What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Sugar? 11 Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

23 Aug 2025

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Sugar? 11 Warning Signs You Can't Ignore High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when your body has ...

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Sugar? 11 Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when your body has too much glucose in the blood. It's a common concern for individuals with diabetes, but it can also affect those without a diagnosed condition. Recognizing the symptoms of high blood sugar is crucial for prompt management and preventing potential complications. In this article, we'll explore 11 warning signs you shouldn't ignore.

Understanding High Blood Sugar

Before diving into the symptoms, it's important to understand what constitutes high blood sugar. Generally, a blood sugar level higher than 130 mg/dL before a meal or higher than 180 mg/dL two hours after a meal is considered high. Consistent or prolonged hyperglycemia can lead to serious health problems.

11 Warning Signs of High Blood Sugar

Here are 11 symptoms of high blood sugar that warrant attention:

  1. Frequent Urination (Polyuria): When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys work overtime to filter out the excess glucose. This process leads to frequent urination, as your body tries to get rid of the sugar.

  2. Increased Thirst (Polydipsia): Because frequent urination causes dehydration, you'll likely experience increased thirst. This is your body's way of trying to replenish the fluids it's losing.

  3. Unexplained Weight Loss: High blood sugar can prevent your body from properly using glucose for energy. As a result, your body may start burning fat and muscle for fuel, leading to unexplained weight loss. This is often seen in cases of undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes.

  4. Increased Hunger (Polyphagia): Even though your blood sugar is high, your cells might not be getting the energy they need. This can trigger increased hunger, as your body tries to find more fuel.

  5. Blurry Vision: High blood sugar can cause fluid to be pulled from the lenses of your eyes, affecting your ability to focus and leading to blurry vision. This is typically temporary but can become more severe with prolonged hyperglycemia.

  6. Fatigue: When your cells aren't getting enough glucose for energy, you may feel tired and sluggish, even after getting enough sleep. Fatigue is a common symptom of both high and low blood sugar.

  7. Related reading: The Link Between Stress And Your Daily Blood Sugar Range

    Slow-Healing Cuts and Sores: High blood sugar can impair your body's ability to heal, making cuts and sores take longer to heal. This is because hyperglycemia can affect blood flow and nerve function.

  8. Dry, Itchy Skin: Dehydration from frequent urination can lead to dry, itchy skin. High blood sugar can also damage nerves, potentially contributing to itching sensations.

  9. Frequent Infections: High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and skin infections.

  10. Numbness or Tingling in Hands and Feet (Neuropathy): Over time, high blood sugar can damage nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands and feet. This condition is known as diabetic neuropathy.

  11. Headaches: Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can trigger headaches. While not always indicative of high blood sugar specifically, frequent headaches can be associated with poorly managed blood sugar levels.

What to Do If You Experience These Symptoms

If you experience several of these symptoms, especially if they are persistent or severe, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. They can perform blood sugar tests to determine your levels and provide appropriate recommendations for management. For individuals with known diabetes, checking blood sugar regularly and adjusting medication or lifestyle habits as advised by your doctor is vital.

Management and Prevention

Managing high blood sugar typically involves a combination of:

  • Dietary Changes: Following a balanced diet that's low in processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates is essential. Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
  • Medication: People with diabetes may require medication, such as insulin or oral medications, to help manage their blood sugar levels. It's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
  • Regular Monitoring: Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly helps you understand how your body responds to different foods, activities, and medications. This information is invaluable for effective management.

Complications of Untreated High Blood Sugar

Related reading: Your Guide To Post Meal Blood Sugar What S Normal And What S Not

Ignoring the symptoms of high blood sugar can lead to serious long-term complications, including:

  • Cardiovascular Disease: High blood sugar increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
  • Kidney Damage (Nephropathy): Prolonged hyperglycemia can damage the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure.
  • Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): As mentioned earlier, high blood sugar can damage nerves, causing pain, numbness, and other problems.
  • Eye Damage (Retinopathy): High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
  • Foot Problems: Nerve damage and poor blood flow increase the risk of foot problems, such as ulcers and infections, which can sometimes lead to amputation.
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): DKA is a serious complication that can occur when the body doesn't have enough insulin to use glucose for energy. It's characterized by a buildup of ketones in the blood and can be life-threatening.

Key Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

While both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve high blood sugar, they have different causes and often present different symptoms.

Related reading: Your A1C Blood Sugar Chart What Do The Numbers Mean

Feature Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes
Cause Autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.
Onset Typically develops in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. Usually develops in adulthood, often associated with lifestyle factors.
Insulin Dependence Requires insulin injections for survival. May require insulin, but can often be managed with diet, exercise, and oral medications.
Weight Loss Often presents with rapid and significant weight loss. May be associated with weight gain or obesity.
Ketones More prone to developing DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). DKA is less common but can still occur in severe cases.

The Role of Diet in Managing Blood Sugar

Diet plays a critical role in managing blood sugar levels. Focusing on a balanced diet with the right nutrients can help maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent hyperglycemia.

Food Group Recommendation Example Foods
Carbohydrates Choose complex carbohydrates over simple sugars. Whole grains, brown rice, quinoa, oats
Proteins Include lean protein sources in every meal. Chicken, fish, tofu, lentils, beans
Fats Opt for healthy fats such as unsaturated and omega-3 fats. Avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil
Fruits and Vegetables Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, prioritizing non-starchy options. Spinach, broccoli, berries, apples
Beverages Avoid sugary drinks and opt for water, unsweetened tea, or herbal teas. Water, unsweetened tea, herbal infusions

Conclusion

Recognizing the symptoms of high blood sugar and taking prompt action is essential for preventing complications and maintaining overall health. Whether you have diabetes or not, paying attention to these warning signs and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly impact your well-being. Consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your blood sugar levels or experience any of these symptoms. Early detection and proactive management are key to living a healthy life.