
- 10 questions and answers based on 16 Alarming Signs Your Blood Sugar is High
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16 Alarming Signs Your Blood Sugar is High
1. Excessive Urination or Nocturia
If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night to urinate, it could be a sign that your blood sugar level is too high. This happens because the body is trying to get rid of the excess glucose through urine. This process can lead to urinary tract infections as the sweet environment in the bladder promotes bacterial growth. It is important to pay attention to this symptom, especially if you haven’t consumed large amounts of fluids before bedtime.
2. Blurred Vision
Experiencing temporary blurred vision doesn’t always mean you need glasses. In many cases, it can be caused by high blood sugar levels, which cause the lens in the eye to swell and change shape. This affects your ability to focus properly. If you notice that your vision fluctuates, it could be an indicator of problems with your blood sugar levels, and you should consult a doctor.
3. Difficulty Concentrating
When the body lacks insulin, it cannot move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. This means that the cells do not receive the energy they need to function properly, resulting in fatigue and difficulty concentrating. This symptom can affect your daily performance at work or school and is an important sign that something is wrong with your metabolism.
4. Dry Mouth
High levels of glucose in the blood and saliva can cause your mouth to feel dry. This dryness is not only uncomfortable but can also increase the risk of oral infections and dental problems. Maintaining proper hydration is crucial, but if the dry mouth persists, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
5. Impotence
In men, impotence can arise from long-term poor blood sugar control, which damages the nerves and blood vessels necessary for proper erectile function. This symptom can be frustrating and embarrassing, but it is important to recognize it as a possible sign of deeper health issues related to diabetes.
6. Recurrent Infections
People with high blood sugar levels are more prone to recurrent infections, as the excess glucose can weaken the immune system. This includes urinary infections, skin infections, and more severe problems like pancreatic infections. Monitoring and treating these infections promptly is essential to prevent major complications.
7. Slow Healing Wounds
If you notice that small cuts and bruises take longer than usual to heal, it could be due to high blood sugar levels affecting the nerves and circulation. The elevated sugar levels can damage the nerves and reduce blood flow, making it difficult for the blood, which carries the necessary nutrients for skin repair, to reach the injured areas.
8. Stomach Problems
High blood sugar levels can delay the emptying of the stomach, leading to symptoms such as bloating, distension, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. These digestive issues can be uncomfortable and affect your daily quality of life. It is important to talk to a healthcare professional if you regularly experience these symptoms.
9. Constant Fatigue
Feeling constantly tired is a common symptom of high blood sugar levels. Dehydration and the body’s inability to properly use glucose as energy can leave you feeling exhausted all the time. Ensuring proper hydration and controlling your blood sugar levels can help alleviate this symptom.
10. Excessive Thirst
Your kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar in the blood, requiring more fluids and resulting in constant thirst. If you find yourself drinking more water than usual and still feeling thirsty, it could be a sign that your blood sugar levels are out of control.
11. Dry and Itchy Skin
Poor blood circulation caused by high blood sugar levels can lead to dry and itchy skin, especially in the lower parts of the legs. Keeping the skin moisturized and controlling blood sugar levels can help alleviate this issue.
12. Constant Hunger
If you suddenly have an insatiable appetite, it could be due to the lack of a hormone called incretin, which regulates the flow of sugar from the liver. Without enough incretin, food empties from the stomach more quickly, making you feel hungry shortly after eating and leading to an increase in blood sugar levels.
13. Abdominal Weight Gain
Increased fat around the abdomen is a common sign of high blood sugar levels. This happens because the body cannot convert all the food into energy, resulting in hunger again shortly after eating and weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
14. Nerve Problems
High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, causing problems such as pain, tingling, and numbness in the extremities. This nerve damage can be irreversible if not properly treated.
15. Skin Changes
Changes in the skin, such as discoloration and the growth of certain areas, can be signs of high blood sugar levels. The affected areas may become dark and thick, especially on the neck and hands.
16. Tingling and Numbness
Nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels can result in tingling and numbness in various parts of the body. This type of nerve damage is known as neuropathy and can be an early sign of diabetes.
Now that you know about some signs that your blood sugar is probably too high, here are some symptoms to look out for that you may have diabetes!
8 Symptoms of Diabetes
1. Fatigue and Hunger
The food you eat is converted into glucose, which your cells use as energy. However, your body needs insulin for this energy to reach the cells. If the cells resist insulin, the energy cannot enter the cells, leaving you without energy and causing constant fatigue and hunger. It’s like your body is asking for fuel constantly but cannot use it properly.
