Your body has a remarkable way of sending you signals when something isn’t right. Aches, pains, and fatigue are all messages that deserve our attention. One of the most important, and often misunderstood, sets of signals relates to your blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar can be a quiet problem at first, but its effects can become serious if left unaddressed. Whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes, have prediabetes, or are simply concerned about your health, understanding the signs of high blood sugar is a crucial step in protecting your long-term well-being. This guide will walk you through the key symptoms.
What Is High Blood Sugar?
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, happens when your body does not use insulin properly or does not make enough insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose (sugar) from food enter your cells for energy. When glucose stays in your bloodstream instead of entering your cells, blood sugar levels rise. Most doctors consider blood sugar high when fasting glucose is over 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) or post-meal levels are above 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L).
If high blood sugar happens once in a while, it may not be an emergency. But repeated episodes can lead to serious problems like nerve damage, eye damage, heart disease, and kidney disease. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and to talk with your healthcare provider if they show up.
Early Signs of High Blood Sugar
In the beginning, the symptoms of hyperglycemia can be subtle and easy to dismiss as stress or a normal part of aging. However, if you experience several of these signs consistently, your body is trying to tell you something important.
1. Frequent Urination (Polyuria)
One of the first signs of high blood sugar is needing to urinate more often, especially at night. When excess sugar builds up in the blood, the kidneys work harder to filter and absorb the extra. When they can’t keep up, the sugar spills into your urine, pulling fluids from tissues and causing you to urinate more.
2. Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)
As you lose more water through urination, your body tries to replace it, making you feel very thirsty. This can lead to drinking more fluids than usual.
3. Fatigue
When your cells cannot take in glucose effectively, your body runs out of easy energy. This can make you feel tired, weak, or irritable. Fatigue is a very common symptom of high blood sugar and prediabetes.
4. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar can cause fluid to shift in and out of the lens of your eye, making it hard to focus. Vision changes may come and go and often improve once blood sugar is controlled.
5. Headaches
High glucose can trigger headaches in some people, especially when levels jump up quickly. While headaches can have many causes, consistent high blood sugar is one possible trigger.
Symptoms of More Severe High Blood Sugar
If blood sugar remains high over time, symptoms may become more noticeable and serious. These include:
1. Unexplained Weight Loss
Even though you may be eating normally or more than usual, your body may start breaking down muscle and fat for energy because it can’t use glucose effectively. This can lead to weight loss.
2. Slow-Healing Sores or Frequent Infections
High blood sugar can weaken your immune system and reduce blood flow, making cuts and wounds heal slowly and increasing the risk of infections. These may include skin infections or yeast infections.
3. Dry Mouth and Dry Skin
Dehydration from frequent urination can lead to persistent dry mouth and itchy or dry skin.
4. Tingling or Numbness (Neuropathy)
High blood sugar can damage nerves, especially in the hands and feet. This may cause tingling, burning, or numbness, a condition called diabetic neuropathy.
What Causes High Blood Sugar?
High blood sugar can result from multiple factors:
Diabetes
People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are most prone to high blood sugar because their bodies have difficulty producing or using insulin.
Diet
Eating large portions of carbohydrates, sugary drinks, or refined foods can spike blood sugar.
Stress and Illness
Physical or emotional stress can raise blood sugar, even in people without diabetes.
Medications
Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can increase blood glucose levels.
Inactivity
Lack of physical activity can reduce the body’s ability to use glucose effectively.
How Is High Blood Sugar Diagnosed?
High blood sugar is diagnosed with blood tests, such as:
- Fasting blood glucose test
- Hemoglobin A1C test (shows average blood sugar over 2–3 months)
- Oral glucose tolerance test
Your provider will recommend the best test based on your situation.
Managing High Blood Sugar
Lifestyle changes can help control blood sugar:
- Healthy diet with balanced carbohydrates and fiber
- Regular physical activity
- Weight management
- Medication or insulin, if prescribed by your doctor
Your provider can create a personalized plan based on your needs.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Listening to your body is key. The timeline for seeking help depends on the severity of your symptoms.
- Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment If: You are persistently experiencing any of the early warning signs mentioned above (thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, etc.). Early diagnosis and intervention are critical.
- Seek Immediate Medical Help If: You experience severe symptoms like confusion, fruity-smelling breath, extreme drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. These could be signs of a life-threatening condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires emergency care.
How an Endocrinologist at Hilltop Endocrinology Can Help
While your primary care physician is a great starting point, an endocrinologist is a specialist in hormones and metabolism: the systems at the very heart of blood sugar regulation. At Hilltop Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, we offer:
- Accurate Diagnosis: We use advanced testing to get a clear picture of what’s happening inside your body.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We work with you to create a comprehensive plan that may include lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin therapy.
- Preventing Complications: Our primary goal is to help you control your blood sugar to protect your long-term health and prevent the serious complications of diabetes.
Don’t ignore the signals your body is sending you. If the signs of high blood sugar are familiar, taking action is the most important thing you can do for your health.
Are you experiencing these symptoms? Schedule a comprehensive evaluation with us by calling (301) 567-9570.
FAQs
What is considered high blood sugar?
Blood sugar above 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) when fasting or above 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) after eating is generally considered high.
Can high blood sugar cause headaches?
Yes, high blood sugar can trigger headaches, especially if levels rise quickly.
How quickly can high blood sugar cause symptoms?
Symptoms may appear gradually, but very high levels can cause noticeable signs within hours.
Is high blood sugar the same as diabetes?
Not always. High blood sugar can occur with stress, certain medications, or illness, but persistent high levels are often a sign of diabetes.
What should I do if my blood sugar is high?
Contact your healthcare provider for guidance. If your blood sugar is very high and associated with symptoms like vomiting or confusion, seek emergency care.
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Do You Need an Endocrinologist for Hypothyroidism?
