1. Constant thirst
When your blood sugar levels are high, your kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar. This can lead to dehydration, causing you to feel constantly thirsty.
2. Frequent urination
This is another sign of high blood sugar. It might not seem so bad at first, but it could be one of the more dangerous signs that your blood sugar is too high. When glucose remains in the body for an extended period, it can draw water from almost any organ, causing it to shrink slightly.
Water loss leads to dryness throughout the body, including the bladder, causing you to urinate more frequently than usual. You may need to urinate up to 20 times a day, even when your body doesn't need water. This is especially true for people with kidney problems already compromised by diabetes.
Adequate fluid intake is an important part of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels throughout the body. Therefore, make sure you drink enough fluids every day.
3. Extreme hunger
While increased hunger might seem like a sign of low blood sugar, it can also indicate high blood sugar levels and complications with glucose transport into cells for use. If the body can't effectively utilize the glucose in the blood, it signals to the brain that more food is needed, making you feel hungrier than usual.
4. Fatigue and weakness
When there is an excess of glucose in the body, the kidneys have to work harder, leading to fatigue and exhaustion. Drowsiness and lightheadedness can also result.
Furthermore, hormonal changes associated with high blood sugar levels can lead to fatigue. The adrenaline that the body produces when energy is needed is often lacking due to the elevated glucose levels, which can contribute to lethargy or exhaustion.
5. Blurred vision
High blood sugar levels can cause the lenses in your eyes to swell, leading to blurred vision. If you notice changes in your vision, it may be time to check your blood sugar levels.
6. Slow-healing wounds
If you notice that wounds and bruises are healing slowly, this could indicate an imbalanced blood sugar level. High blood sugar weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections and hindering the speed of recovery from injuries.
7. Common infections
High blood sugar levels can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections such as gum, skin, or urinary tract infections. If you find yourself getting infections more often than usual, this could be a sign of high blood sugar.
8. Numbness and tingling
Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands can be a sign of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar. This condition, known as diabetic neuropathy, is more common in people with persistently high blood sugar levels.
9. Irritability and mood swings
This typically manifests itself in changes in hormone levels in the body, which can be caused by an excess of glucose in the body.
Low serotonin levels are often responsible for such feelings. So, if you notice that you're becoming more emotional than usual, it could also mean that something is wrong with your insulin levels. However, it's not always easy to see where these changes will lead at first, as they develop gradually over a longer period.
People with diabetes are much more likely to experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety than people without diabetes, and are more likely to suffer from other mental health problems, including memory loss and further cognitive decline.
