Spikes in blood sugar levels can feel different for everyone. “Not everyone will have the same symptoms, and some individuals will have no symptoms at all,” says Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, a Los Angeles-based dietitian and author of The Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed.
1. You Urinate More Than Usual and Are Very Thirsty
2. You’re Hungrier Than Usual but Losing Weight
In addition to these changes in weight and appetite, you may notice weakness in your muscles and experience more frequent falls, Dr. Emanuele says.
3. You Constantly Feel Tired and Fatigued
4. You Have Noticeably Blurry Vision and Frequent Headaches
High blood sugar levels can change the shape of your eye lens, making it hard to focus properly and causing blurry vision. As a result of these vision changes, you may have a hard time working and driving. You may also experience frequent headaches, Emanuele says.
Your vision may go back to normal once your blood sugar is well managed. If you experience any eye-related symptoms, it’s important to speak with your healthcare team for treatment.
5. You Develop Sores That Heal Slower Than Usual
Diabetes causes nerve damage and affects circulation, especially in the lower legs and feet. Nerve damage can delay wound healing because there isn’t enough blood flow to the area. This can increase your risk of foot ulcers, which can become infected. In serious cases, you may need to have your foot amputated to stop the infection.
Do daily foot checks to detect foot issues early on. If you notice any redness, swelling, or sores, tell your healthcare team. You may notice drainage seeping onto your socks or an unpleasant smell if you develop a foot ulcer.
6. You Notice Tingling and Numbness in Your Hands or Feet
Having high blood sugar over time can cause nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy. This causes symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain, and it most commonly presents in the hands, legs, and feet.
Some people may experience mild symptoms, while for others the symptoms can be very painful and significantly interfere with daily life. Nearly half of people with diabetes have diabetic neuropathy.
7. You Develop Blisters, Dryness, or Other Skin Changes
8. You Get Yeast Infections More Often Than Usual
“We’re also seeing [yeast infections] happen a little more now with patients who take SGLT2 inhibitors, which force the body to expel more glucose through the urine,” Dr. Bandukwala says. Examples of SGLT2 inhibitors include empagliflozin (Jardiance) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga).
9. You Have Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Gum disease, which causes swollen, red, and inflamed gums, is a complication of diabetes. Your saliva contains glucose. And the more it has, the more there is to feed the bacteria that combine with food in your mouth to form plaque and cause gum disease.
If not treated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, pus and ulcers between the gums, and pain when chewing. Gum disease can also make diabetes harder to manage, causing inflammation and higher blood sugar levels.
When to Check Your Blood Sugar Levels
How frequently you should monitor your blood sugar is based on a number of factors, including whether you’re taking insulin or oral medications, how well your blood sugar is managed, and your age.
“In general, I tell my patients with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is controlled that they don’t need to check it every day,” Bandukwala says. “If they have a glucometer and they want to check it, then I will tell them they can do a paired reading once a week, which means a fasting (before eating) reading and then another reading one to two hours after a meal (postprandial).”
If you’re looking to avoid the pain associated with standard glucometers and the decisions about when to check your levels, consider talking with your doctor about a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This medical device tracks your blood sugar in real time and sends measurements to your smartphone or other device. It can also identify patterns, which you can share with your doctor, and notify you if your blood sugar is too high or low.
The Takeaway
- The symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include unusual thirst and hunger, fatigue, vision changes, infections, changes to the skin, and nerve damage in the hands and feet.
- These complications will vary considerably from one person to another, and can develop slowly or rapidly.
- Long-term high blood sugar can contribute to diabetes complications, including vision loss, kidney disease, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. It’s important to treat the symptoms of hyperglycemia as warning signs.
- Managing your blood sugar is crucial. Ask your doctor how often you should monitor your blood sugar and what your target range should be.
Additional reporting by Diana Rodriguez and Andrea Peirce.
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