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What are the Symptoms of High Blood Sugar?

Nat Robinson
Nat Robinson

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when blood glucose levels are elevated. In many cases, there is a direct cause of a person developing high blood sugar, although there are cases in which there is an unknown cause. This condition can be very dangerous to the point of being life-threatening, especially in an individual with diabetes. The symptoms of high blood sugar can greatly vary, but can include vision changes, fatigue, thirst, frequent urniation, and difficulty concentrating. Most people will develop at least one signal indicating a rise in their blood glucose level.

Many things can potentially cause high blood sugar. For a diabetic, failing to adequately take insulin medication may cause this to happen. Unhealthy eating habits, such as overeating or consuming foods high in carbohydrates, can also be contributing factors. Additionally, a recent illness, surgery, or a lack of exercise can cause a person's blood sugar to go up.

High blood sugar can cause concentration difficulties.
High blood sugar can cause concentration difficulties.

The symptoms of high blood sugar will be different in each individual. Some people have changes in vision, meaning that it may become blurry or his or her vision may start to diminish for a period of time. Other high blood sugar symptoms may include fatigue, becoming increasingly thirsty, having a frequent need to urinate, and a dry mouth. The skin may also become irritated and itch sporadically.

Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.

Confusion and a failure to concentrate can be symptoms as well. A person may get a headache, become disoriented, and forget where he or she is. When an individual experiences these high blood sugar levels symptoms, it is an indication that he or she needs immediate medical attention. While waiting for the medical assistance, the person should sit down to keep from fainting and getting hurt.

Extremely high blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness.
Extremely high blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness.

There are some additional serious symptoms of high blood sugar levels that should promptly be attended to, including extreme drowsiness, breathing difficulties, and a loss of consciousness. The person may temporarily become unconscious. When the individual gets to the point of fainting or losing consciousness, he or she may be in threat of going into a diabetic coma. In this event, an ambulance should be called, because this is an emergency situation.

Most diabetic patients need to receive daily insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.
Most diabetic patients need to receive daily insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.

To prevent high blood sugar, a person may try to eat more healthy. This will mean decreasing the intake of sugars and foods high in starches and other carbohydrates. Weight management may also be a good source of treatment. For this reason, incorporating exercise as part of daily activities can also be helpful. Diabetics on insulin can treat high blood sugar by taking their medication as prescribed by a healthcare professional, without missing a dose.

Discussion Comments

Sunny27

Cafe41- I did not know that. I also want to say that there are about six million people that are at risk for diabetes and really need to get medical attention so that they don’t develop the disorder.

cafe41

Sunny27- Great point, but I wanted to add that many women experience gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes only occurs during a woman’s pregnancy. A blood glucose test is administered after the fourth month of pregnancy.

The pregnant patient has to fast for 12 hours before taking the test. During the test, the patient is given a sugary drink that tastes like an orange soda.

The blood sugar testing should rise rapidly and then decline within normal levels within two hours. If after that point, if the patient still has an elevated blood sugar rating after the two hours, then the patient is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

But gestational diabetes ends when the pregnancy does, so it is not a chronic condition.

Sunny27

Great article- I just want to add that there are a few different types of diabetes diagnosis. For example, Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body eliminates cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when sugar builds up in the blood and the body does not either product the right amount of insulin, or the body does not uses insulin properly. Most people diagnosed with diabetes have the latter form of the disease.

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    • High blood sugar can cause concentration difficulties.
      By: Wojciech Sobiech
      High blood sugar can cause concentration difficulties.
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