What can alert you to high blood sugar?

Hyperglycemia is a condition where blood sugar is too high—specifically above 7.0 mmol/l.

However, typical symptoms of hyperglycemia are often manifested only from values of 10-15 mmol/l. With glycemia above 15 mmol/l, it can already be a life-threatening condition, as it can lead to greater dehydration of the body and life-threatening acidification of the blood – ketoacidosis.

Hyperglycemia occurs most often for two reasons:

the pancreas has a problem with the production of the necessary amount of insulin – the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels
the body cannot use insulin properly

Whatever the reason, it is necessary to see a doctor and solve the problem.

Prediabetes is a serious warning that diabetes may be coming

Health

If you don’t know your blood glucose level, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms that can alert you to a problem even without it.

Polydipsia, or excessive thirst

If you constantly have a dry mouth and an excessive need to drink water, this may be a symptom of hyperglycemia. With the help of water, the body tries to regulate the level of sugar in the blood.

Skin lesions

High blood sugar can also affect the skin, which can cause lesions, coffee stains on the legs, facial redness and very dry skin all over the body. Nails, palms and soles may also turn yellow.

Bruises may also appear on someone’s body, which do not want to be absorbed for a long time. In this case, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible to avoid damage to the blood vessels.

Mood swings

Hyperglycemia can also cause mood swings. While some may be more irritable and grumpy, others may become depressed. The point is that blood sugar levels affect chemical processes in the brain, including our emotions.

Drowsiness and weakness

With hyperglycemia, the cells are unable to absorb blood sugar effectively, so a person may experience a loss of energy and feel weak, extremely tired or sleepy.

At this moment, it is important to focus on the composition of the menu and include more vegetables in it, in order to obtain high-quality vitamins and minerals, or to provide the body with all the nutritionally necessary substances by adding dietary supplements.

Slow wound healing

A high blood sugar level negatively affects coagulation (blood clotting). Because of this, wounds heal more slowly and bruises can form on the body.

Impaired eyesight

With hyperglycemia, damage to veins and vessels in the retina, macula (yellow spot) and optic nerve can occur. Individuals may then suffer from: blurred vision, dark spots in the field of vision, pain around the eyes, problems with focusing.

Sexual problems

Damage to nerves and blood vessels can also cause sexual dysfunction. In men, hyperglycemia can cause problems with erection, retrograde ejaculation (during ejaculation, part or all of the semen flows through the bladder instead of the penis). Women may then suffer from vaginal dryness, reduced libido or painful intercourse.