10 Common Symptoms of High Blood Sugar You Shouldn’t Ignore

Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is a crucial component of our body’s energy system. It fuels our brain, muscles, and organs and helps them function properly. However, when the sugar level in our blood is too high, it can lead to severe health complications. High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, is a common condition that affects millions of people globally. In this article, we will discuss ten common symptoms of high blood sugar that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination

One of the most common symptoms of high blood sugar is increased thirst and frequent urination. When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys work harder to filter out the excess sugar from the blood. As a result, more urine is produced, which leads to dehydration and the feeling of thirst.

2. Fatigue and Weakness

High blood sugar levels can make you feel tired and weak because it affects your body’s ability to convert sugar into energy. This can make routine activities like walking or climbing stairs seem more challenging than usual.

3. Blurred Vision

Hyperglycemia can cause blurred vision because it affects the ability of the lenses in the eyes to focus properly. This can cause difficulty in reading, recognizing faces, or doing other vision-related activities.

4. Slow Healing of Cuts and Wounds

High blood sugar levels can also affect your body’s ability to heal cuts and wounds. This is because diabetes can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the skin, which can lead to delayed healing and increased risk of infections.

5. Numbness or Tingling Sensation in Hands and Feet

High blood sugar can cause nerve damage, which can lead to numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet. This condition is called diabetic neuropathy, and it can make it difficult to perform routine activities like holding objects or balancing.

6. Dry Skin

Diabetes can cause dry skin because high blood sugar levels can lead to dehydration, which can affect skin health. Dry skin can lead to itching, cracking, and other skin-related problems.

7. Irritability and Mood Swings

Hyperglycemia can affect mood and behavior, leading to irritability, anxiety, or depression. It can cause sudden mood swings, which can be difficult to manage.

8. Increased Hunger

High blood sugar can also affect your appetite, making you feel hungry even after eating. This is because insulin resistance (a common condition in type 2 diabetes) can make it difficult for your body to use insulin to convert food into energy.

9. Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of diabetes, especially in type 1 diabetes. The body starts to break down muscle and fat for energy instead of using glucose, leading to weight loss even when eating enough food.

10. Fruity Breath or Sweet Smelling Urine

Hyperglycemia can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which causes fruity-smelling breath and sweet-smelling urine. This condition requires immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening if left untreated.

In conclusion, hyperglycemia is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider immediately to prevent further damage to your health. By managing your blood sugar level, you can prevent complications and lead a healthy life.