High Blood Sugar Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when your body doesn't have enough insulin or can't use insulin properly to transport glucose from your blood into your cells for energy. Left unchecked, it can lead to serious health complications. Recognizing the early warning signs of high blood sugar is crucial for managing your health and preventing long-term damage. This article will cover the symptoms you shouldn't ignore, explain the underlying causes, and provide practical steps for management and prevention.

Why Monitoring Blood Sugar Matters

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is vital for overall well-being. When your blood sugar is consistently high, it can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing your risk for:

• Heart disease: High blood sugar contributes to plaque buildup in arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes.
• Kidney disease (nephropathy): High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, impairing their function.
• Nerve damage (neuropathy): Elevated blood sugar can harm the nerves throughout your body, causing pain, numbness, and digestive issues.
• Eye damage (retinopathy): High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, potentially leading to vision loss and blindness.
• Foot problems: Nerve damage and poor circulation can increase the risk of infections, ulcers, and even amputation.

Regular monitoring is key to identifying and addressing high blood sugar early. If you experience symptoms or have risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, being overweight, or having certain medical conditions, talk to your healthcare provider about getting your blood sugar checked regularly.

Common Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

It’s crucial to understand that symptoms of high blood sugar can sometimes develop gradually, making them easy to dismiss or overlook, especially in the early stages. However, being aware of these common signs can prompt you to seek timely medical attention.

Frequent Urination (Polyuria)

One of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms of high blood sugar is frequent urination. When there's excess glucose in your blood, your kidneys work overtime to filter and remove it through urine. This leads to increased urine output, even during the night (nocturia).

Example: Imagine you normally urinate 6-8 times a day. If you suddenly find yourself needing to go 10-15 times, especially waking up several times at night to urinate, it could be a sign of high blood sugar.

Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)

Excessive thirst often accompanies frequent urination. As your body loses fluids through increased urine output, you become dehydrated, triggering intense thirst. You may find yourself constantly reaching for water or other beverages to quench your thirst.

Example: You feel like you can never get enough to drink, and your mouth and throat always feel dry, even after drinking a large amount of water.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Although it might seem counterintuitive, unexplained weight loss can occur with high blood sugar, particularly in Type 1 diabetes. When your body can't use glucose for energy due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance, it starts breaking down muscle and fat for fuel. This process can lead to rapid and unintentional weight loss.

Example: You haven't changed your diet or exercise routine, but you've lost 10-15 pounds in a few weeks or months.

Blurred Vision

High blood sugar can affect the lens of your eye, causing it to swell and distort your vision. This can result in blurred vision, making it difficult to focus on objects both near and far. The effect is typically temporary and improves as blood sugar levels return to normal, but it’s a symptom you should not ignore.

Example: You notice that your vision is blurry, and you’re having trouble reading or seeing objects clearly.

Fatigue

Persistent fatigue and lack of energy are common complaints among individuals with high blood sugar. When your cells don't receive the glucose they need for energy, you may feel constantly tired and sluggish, regardless of how much you sleep.

Example: You feel exhausted throughout the day, even after getting a full night's sleep. Simple tasks that used to be easy now feel challenging and draining.

Slow-Healing Sores and Frequent Infections

High blood sugar can impair your body's ability to heal wounds and fight off infections. This can lead to slow-healing sores, cuts, and bruises, as well as frequent infections, such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and skin infections.

Example: You have a small cut on your hand that's taking weeks to heal, or you keep getting recurring infections despite taking antibiotics. The Complete Guide To Fasting Blood Sugar For Prediabetes And Diabetes

Numbness or Tingling (Neuropathy)

Over time, high blood sugar can damage the nerves, causing a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This often starts with numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the hands and feet. If left untreated, it can worsen and lead to more severe nerve damage. Your Guide To Better Diabetes Management And Blood Sugar Control

Example: You experience a pins-and-needles sensation or a burning pain in your feet, or you lose feeling in your toes or fingers.

