While we typically associate high blood sugar levels with diabetes, hyperglycemia alone can significantly affect your health. High blood sugar levels can result in damaged blood vessels, organs, and nerves. Without proper treatment, your blood sugar levels are unlikely to sort out. Yet, most people are unaware that they have this condition since the symptoms can often be somewhat hidden and subtle. This article will discover the eight early warning signs of high blood sugar.
Eating More Often

Having higher blood sugar levels can also lead to eating more often. When your blood sugar levels are high, then the glucose is not able to enter your cells. This could either be due to insulin resistance or a lack of insulin. When this occurs, your body struggles to convert your food into the energy it requires. Since your body feels like it is lacking energy, it will make you want to eat more in order to produce glucose. However, without medication to regulate your levels, the more you eat, the higher your levels will rise.
You Are Always Thirsty

Having high blood sugar levels will constantly make you feel thirsty. This is because it leads to a condition known as polyuria. When your blood sugar levels are too high, your kidneys have a problem getting rid of all the glucose. This makes your kidneys produce more urine to try to eliminate the excess glucose. This increase in urination can lead you to constantly feel thirsty since all the water is leaving your body.
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Constantly Urinating

This symptom is directly linked to the ‘always feeling thirsty’ symptom. As we mentioned before, the kidneys are not able to meet the demand of excess sugar levels. Urination is the only way your body can get rid of it. It’s important to keep check of how often you go to the bathroom. You could potentially have high blood sugar levels if you are going to the bathroom every hour or so. It could also potentially be a sign of more serious health issues, so it’s best to see your doctor if this symptom persists.
Feeling Chronically Fatigued

One would assume that so much sugar in your system would mean that you feel energized and awake. However, the opposite is often true with higher blood sugar levels. As mentioned before, with this condition, your kidneys struggle to absorb the glucose and convert it into energy. Without this source of energy, your body eventually grows tired and weak.
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Blurry Vision and Headaches

If you have higher blood sugar levels, you may find that your vision becomes blurry, and you can’t see things as clearly anymore. This is because high sugar levels can cause fluid to leak into your eyes. This fluid leakage changes your lens’ shape, affecting your ability to focus. High blood sugar levels are also linked to headaches that are severe enough to interfere with everyday activities such as driving and working.
Numbness or Tingling in Feet and Hands

High blood sugar levels can also lead to nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy. One of the early and often subtle signs of this is numbness or tingling in your hands and feet. Some people may also experience pain in their limbs which tends to worsen during the night. While neuropathy is more common in those diagnosed with long-term diabetes, these symptoms can arise in anyone with high blood sugar levels.
Changes in Your Skin Due to High Blood Sugar Levels

There are also outward signs of high blood sugar that you can look out for. These include changes in the skin, such as blisters, dryness, infections, discoloration, and itchiness. Insulin resistance and high sugar levels can cause thick and dark sections of soft skin to form on your neck, face, armpits, and back of the hands.
Bleeding or Swollen Gums

Another common condition associated with diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar levels is gum disease. When there is an excess of glucose in your saliva, it feeds the bacteria present in your mouth which leads to plaque. This results in gum disease which begins with inflamed gums and progresses to tooth loss.
The Bottom Line on High Blood Sugar Levels

If you need to eat something when your blood sugar is high, choose low-carb foods and drink plenty of water. Low-carb options are important during high blood sugar episodes because they won’t spike your levels further or make the situation worse. Managing blood sugar is crucial for your overall health and well-being. It’s important to learn how to recognize the early warning signs and take action to prevent complications. Eating low-carb foods, staying hydrated, and following any treatment plans can help keep your blood sugar under control. Early detection is key, so always listen to your body and consult your doctor if these symptoms persist.
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.