high blood sugar symptoms: 7 symptoms that indicate your blood sugar is too high
Hyperglycemia is a silent condition that needs to be paid attention to. If left untreated, it can cause diabetes. This is why it is fundamental to know the symptoms described in this article.
Blood sugar called glucose is the main source of energy for cells in our body. This type of sugar is present in flour, honey, carrots, rice, among others.
This energy source is used to perform important body functions such as digestion, heart pumping, and the synapse, among others. The sugar level in our blood must be between 70 and 110 mg/dl, in order to benefit from all its benefits without negative health consequences.
An increase in the level of glucose in the blood, which corresponds to hyperglycemia, damages several organs.
When the glucose present in the blood exceeds 180 mg/dl, diabetes mellitus is diagnosed.
It is essential that patients who suffer from it be under strict medical supervision, as this diabetes can lead to serious complications.
What is hyperglycemia?
We talk about hyperglycemia when the blood sugar level exceeds 140 mg/dl. This condition can appear for two specific reasons:
the pancreas has problems producing enough insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar
the body cannot use insulin properly
In both cases, it is essential to consult a doctor, so that he prescribes the medicines to take, and he tells you the changes to adopt in your diet as well as the amount of physical exercise to practice.
Symptoms that indicate your blood sugar is too high
Hyperglycemia has symptoms that are difficult to detect without a minimum of attention. It is best to have a medical checkup every six months to diagnose a possible change in the body in time.
The test to measure blood glucose levels is generally inexpensive and simple. A light bite is enough to get a drop of blood.
1. Polydipsia
Polydipsia is the urgent and exaggerated need to drink water, which is usually accompanied by a feeling of dry mouth.
It is important that you drink water as soon as you need to because thirst is the body’s need to normalize the glucose level in the body.
However, keep in mind that the problem will persist as long as the blood sugar level remains high. To remedy this, practice a daily exercise routine and take the medications prescribed by your doctor.
2. Lesions on the skin
Too much sugar in the blood can cause skin lesions such as coffee-colored spots on the legs as well as redness on the face, and promote dryness of the skin.
In addition, the nails, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet can take on a yellowish color.
If you notice bruising that goes away after a few days, see your doctor. Do not ignore this problem, as it can be a symptom of venous damage.
3. Mood swings
Those with hyperglycemia often experience severe mood swings, such as irritability or depression.
Emotions depend on the chemical processes of the brain; these processes are influenced by the blood sugar level.
4. Weakness and drowsiness
As cells are unable to efficiently absorb sugar from the blood, the energy produced decreases. This results in the appearance of the following symptoms:
- a feeling of muscle weakness
- extreme fatigue
- a state of drowsiness
- fainting spells
To reduce these symptoms, it is important to consume enough fresh vegetables providing quality vitamins and minerals. If the problem is more serious, your doctor can advise you on certain dietary supplements.
5. Slow healing of wounds
Hyperglycemia causes severe impairment of blood clotting. This deterioration is manifested by the appearance of bruises and bruises on the skin, as well as by slow healing of the wounds.
If you notice that your wounds are bleeding more than usual, and it takes a while for your scars to disappear, there are steps you should take. When your blood glucose level returns to normal, this symptom will go away.
6. Vision problems
The small arteries and veins in the retina, the macula lutea (or yellow spot), the vessels in the retina, and the head of the optic nerve usually suffer damage as a result of hyperglycemia.
Here are some examples of problems:
- blurred vision
- the presence of dark spots in the visual field
- pain in the eye area
- difficulty discerning distant objects with lateral or peripheral vision
Regular visits to the ophthalmologist can help identify these problems and prevent the blood sugar level from rising dramatically.
7. Sexual problems
Damage to the nerves and blood vessels as a result of high blood sugar causes different changes in sexual function, both in women and in men.
In men, hyperglycemia can cause the following dysfunctions:
- an inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough to have sex
- retrograde ejaculation, ejaculation during which the semen circulates towards the bladder instead of leaving by the end of the penis
In women, hyperglycemia can cause the following dysfunctions:
- vaginal dryness
- absence or decreased sexual desire
- painful intercourse
Do you have these symptoms? If this is the case, do not ignore them and go to your doctor as soon as possible.
hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is defined as blood sugar (blood sugar) above the target values for the majority of people with diabetes, namely:
- above 7 mmol / L, on an empty stomach or before a meal
- above 10 mmol / L, two hours after the start of a meal
It occurs when the amount of insulin in the blood is insufficient or ineffective. Because glucose (sugar) cannot enter cells due to a lack of insulin, it builds up in the blood and raises blood sugar.
