9 critical signs that your blood sugar level is too high - don't ignore the symptoms!
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Have you ever felt like something was wrong with your body, but weren't sure what was causing it? When something feels wrong in the body, we usually experience symptoms. Symptoms are the body's way of letting us know there is a problem.
On the surface, blurred vision, slow wound healing, and unrelenting hunger don't seem like something to dwell on. But if you put them together, you might be able to find out what's really going on. These are all symptoms of high blood sugar.
Blood in the human body naturally contains sugar in the form of glucose. The right amount of sugar in the blood provides energy to the cells and organs of the body. In order to maintain a healthy level of blood sugar, the body needs insulin. Insulin is a hormone that takes the sugar in the blood and distributes it to the cells.
In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. In those who suffer from type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin but does not use it properly.
What causes high blood sugar?
When you're sick and stressed, the body produces hormones that fight disease and stress. This can cause high blood sugar. Other causes of high blood sugar are:
Not enough insulin or diabetes medication
Excessive consumption of carbohydrates
Not doing enough sports
Diseases or infections
Injuries or surgeries
Certain medications
When the blood sugar level is too high, problems begin to arise. Over time, blood vessels become damaged, which can lead to complications. High blood sugar can eventually cause a heart attack or stroke, kidney disease or kidney failure and damage to the eyes or even loss of vision.
The skin may also be damaged. Identifying the symptoms at an early stage can prevent irreversible damage.
1. Feeling of numbness / tingling
High blood sugar can cause numbness or tingling in the hands, legs and feet. It is caused by diabetic neuropathy, which is a complication of diabetes.
2. Incessant hunger
Without a balanced level of blood sugar that provides energy to the body, you may feel the need to eat all the time as the body looks for alternatives to the energy it needs.
3. Going to the bathroom very frequently
A high level of blood sugar reaches the kidneys and urine, which attracts even more water. This leads to the need to go to the bathroom all the time.
4. Increased thirst
Along with going to the bathroom, sugar in the kidneys and urine leads to constant thirst.
5. Unexplained weight gain or loss
When the body's cells don't get enough glucose, the body burns muscle and fat instead to get energy. This can cause unexplained weight loss. The same goes for weight gain.
6. Exhaustion
When your body's cells can't get blood sugar for energy, you'll feel exhausted.
7. Difficulty concentrating
When your body is out of balance, your mind suffers too. A high blood sugar level causes difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
8. Slow recovery
High blood sugar causes nerve damage. If you notice cuts or sores that heal very slowly, it would be a good idea to check your blood sugar.
9. Dizziness / blurred vision
Never ignore dizziness and blurred vision, especially if they occur suddenly. High blood sugar can be the cause of these symptoms.