2. Frequent Urination
The average person urinates 4-7 times in a 24-hour period. Diabetes elevates your blood sugar level, and when the kidneys cannot filter the excess sugar, your body tries to get rid of it through urine. This causes a constant need for more fluids and, therefore, more frequent urination. This symptom can be particularly bothersome as it interferes with sleep and daily activities.
3. Weight Loss
When you lose sugar through frequent urination, you also lose calories. Additionally, diabetes can prevent the sugar from your food from reaching your cells, meaning your body does not get the necessary energy. In response, your body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, which can result in unintentional and rapid weight loss, even if you are eating more than usual.
4. Dry Mouth
Frequent urination uses up a lot of fluids in the body, leading to dehydration and a constant feeling of dry mouth. The lack of saliva is not only uncomfortable but can also increase the risk of oral infections and dental problems. Staying well-hydrated is crucial, but if dry mouth persists, it is important to seek medical attention.
5. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar levels can draw fluids from certain tissues, including the eyes. This affects your ability to focus properly, resulting in blurred vision. If left untreated, diabetes can cause the formation of new blood vessels in the retina and damage existing vessels, leading to more severe vision problems and even blindness.
6. Slow Healing Wounds
The affected blood flow caused by high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage and reduce the body’s ability to heal wounds. This means that small cuts and bruises can take much longer to heal and are more prone to infection. This symptom is particularly concerning as it can lead to serious complications such as chronic infections and ulcers.
7. Tingling in Hands and Feet
Excess blood sugar can cause nerve damage, resulting in a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This condition can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet. These symptoms can be mild at first but can worsen over time if blood sugar levels are not properly controlled.
8. Dark Patches of Skin
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that creates dark, velvety patches of skin, commonly in areas such as the neck or armpit. These patches can be one of the first signs of diabetes and are caused by elevated insulin levels in the blood. This symptom is an important warning sign and should be evaluated by a doctor.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes, including 23.1 million who are diagnosed and 7.2 million who are undiagnosed. Additionally, 33.9% of the U.S. population has prediabetes, a condition that, if left untreated, can develop into type 2 diabetes. It is crucial to recognize the early symptoms of diabetes as they can be so mild that most people ignore them until they cause long-term damage. Stay alert to these symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if you notice any of them in your daily life.
Did You Know?
10 questions and answers based on 16 Alarming Signs Your Blood Sugar is High
- Question: Why might a person with diabetes feel constant fatigue and hunger? Answer: Diabetes prevents glucose from entering the cells due to insulin resistance, leaving the body without energy and causing constant fatigue and hunger.
- Question: What is a sign that the kidneys are not managing blood sugar levels well? Answer: A sign that the kidneys are not managing blood sugar levels well is the need to urinate more frequently than usual.
- Question: Why can people with diabetes experience unintentional weight loss? Answer: People with diabetes can experience unintentional weight loss because the body cannot use the sugar from food properly, leading to the body burning fat and muscle for energy.
- Question: What causes dry mouth in people with diabetes? Answer: Dry mouth in people with diabetes is caused by frequent urination, which uses up a lot of the body’s fluids and can lead to dehydration.
- Question: How can high blood sugar levels affect vision? Answer: High blood sugar levels can draw fluids from tissues, including the eyes, causing blurred vision. If untreated, it can damage blood vessels in the retina and lead to more severe vision problems.
- Question: Why do wounds take longer to heal in people with diabetes? Answer: Wounds take longer to heal in people with diabetes because high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and reduce blood flow, making it difficult for nutrients needed for skin repair to reach the injured areas.
- Question: What is diabetic neuropathy and how does it manifest? Answer: Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels, manifesting as tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet.
- Question: What are dark patches of skin a sign of in relation to diabetes? Answer: Dark patches of skin, known as acanthosis nigricans, are a sign of insulin resistance and may indicate diabetes.
- Question: What is the relationship between frequent urination and dehydration in people with diabetes? Answer: Frequent urination in people with diabetes uses up a lot of the body’s fluids, leading to dehydration and symptoms like dry mouth.
- Question: Why is it important to recognize the early symptoms of diabetes? Answer: It is important to recognize the early symptoms of diabetes because they can be mild and easily ignored, but if left untreated, they can cause long-term damage to the body.
REF: 16 ALARMING Signs Your Blood Sugar Is HIGH & 8 Diabetes Symptoms
