The signs of high blood sugar levels often fly under the radar and 8 out of 10 people do not even realise that they have high blood sugar levels. The signs of high blood sugar levels are often overlooked by many and you are not the only one. Sometimes, the simplest of symptoms like frequent fatigue, headache, and frequent urination are often overlooked but in reality, these might be an indication of high sugar levels.
While diabetes is quite common, it can be managed if proper treatment and precautionary measures are taken at the right time. Patients with high blood sugar levels need to follow a proper diet and lifestyle along with taking prescribed medicines regularly.
In this article, we have shared several early symptoms of diabetes that everyone should be aware of. But before moving on to the main topic, let’s have a look at what diabetes actually is.
A Brief About Diabetes
A person becomes diabetic when his/her blood sugar level rises from a normal level. This can happen due to insulin resistance or the body’s inability to create insulin. The first case leads to Type 2 diabetes while the second case leads to Type 1 diabetes. It should be noted that Type 1 diabetes is generally diagnosed during childhood as Type 1 diabetes is mainly inborn. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes develops as the person ages and is mostly seen in people above the age of 50.
However, individuals can also be at a prediabetes stage, wherein the blood sugar level is higher than the normal level yet not that high to fall under the Type 2 diabetes category. Patients who are prediabetic are in the best stage as at this stage diabetes can be controlled easily by following a few lifestyle changes.
Early Signs of High Blood Sugar Levels
Following are the high sugar symptoms that you should never overlook:
1. Frequent Urination
Topping the list, frequent urination is one of the most common early diabetes symptoms that most individuals with diabetes go through. As the level of sugar in the blood increases, the kidneys are not able to filter/absorb sugar effectively and release the excess sugar through urination frequently along with water. Due to this, the urge to urinate increases and one has to go to the bathroom more frequently. If you notice an increase in the urge to urinate for a considerable period, you need to consult a doctor.
2. Frequent Fatigue
The feeling of tiredness can happen because of several reasons. It can be due to work stress, personal stress, and other lifestyle-related reasons. But if you notice tiredness regularly or even in the mornings before your day starts, it might be an early sign of Type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, if you feel like taking a nap or feel exhausted after taking your lunch, it can mean you are at a prediabetes stage. Also, if people with prediabetes consume a lot of sugar and carbs daily, it can lead to fatigue. As a precautionary measure, you should keep a check on what you eat and your overall lifestyle.
3. Increase in Thirst
As mentioned earlier, people with diabetes tend to urinate frequently. And the natural effect of frequent urination/loss of water is getting thirsty often. As you urinate, your body loses water and gets dehydrated.
4. Blurred Vision
The effects of high blood sugar levels are not only restricted to frequent urination and fatigue, but they can also hamper other unexpected areas of the body. The eyes are one such organ that gets affected due to high blood sugar levels in the body. It damages the small blood vessels in your eyes which results in a swelling in the tissues of eyes that may cause blurring of vision. If the blood sugar levels in the body get controlled, your vision will improve.
5. Headaches
7 out of 10 diabetic patients experience a headache. Blurred vision plays a chief role in this frequent headache. Also, dehydration can lead to a headache. However, headaches can happen from various things and circumstances. But if you are experiencing frequent unexplained blurred vision and headaches, you should get yourself checked immediately.
6. Increased Hunger
As the blood sugar level in the body increases, your body constantly tries to excrete this excess sugar through urination. During this, the body also expels a lot of glucose that you receive from eating food. As a result, you might end up feeling hungrier more often. This is the very reason why diabetic patients are asked to eat a small quantity of food frequently and not skip any meal of the day.
7. Unexplained or Unnatural Weight Loss
Type 2 diabetic patients often go through unexplained weight loss due to the body’s tendency to discharge excess glucose. How? That’s because glucose is the largest source of energy in your body. When the body releases glucose, it is unable to use it for the required energy. As a result, the body naturally starts burning muscles and fats, leading to unexplained weight loss. You will also notice your skin sagging and losing its elasticity.
Foods to Avoid in High Blood Sugar
Following are the drinks and foods to avoid with high blood sugar:
1. Sugary Beverages
Any kind of sugary beverages such as packaged fruit juices, colas, sodas, or other carbonated drinks should be strictly avoided by patients who have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. These drinks also have fructose which causes insulin resistance in the body.
2. Foods with Trans Fat
Any kind of artificial trans-fat should be strictly avoided by people dealing with high sugar levels. Foods that include trans-fat are margarine, spreads, peanut butter, sour cream, whipped cream, and frozen foods. These are often added to packaged cookies, crackers, or muffins. Therefore, one should always check the packaging details before purchasing any such food item.
3. Foods Made with Refined Grains
White bread, pasta, rice, or noodles are a big NO for diabetic patients. These foods contain refined flour and are processed. Therefore, they are high on carbs. Any kind of refined-flour food has shown a significant increase in blood sugar levels in individuals who are diabetic. Rather, you can opt for whole-grain alternatives.
4. Sweetened Yoghurt and Breakfast Cereal
Any kind of food item that is artificially flavoured has a good quantity of sugar in it. Therefore, flavoured yoghurts and breakfast cereals should be avoided by diabetic patients.
5. Dried Fruits
Fruits have natural sugar in them and this kind of sugar is not harmful to health. However, canned or readymade dried fruits tend to lose water during the processing period. As a result, there is more sugar content and less water.
Conclusion
“Prevention is always better than cure”. With that being said, every individual should be careful about the signs and symptoms the body tries to tell at the early stage of any disease. Such signs and symptoms should never be neglected. While there are different causes of high blood sugar and the causes vary from individual to individual, as responsible people, we need to lead a proper healthy lifestyle to combat the occurrence of such diseases.
