Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination Excess blood sugar causes the kidneys to work harder to filter and absorb the excess sugar. When they can't keep up, the excess sugar is excreted into the urine, dragging fluids from the tissues with it. This triggers more frequent urination, which may leave you dehydrated and feeling more thirsty than usual.
Unexplained Weight Lo Despite eating more than usual to satisfy hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to metabolize glucose for energy, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is excreted in the urine.
Increased Hunger High blood sugar levels can cause rapid fluctuations that may lead to sudden feelings of hunger. Even after you eat, you might feel hungry again as the body's ability to use glucose for energy is impaired.
Fatigue Feeling unusually tired or fatigued can be caused by insufficient sugar moving from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. When there's not enough energy being supplied to the cells, it results in a feeling of fatigue and tiredness.
Blurred Vision High levels of blood sugar can pull fluid from the lenses of your eyes, affecting your ability to focus. This can lead to blurred vision and if left untreated, can cause permanent damage to the eye.
Slow-Healing Sores or Frequent Infection High blood sugar levels can impact blood flow and cause nerve damage, which can slow down the healing process. People with high blood sugar often notice that cuts and wounds take longer to heal than expected. They are also more prone to infections.
Tingling, Pain, or Numbness in the Hands or Feet This symptom is known as neuropathy. Excess sugar in the blood can lead to nerve damage over time, primarily affecting the extremities. You may feel a tingling sensation or numbness in your hands or feet, which can become quite severe.
If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor for a blood sugar test. Diabetes problems can be avoided with early detection and treatment. Type 2 diabetes can be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes and monitoring.