High blood sugar is something you probably hear a lot these days. It can be regulated and it should be often checked because it can lead to serious health issues.
The main energy source which our body needs is glucose, and this level is indicated by the levels of sugar in our blood. Basically, out of everything we eat, our body dissolves it to glucose and then uses it as a “power supply” for survival and daily activities.
High blood sugar, or medically referred to as hyperglycemia usually appears when the organism isn’t fully capable of processing the glucose properly, or it can occur if the body doesn’t have enough amounts of glucose.
This other condition is also known as type 1 diabetes. Don’t be fooled – if these conditions stay untreated, they can seriously harm your body, mostly your kidneys, blood vessels, and all the nerves in your organism!
Here are the most common medically stated symptoms of high blood sugar
1. You’ve got brain fog
Much like cars need gas, the human body requires fuel in order to operate optimally. Glucose is the fuel that powers the body, and when there isn’t enough insulin to move that fuel through the body properly, the body doesn’t get the power it needs. That often leads to general fatigue and trouble concentrating.
2. Everything’s blurry
When blood sugar levels are too high, the lens of the eye swells, making vision blurry. Lowering the blood sugar should return vision to normal. Diabetics are recommended to receive regular eye exams for this reason, as extended and severe high blood sugar can cause permanent damage, even blindness
3. You’ve got cotton mouth
When your kidneys can no longer filter out glucose, the body becomes dehydrated. And while a little thirst may seem like a minor inconvenience, over time dehydration damages the body and leads to other symptoms, including a spike in blood sugar levels as the body revs up adrenaline, a natural insulin blocker.
4. You’re hitting the bathroom—a lot
Although it seems illogical, increased thirst is related to frequent urination. When blood sugar is high, the body directs excess fluid to the kidneys, causing them to work overtime to filter the blood and produce extra urine output. Since increased thirst may lead to increased drinking, you might not notice at first, but if urine output seems to be more than what you’d expect based on what you’re drinking, it may point to high blood sugar.
5. Scrapes and bruises are sticking around
Having high blood sugar can slow the natural healing processes of the body. When blood sugar is high, arteries stiffen, causing a narrowing of blood vessels and decreased blood flow throughout the body. In turn, blood does not reach wounds as quickly, so they get less oxygen and nutrients to help fight infection and promote healing. Wound ulcers are common when blood sugar is too high.
6. You could use a nap
Because high blood sugar causes the body to waste glucose, the fuel that normally powers the body, you may feel tired. It’s even worse if you’re also waking up multiple times during the night to pee. If you start reaching for high-carbohydrate snacks to boost your flagging energy, you’ll only further hike your blood sugar levels in a vicious cycle.
7. Your pants are looser
Although it might seem like a positive side effect, weight loss caused by high blood sugar is extremely unhealthy. When weight loss results from high blood sugar, it’s because the body turns to burning fat instead of using glucose for energy, and because large amounts of glucose leave the body through urine. If you’re losing weight without changing your diet or exercise habits, it could be a sign of high blood sugar.
References: thehealthy.com, healthy-cares13.blogspot.com
