- Frequent Urination (Polyuria): This is one of the most common and earliest signs of high blood sugar. Your kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar. When they can’t keep up, the sugar is excreted in your urine, pulling fluids from your tissues along with it.
- Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia): Because you’re urinating so frequently, your body loses a lot of fluids, which triggers a feeling of intense thirst. This creates a cycle: you urinate more, which makes you feel thirstier, so you drink more.
- Increased Hunger (Polyphagia): Despite eating, your cells aren’t getting the glucose they need for energy. This sends a signal to your brain that you are hungry, even after a meal.
- Fatigue: When your cells can’t use glucose for energy, your body becomes starved for fuel. This leads to a constant feeling of tiredness and weakness, no matter how much you rest.
- Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can cause the lens of your eye to swell, affecting your ability to focus. This can make your vision blurry and is often one of the first signs people notice.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: When your body can’t get energy from glucose, it starts to break down muscle and fat for fuel, leading to rapid and unexplained weight loss.
- Slow-Healing Wounds: High blood sugar can impair blood circulation and nerve function, making it difficult for your body to heal cuts, bruises, and infections.
- Frequent Infections: High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, especially urinary tract infections (UTIs) and yeast infections.
- Tingling or Numbness in Hands or Feet: High blood sugar can damage nerves, a condition known as neuropathy. This can lead to a tingling, prickling, or numb sensation in your hands, feet, and legs.
- Dry, Itchy Skin: High blood sugar can lead to poor circulation and damage to blood vessels, which can cause dry and itchy skin.
- Fruity-Smelling Breath: If hyperglycemia becomes severe and is left untreated, your body may start burning fat for energy, producing a byproduct called ketones. This can lead to a sweet, fruity odor on your breath.
- Nausea and Vomiting: A buildup of ketones in your blood can also lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition that causes nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Headaches: Elevated blood sugar levels can affect your brain and cause frequent or severe headaches.
- Difficulty Concentrating: High blood sugar can lead to confusion and difficulty concentrating, as your brain is not getting the glucose it needs to function properly.
What to Do If You Experience These Symptoms
If you recognize several of these symptoms, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional immediately. A simple blood test can confirm if you have hyperglycemia. Left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to irreversible damage to your nerves, kidneys, eyes, and heart.
Making informed choices about your diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and, if necessary, seeking medical treatment can help you manage your blood sugar levels and lead a healthier life. Don’t ignore these warning signs—your health is your most important asset.
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