Monitoring blood sugar is essential for everyone, not just those with diabetes. Imbalanced blood sugar can cause various health issues. This article reveals 12 signs of high blood sugar, discusses risks, and offers practical tips for management.
Understanding Blood Sugar
Blood sugar (glucose) is vital for the body as the main cell fuel. The pancreas produces insulin to regulate it. But when the process is disrupted (like insulin resistance), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) occurs.
High Blood Sugar Symptoms
- Constant Thirst: High blood sugar makes kidneys work overtime, causing dehydration and thirst.
- Frequent Urination: Excess glucose draws water from organs, making the bladder dry and leading to frequent urination. Drink enough fluids daily.
- Extreme Hunger: When the body can’t use blood glucose effectively, it signals for more food.
- Fatigue and Weakness: Kidneys working harder with excess glucose, along with hormone changes, cause fatigue and drowsiness.
- Blurred Vision: High blood sugar swells eye lenses, causing blurred vision.
- Slow Healing Wounds: High blood sugar weakens the immune system, slowing wound healing.
- Frequent Infections: Weakened immune system due to high blood sugar makes you more prone to infections.
- Numbness and Tingling: Numbness or tingling in hands/feet can be nerve damage from high blood sugar (diabetic neuropathy).
- Irritability and Mood Swings: Hormone changes from extra glucose can cause mood swings. Diabetics are more prone to mood disorders.
- Dry Mouth and Skin: High blood sugar causes dehydration, leading to dry skin and mouth. Drink water and use moisturizers.
- Bad Breath: Unusual breath smell may indicate a problem with glucose movement and ketone buildup. Frequent bad breath with no other cause may signal insulin imbalance.
- Legs are Swollen: Excess sugar pulls water into cells, swelling legs. Elevate legs if swelling occurs.
Risks of Untreated High Blood Sugar
Ignoring high blood sugar can lead to severe complications like damaged blood vessels, nerves, organs, and increased risks of type 2 diabetes, kidney damage, heart diseases, and vision problems.
Tips for Managing and Lowering Blood Sugar
- Healthy Eating: Eat a balanced diet with lean proteins, whole grains, and veggies. Avoid sugary foods and choose complex carbs.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps the body use insulin better. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help kidneys flush out excess sugar.
- Monitor Your Blood Sugar: Regularly check blood sugar with a glucometer to understand how food and activities affect glucose.