Symptoms
In some people, hyperglycemia may go unnoticed. However, beyond a certain threshold, too high blood sugar can lead to the appearance of the following symptoms:
- tired
- abundant urine
- intense thirst
- exaggerated hunger
- involuntary weight loss
- irritability
- dizziness
The causes
The main causes of hyperglycemia are:
- a higher carbohydrate diet than usual
- a decrease in physical activity
- insufficient insulin and/or anti-diabetic medication (dosage error or missed dose)
- physical (illness, surgery, infection, etc.) or psychological (bereavement, new job, moving, etc.) stress
- taking certain medications (e.g. cortisone)
Two lesser-known phenomena, the dawn phenomenon, and the Somogyi effect can also cause hyperglycemia.
Prevent hyperglycemia
In most cases, hyperglycemia can be prevented by taking the following precautions:
- measure blood sugar regularly
- follow the diet plan drawn up with a dietitian/nutritionist
- take insulin or diabetes medication as prescribed
- adjust insulin according to medical prescription
The treatment
In the presence of symptoms of hyperglycemia, the diabetic person must take the following measures:
- measure blood sugar more frequently
- for type 1 diabetics: if the blood sugar level is higher than 14 mmol / L, check for the presence of ketones in the urine or in the blood
- drink water regularly to prevent dehydration
- adjust insulin according to medical prescription
- identify the cause of hyperglycemia and take appropriate action, if possible
Emergency situations
See a doctor immediately if one or more of these situations arise:
- No liquids are tolerated due to vomiting or diarrhea;
- There is a change in the person’s state of consciousness, such as confusion, agitation, lack of reaction to stimulation, hallucinations or unusual behavior;
- There are signs of dehydration: dry mouth, hollow eyes, less elastic skin, etc .;
- Body temperature has been above 38.5 ° C for more than 48 hours.
In people with type 1 diabetes:
The blood sugar level is higher than 14 mmol / L and there are ketone bodies:
- in urine: “medium” to “high” level (value above 4 mmol / L)
- in the blood: value above 1.5 mmol / L
Blood sugar is greater than 20 mmol / L with nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain
In people with type 2 diabetes:
- The blood sugar level is above 25 mmol / L with excessive drowsiness.
These symptoms could indicate a hyperglycemic emergency.
14 Symptoms That Indicate You Have Too Much Blood Sugar!
Excessive blood glucose levels cause a condition known as hyperglycemia, in other words, high blood sugar levels.
This condition has a wide range of symptoms even in its early stages, so it’s important to be aware of it.
If you have frequent stomach upset, are constantly hungry, or gain weight even if your calorie intake is limited, this could be a sign of the first symptoms of hyperglycemia.
Keep in mind that even healthy people experience high sugar levels after consuming sweets, cakes or sodas. However, if these levels remain elevated for prolonged periods, they could lead to diabetes or other serious health problems.
Recognizing the first signs at the right time can prevent severe complications and stabilize blood sugar levels, keeping them under control.
Hyperglycemia can result from various factors, here are the most common causes:
- Stress
- Bad nutrition
- Lack of regular exercise
- Taking certain medications
- Some health conditions
Hyperglycemia doesn’t necessarily mean you have diabetes, but it is one of its symptoms. Indeed, patients with hyperglycemia sometimes experience no symptoms.
In this regard, we list the most common symptoms of hyperglycemia:
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Constant hunger
- Gastric disorders
- Slow healing of gashes and wounds
- Blurry vision
- Increased feeling of thirst
- Dry and itchy skin
- Constant or extreme fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excess abdominal fat/weight gain
- Nerve problems
- Frequent urination / or urination at night
- Recurrent infections
- Incapacity
It is recommended that you consume foods with a low glycemic index in order to reduce these symptoms.
The glycemic index is a system that measures carbohydrates according to the rate of glycemic response, ranking foods on a scale (1 to 100) according to their effects on blood sugar levels.
In other words, the scale assesses foods according to the extent to which they increase the blood sugar level after their consumption.
The scale starts from 0 to 100 and the higher values relate to foods that increase blood sugar levels quickly. Pure glucose is on a scale of 100.
Foods with a high glycemic index are digested quickly and foods with a low glycemic index are digested slowly. Foods with low glycemic indexes have been shown by experts to have many health benefits and lower insulin levels as well as insulin resistance, which prevents increased blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycemia is an abnormal increase in blood sugar levels. Most often linked to diabetes, it can also occur in case of infectious or hepatic diseases or inflammatory syndromes.
Hyperglycemia, what is it?
Definition
Blood sugar is the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Hyperglycemia is characterized by a blood sugar level greater than 6.1 mmol / l or 1.10 g / l), measured on an empty stomach. This hyperglycemia can be transient or chronic.
When fasting blood sugar is greater than 7 mmol / l (1.26 g / l), the diagnosis of diabetes is made.
causes
The most common cause of chronic hyperglycemia is diabetes. Hyperglycemia can also occur in infectious or hepatic diseases or inflammatory syndromes. Hyperglycemia is common in the acute phase of serious illnesses. It is then a reaction to stress (hormonal and metabolic abnormalities).
