Symptoms and Signs of High Blood Sugar

4 min readJun 20, 2024

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High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is a condition that could occur with anyone, but most especially when one has diabetes as a medical condition. Identifying the symptoms and signs of high blood sugar is important in maintaining your health and avoiding further complications.

More info about the “What is Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar?” is provided in this link.

Keywords

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Common Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

1.Frequent Urination (Polyuria) — The most common high blood sugar symptom that may occur is when there is a need to urinate more often than normal. When blood contains excess glucose, it prompts the kidneys to filter out the extra glucose and pass it through urine.

2.Increased Thirst (Polydipsia) — Due to the frequent urination, the body tends to be dehydrated, and excessive thirst strikes in. This may lead to exhaustion as your body tries to regain its fluids to bring back your body to its normal state.

3.Fatigue — High blood sugar levels interfere with your body using glucose efficiently for energy, making you tired and lethargic despite getting enough rest.

4.Blurred Vision — High glucose can swell the lenses of your eyes, leading to blurry vision, and even discomfort. Once blood glucose returns to a more normal range, this symptom often settles.

5.Headaches — Headache can be a symptom of fluctuating blood sugar levels. This symptom may result from either high or low blood sugar levels, so it is necessary to check glucose levels when headache symptoms arise.

6.Slow-Healing Wounds — High blood sugar can impair your body’s natural healing process, leading to slow-healing cuts and sores. This is particularly concerning for individuals with diabetes.

7.Unexplained Weight Loss — When your body cannot utilize the glucose, it begins to break down muscles and fat for fuel. The result is the inexplicable weight loss even when one has normal or even increased food intake.

8.Increased Hunger (Polyphagia) — Even though your blood sugar is high, your body may not be able to use it effectively, leading to persistent hunger and increased food intake.

Other Signs to Watch For

Tingling or Numbness in Extremities — High blood sugar can damage nerves over time, causing tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

Recurrent Infections — Hyperglycemia can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, especially of the skin, gums, and urinary tract.

Dry Mouth and Skin — Dehydration caused by high blood sugar can lead to a dry mouth and itchy, dry skin.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience severe symptoms of hyperglycemia, especially in combination such as the following:

Extreme thirst
Frequent urination
Nausea
Shortness of breath

Seek medical attention immediately!!!

These symptoms including fruity-smelling breath, nausea, vomiting, and confusion can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment).

Take Away

High blood sugar symptoms and signs need to be timely identified for effective intervention. A person who is well informed and able to monitor health conditions can avoid complications and live a better quality of life.

The Help You Might Need

Perhaps this is the blood sugar support that is compatible to your body.

The Vitality for Life® Berberine Glucose Support is provided in this link.