High Blood Sugar Symptoms & Dangers

Glucose is a common sugar present in most of the foods people consume. It is the major source of the body's energy and makes it way after it is broken down in the digestive system into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream a hormone called insulin helps the sugar gain access to cells so that it can be converted into energy. People with high blood sugar levels have problems with insulin. Their bodies don't make enough or do not properly use what insulin they have. This is a disease called diabetes and it can result in high blood sugar when not treated properly. Those with diabetes need to balance exercise, the food they eat, and their medications to maintain a healthy blood sugar level and avoid hyperglycemia.

There are some easily recognizable signs that a person is suffering from high blood sugar. They will be constantly hungry and thirsty. Dry mouth can develop, the skin can become itchy and dry ,and someone with high blood sugar can feel tired. The vision can be blurry and they will be easily prone to infections. Cuts, scrapes, and other wounds are very slow to properly heal in someone with high blood sugar and men can be subject to impotence and erectile dysfunction as a result of it.

One of the troubles that occur when an individual has high blood sugar is that they feel the need to urinate often. This is because their kidneys will react to the high amounts of glucose in the blood by trying to flush it out in the urine. This makes people with hyperglycemia urinate frequently and in larger volume than most people. That precipitates dehydration, making the person thirsty all the time. People with high blood sugar levels can lose weight even though they eat normally. The lack of insulin in the body makes the body rely on fat and muscle for energy, resulting in weight loss as they are broken down.

When the body is forced to use fat for energy rather than sugar the potential exists for a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This comes about when a chemical called a ketone is released during the fat-burning process. If enough ketones build up in the blood they can throw the person's chemical balance into chaos. Left untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can cause symptoms such as extreme abdominal pain, vomiting and an upset stomach, rapid breathing, and bad breath. The person can slip into a diabetic coma and die in some cases.

There are other serious dangers from high blood sugar. The tiny blood vessels that exist in a person's eyes can become damaged and cause vision problems. The kidneys are often at risk in someone with high blood sugar and can be damaged. This means that the kidneys will have a difficult time removing waste products and kidney failure can occur over time. It is a common occurrence for diabetics with high blood sugar to need a foot or leg amputated. Diabetes damages nerves and inhibits circulation, making infections likely and hard to fight off. This can result in permanent damage to the feet or legs and make it necessary to amputate them as they won't heal. High blood sugar also can lead to high blood pressure and elevated levels of fats in the system. This increases the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes.