High blood sugar may not get as many headlines as health concerns like Covid, heart disease and cancer. But chronic high blood sugar (commonly known as diabetes) is a silent epidemic in the United States, a condition that can cause serious and potentially fatal health consequences. To protect yourself, check your blood sugar regularly and be aware of possible signs that it’s high.
These are some sure signs that your blood sugar is too high. If you notice any of them, it is worth contacting your doctor, according to the “eat this not that” specialized medical website:
1- frequent urination
One of the most common signs of high blood sugar is urinating more than is normal for you. This happens because when sugar (glucose) builds up in the bloodstream, the body tries to expel it through the urine. If you are urinating more than usual, it is a good idea to see your doctor.
2- thirst
Another common symptom of high blood sugar is frequent thirst. Increased urination can cause dehydration on two fronts – urinating more often deprives the body of fluid, and blood sugar actually filters fluid away from the tissues when it leaves the body. This can lead to increased thirst and drinking more water may not satiate it.
3- Fatigue
Blood sugar is often chronically elevated because the body has become resistant to insulin, the hormone that helps cells use sugar for energy. With this energy source deficient, a person with high blood sugar may feel fatigued frequently.
4- Frequent hunger and unexpected weight loss
People with high blood sugar may feel hungry more frequently, and may lose weight despite eating more. This is because the body, deprived of energy from glucose, requires more food to use as fuel. Chronic high blood sugar can also lead to unexpected weight loss, as the body may start burning fat stores for energy.
5- Tingling and numbness
Chronically high blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body; It is a condition called diabetic neuropathy. The most common form is peripheral neuropathy, which affects the feet, legs, hands and arms. It can result in tingling, burning, numbness, decreased sensitivity to pain or temperature, or sharp pains or cramps in the affected areas. Symptoms tend to be worse at night.
6- Blurred vision and frequent headaches
High blood sugar levels can cause the lenses of the eyes to swell and distort, resulting in blurred or double vision. Diabetes can cause blood vessels in the retina to leak, or new abnormal blood vessels to grow, leading to vision problems. This is called diabetic retinopathy.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, diabetic neuropathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults.