10 Telltale Signs Your Blood Sugar May be too High

If you’re living with Type 2 diabetes, managing your disease is all about controlling blood sugar levels. Now, a lot of factors come into play when trying to keep blood sugar levels in check - diet, exercise, insulin injections and other medications, and, of course, regular blood glucose testing, whether by glucose meter and test strips or using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).

For most of us with diabetes, self-monitoring our blood sugar levels is a part of daily life. We follow our doctor-prescribed testing and treatment program designed to guide our lifestyle choices, keep us informed, and make sure blood sugar levels remain in our target range. However, we are only human, and sometimes when life throws the occasional curve ball, it’s possible to skip a test or two, make the wrong food choices, or simply fall out of our testing and treatment routine for one reason or another.

It happens to the best of us, and if it happens to you it could lead to dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar. In this post, we explore some of the common signs that your blood sugar might be out of control. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the first thing you need to do is test your blood sugar right away. If you test high or low, follow your doctor-prescribed treatment plan to get things back in check, and contact your diabetes physician to see if you need to make any adjustments to your diabetes management plan. If you find your blood sugar level is dangerously high or low, and you’re not able to get it back into your target range, seek immediate medical attention.

At Diabetic Warehouse, we’re committed to making it easier for you to adhere your doctor-prescribed testing and treatment plan with a full selection of diabetic supplies at prices that are up to 65% less than local pharmacies and other suppliers. Shop for glucose meters, test strips, continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGM), lancets, insulin syringes, pen needles, infusion sets and more from leading manufacturers, such as Accu-Chek, One Touch, FreeStyle, Easy Comfort, Clever Choice, True Metrix and many others.

10 Signs your Blood Sugar may be Out-Of-Control

1. Super thirsty and have to pee a lot!

One sign your blood sugar might be spiking is excessive thirst combined with the need to pee more frequently. When blood sugar starts climbing too high, the body compensates by flushing some of that excess glucose through urination. Urinate often enough and it will leave you a little dehydrated causing you to feel thirsty. It’s important to avoid excessive dehydration as this can lead to serious complications such as ketoacidosis. So, if you’re feeling thirsty and are urinating more often than usual, check your blood sugar.

2. Things look blurry.

Elevated blood sugar can affect your vision. In fact, if your blood sugar remains high for too long it can cause fluid to seep into the eyes causing blurry vision. This is just an initial symptom. Chronically high elevations in blood sugar can lead to permanent eye damage. Blurry vision might also be a symptom of low blood sugar. The point is if your vision seems off it may be related your blood sugar level and may indicate that things are a little out of control.

3. You feel exhausted most of the time.

Feeling tired or worn out may be a symptom of uncontrolled blood sugar. When the body is unable to properly process glucose, that sugar stays in the bloodstream rather than moving into the cells where it would be used as energy. In other words, when the cells don’t get the sugar they need, you don’t get the energy you need – and that’s why you end up feeling extremely fatigued.

4. You’re eating more and losing weight.

When blood sugar levels trend higher than normal, it can cause substantial hunger. The thing is, though you might be eating more, you’re still apt to lose weight. This is because when your body can’t exchange glucose for energy, it turns to burning muscle and fat. As you start to break down muscle and fat, it triggers hunger but also contributes to weight loss. If you find yourself losing weight for no apparent reason, it could be a sign that your blood sugar is out of whack.

5. You feel dizzy or off balance.

This might be a sign you’re having a bout of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Your brain needs glucose to function properly. If your body is not properly processing blood sugar, it can cause you to feel as though the room is spinning. The remedy may be as simple as a glass of fruit juice or a few glucose tablets. However, if you experience frequent dizziness consult your doctor. You may need to adjust your medication and make some necessary lifestyle changes.

6. Hands and feet feel swollen.

Diabetes that has been out of control for quite some time can damage the kidneys and impact the body’s ability to filter wastes and fluid. As liquid build up in the body, the hands and feet may swell. In fact, this is one of the warning signs that you might have kidney disease. Of course, the best way to keep your diabetes from getting out of control is to adhere to your doctor-prescribed treatment, testing and medication plan.

7. Cuts and bruises heal slowly.

If blood sugar is not well controlled, you may notice that minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises tend to heal far more slowly. This is due to the fact that uncontrolled diabetes can impact the nerves and circulation, particularly in the lower legs and feet. This delays healing because not enough blood is able to reach the damaged area of the body. What’s worse, when wounds don’t heal as quickly, you are at a far greater risk for infection. If you notice slow-to-heal cuts, especially if you find ulcers on the feet, see your doctor right away.

8. Frequent or recurring infections.

This is a common symptom of high blood sugar. Infections may come in the form of gum disease, urinary tract infections, fungal infections of the skin, sinus infections, pneumonia, and yeast infections in women.

9. Numbness in the hands and feet.

Neuropathy (nerve damage) is a common condition that can be caused by chronically elevated blood sugar levels. Most often, this is accompanied by numbness or tingling in the hands and/or feet. You might also notice an odd  inability to feel hot and cold temperature changes, or even an inability to sense pain. This lack of sensation can be dangerous because a person might not realize an injury has occurred, which increases the risk of serious infection.

10. Skin looks different.

If you’re living with diabetes and notice changes in your skin, it might be a warning sign that your blood glucose levels are too high. You might develop blisters or excessive dryness accompanied by itchiness. You might also develop a thick patch of velvety raised skin called acanthosis nigricans, which often forms around the neck area. Abnormalities of the skin may indicate elevated blood glucose levels. If you experience them, test your blood sugar, and contact your doctor.

We hope you found this post informative. At Diabetic Warehouse, we’re committed to keeping you up to date with the latest news and tips on living with diabetes. We’re also committed to helping you stick to your diabetes testing and treatment program by saving you up to 65% on doctor-recommended diabetic supplies from leading manufacturers, such as Accu-Chek, OneTouch, FreeStyle, DexCom, Easy Comfort, Clever Choice, True Metrix and many others.

Visit us online to save on glucose meters, test strips, lancets, insulin syringes, pen needles, infusion sets, urinalysis test strips, and all your diabetic accessories. Enjoy free delivery to your home or office with every order. Hear what our satisfied customers have to say and start saving now at diabeticwarehouse.org.

Diabetic Warehouse is a trusted supplier of diabetes care products and accessories. For more information and to explore a complete range of products, including glucose meters and test strips, insulin syringes, pen needles, continuous glucose monitoring systems, and more, visit www.diabeticwarehouse.org.