Medicines can also induce transient hyperglycemia, even diabetes: corticosteroids, certain treatments of the nervous system (especially so-called atypical neuroleptics), anti-virals, certain anti-cancer drugs, diuretic drugs, hormonal contraceptives …
Diagnostic
The diagnosis of hyperglycemia is made on the measurement of fasting blood sugar (blood test).
The people concerned
The frequency of fasting hyperglycemia increases regularly with age (1.5% in 18-29-year-olds, 5.2% in 30-54-year-olds and 9.5% in 55-74-year-olds) and is about twice as high in men as in women (7.9% versus 3.4%).
Risk factors
The risk factors for hyperglycemia due to type 1 diabetes are a genetic predisposition, for type 2 diabetes, a genetic predisposition associated with overweight/obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure …
Symptoms of hyperglycemia
When it is mild, hyperglycemia usually does not cause symptoms.
Beyond a certain threshold, hyperglycemia can be signaled by various signs:
- Thirst, dry mouth
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Fatigue, drowsiness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
These signs may be accompanied by cramps, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Weight loss
Chronic hyperglycemia causes significant weight loss while the person suffering from it has no loss of appetite.
Symptoms of untreated chronic hyperglycemia
Untreated diabetes can lead to nephropathy (kidney damage) leading to kidney failure, retinopathy (retinal damage) leading to blindness, neuropathy (nerve damage), artery damage.
Treatments for hyperglycemia
Treatment for hyperglycemia depends on the cause.
Treatment for hyperglycemia consists of a suitable diet, regular physical exercise, and monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors.
When there is diabetes, treatment is based on diet and diet rules, taking hypoglycemic drugs and injecting insulin (type 1 diabetes, and in some cases type 2 diabetes).
When hyperglycemia is linked to taking medication, stopping the medication or reducing the dose most often makes the hyperglycemia go away.
Prevention of hyperglycemia
Screening for hyperglycemia, essential in people at risk
As early hyperglycemia does not usually give symptoms, it is essential to have regular blood sugar checks. A blood sugar control is recommended from the age of 45 in people with risk factors (family history of diabetes, BMI over 25 …).
The prevention of hyperglycemia linked to type 2 diabetes requires regular physical activity, the fight against overweight, a balanced diet. This is all the more important in case of a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Too much blood sugar: what does that mean?
The blood sugar level is called blood sugar. “It can be worrying when it exceeds 1.10 grams of sugar per liter of blood,” reveals Dr. Pierre Nys, endocrinologist. “If it reaches 1.15 or 1.20 g / L in a person with family history and Android obesity *, great care will have to be taken,” added the doctor. These hyperglycemia values may indeed indicate prediabetes, a condition defined by higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not enough to establish the diagnosis of diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed by “fasting blood sugar above 1.26 g / L twice”.
Hypoglycemia: One of the challenges of diabetes
When you have to live with diabetes on a daily basis, you know the importance of keeping your sugar level (so-called “blood sugar”) within a specific range. To function normally, the body needs a certain amount of sugar, which is called glucose. Blood sugar is the measure of the amount of glucose in the blood, usually expressed in millimoles/liter (mmol / L). In people living with diabetes, blood sugar levels are abnormally high, which can have negative consequences for many aspects of health. So the goal of treatment and other measures that we put forward in diabetes management is to lower the blood sugar to the desired range.
However, it can also happen that the blood sugar is too low, as is the case in the presence of hypoglycemia. The blood sugar level then decreases below 4 mmol / L. Since they lower blood sugar, certain drug treatments, such as insulin, for example, can cause an excessive drop in blood sugar, which is called hypoglycemia. The prevention of hypoglycemia is one of the most important issues in the management of diabetes.
Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
When you live with diabetes, it is best to monitor your blood sugar level closely, thanks to a small electronic device called the blood glucose meter. This device can notify you if you have an episode of hypoglycemia; it will give you a result probably below 4 mmol / L. In addition, if you are hypoglycemic, you may experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- tremors;
- weakness;
- hunger;
- tingling sensation on the skin;
- confusion;
- sweat;
- tired;
- difficulty expressing yourself;
- heart palpitations;
- drowsiness;
- nausea;
- difficulty concentrating;
- anxiety;
- headache;
- dizziness.
Hypoglycemia can also occur during sleep. The main symptoms are nightmares and sweating. During a severe episode, there may be loss of consciousness, risk of falling, and in more severe cases, coma. Symptoms can be very different from one person to another. It is therefore important for people at risk of developing hypoglycemia to learn to recognize and treat this problem.
Risk factors
Most episodes of hypoglycemia occur in patients living with diabetes. However, it is possible that a healthy person may have hypoglycemia under certain circumstances. For example, skipping meals can significantly lower blood sugar levels and cause unpleasant symptoms.
In people with diabetes, there are several reasons for hypoglycemia, including:
- lack of education on hypoglycemia and its treatments;
- advanced age;
- presence of kidney or liver failure;
- exercise not planned;
- skipped or delayed meal;
- alcohol intake in the absence of adequate food intake;
- taking other medications; medication dosage error, especially insulin.
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