Risk Factors and Underlying Causes

Risk Factors That Increase Susceptibility

Several risk factors increase your chances of developing high blood sugar:

• Family History: A family history of diabetes significantly increases your risk.
• Obesity: Excess weight, particularly abdominal fat, is strongly linked to insulin resistance.
• Inactivity: Lack of physical activity reduces your body's sensitivity to insulin.
• Age: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.
• Gestational Diabetes: Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Certain Medications: Some medications, such as steroids and certain antipsychotics, can raise blood sugar levels.
• Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Link Between Diet and High Blood Sugar

Your diet plays a critical role in managing blood sugar levels. Consuming high amounts of sugary foods, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar. Conversely, a diet rich in fiber, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Here's a detailed table summarizing the dietary do's and don'ts for blood sugar control:

| Category | Foods to Include | Foods to Limit/Avoid | | :----------------- | :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------- | | Carbohydrates | Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa) | Refined grains (white bread, pasta) | | | Non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, spinach) | Sugary cereals, pastries | | | Legumes (beans, lentils) | Sweetened beverages (soda, juice) | | Proteins | Lean meats (chicken, turkey) | Processed meats (bacon, sausage) | | | Fish (salmon, tuna) | Fried foods | | | Plant-based proteins (tofu, nuts) | High-fat dairy products | | Fats | Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil) | Trans fats (margarine, shortening) | | | Nuts and seeds | Excessive saturated fats | | Fruits | Berries (strawberries, blueberries) | Fruit juices | | | Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits) | Dried fruits (limit portion sizes) |

The role of insulin resistance: When cells in the body become resistant to the effects of insulin, the pancreas has to produce more insulin to compensate. This constant overproduction can lead to pancreatic burnout and eventual failure, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

Preventing High Blood Sugar

Dietary Adjustments

Making smart dietary choices is essential for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Focus on:

• Eating Fiber-Rich Foods: Fiber slows down the absorption of sugar and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• Choosing Whole Grains Over Refined Grains: Whole grains are digested more slowly than refined grains, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar.
• Consuming Lean Proteins: Protein helps stabilize blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full for longer.
• Limiting Sugary Foods and Drinks: Sugar-sweetened beverages, candies, and pastries can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar.
• Portion Control: Eating smaller portions can help prevent overeating and keep blood sugar levels in check.

Exercise and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is crucial for preventing high blood sugar. Exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, allowing your cells to use glucose more effectively.

• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
• Include strength training exercises to build muscle mass, which helps improve insulin sensitivity.

Regular Monitoring and Doctor Visits

Regular blood sugar monitoring is essential for identifying and managing high blood sugar.

• If you have risk factors for diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about getting your blood sugar checked regularly.
• If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, follow your doctor's recommendations for monitoring your blood sugar levels.

Managing High Blood Sugar: Strategies and Medical Interventions

Lifestyle Changes

Making significant changes to your lifestyle can greatly help manage high blood sugar.

• Consistent Meal Times: Eating meals at regular intervals helps maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.
• Stress Management: Chronic stress can raise blood sugar levels. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
• Adequate Sleep: Lack of sleep can impair insulin sensitivity. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night.
• Hydration: Staying properly hydrated helps your kidneys flush out excess glucose through urine.

Medications and Insulin Therapy

For some individuals, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to control high blood sugar. In these cases, medications or insulin therapy may be necessary. How To Use The Glycemic Index Gi To Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

• Oral Medications: Various oral medications are available to help lower blood sugar levels, such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and DPP-4 inhibitors.
• Insulin Therapy: Insulin therapy involves injecting insulin to help transport glucose from the blood into the cells. It's commonly used in individuals with type 1 diabetes and some individuals with type 2 diabetes.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While it's important to manage high blood sugar proactively, there are situations when you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Severe Hyperglycemia: If your blood sugar levels are extremely high (typically above 300 mg/dL) and you experience symptoms like confusion, drowsiness, rapid breathing, or vomiting, seek immediate medical attention.
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): DKA is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of ketones due to a lack of insulin. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-scented breath, and rapid breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
• Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS): HHS is another serious complication of diabetes that occurs when blood sugar levels become extremely high, leading to severe dehydration and confusion. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of HHS.

Recognizing the early warning signs of high blood sugar and taking proactive steps to manage and prevent it are essential for maintaining your health and preventing long-term complications.

By making smart lifestyle choices, such as adopting a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and monitoring your blood sugar levels, you can effectively manage high blood sugar and enjoy a healthier life. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options.

By Osamah A. Al Ali, M.B., Ch.B.