Fatigue and extreme tiredness are symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar, the ADA says. Also, frequent urination can lead to dehydration, which Bandukwala identifies as another contributing factor to fatigue. Because blood sugar management is so important to your overall health with type 2 diabetes, you need to take action if you think your levels may be out of control, even if you’re feeling totally fine. People with prediabetes, or a blood sugar level that’s higher than normal, usually don’t have any signs or symptoms of the illness. If you have high blood sugar, your doctor or care team may ask you to test your blood or pee to check for ketones. People can experience high blood sugar levels in the morning, especially if they have diabetes.
Extreme fluctuations in blood sugar (glucose), whether too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia), can be dangerous for people with diabetes. Low blood sugar levels happen when there’s too little glucose left in the bloodstream to continue supplying fuel to your organs, muscles, and tissues. It most often occurs when you don’t eat enough food, especially carb-containing foods, given your blood-sugar-lowering medications and physical activity levels, O’Neill says. High blood sugar—or hyperglycemia—occurs when an individual’s glucose levels rise to 240 mg/dL or higher. If untreated, hyperglycemia may lead to ketoacidosis, a condition commonly known as diabetic coma. Even people without known diabetes or prediabetes can experience blood sugar spikes.
High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can have various physical and emotional effects on your body. Here are some common symptoms that you may experience when your blood sugar levels are too high:
Your saliva contains glucose; and the more it contains, the more there is to feed the bacteria that combine with food in your mouth to form plaque and cause gum disease. If they are unaddressed, they can progress to periodontitis, which can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, the appearance of pus or ulcers, or even tooth loss, notes the Mayo Clinic. Get your blood sugar under control and see a dental professional to prevent damage to your gums and teeth.
Physical Symptoms
If you have hyperglycemia, this typically means you have diabetes. You may have hyperglycemia episodes a lot if you live with diabetes. When you have too much sugar in your blood, “your kidneys start trying to pour out more sugar to get rid of it. And as they excrete the sugar, they pull out water with it,” Dr. Hatipoglu explains.
Your blood carries glucose to all of your body’s cells to use for energy. Hyperglycemia usually means you have diabetes, and people with diabetes can experience hyperglycemia episodes frequently. If your blood sugar is high for too long, it can damage the vagus nerve, which helps move food through your stomach and intestines. You might have trouble with acid reflux, cramps, vomiting, and severe constipation. As glucose builds up in your blood, your body tries to get rid of it through your urine.
- Frequent urination: High blood sugar levels can cause your kidneys to work harder to filter the excess glucose from your blood, leading to increased urination.
- Extreme thirst: Excessive urination can leave you dehydrated, causing you to feel constantly thirsty.
- Fatigue: When your cells are unable to receive the energy they need due to high blood sugar levels, you may feel tired and lethargic.
- Blurred vision: High blood sugar can affect the lenses in your eyes, leading to temporary vision problems.
Emotional Symptoms
- Irritability: Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can impact your mood, making you feel easily frustrated or agitated.
- Anxiety: High blood sugar levels can also trigger feelings of anxiety or nervousness.
- Poor concentration: Difficulty focusing or concentrating is a common symptom of high blood sugar.
- Confusion: In severe cases, very high blood sugar levels can lead to confusion or disorientation.
