High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can develop when the body doesn’t have enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Some people have mild symptoms, while others may not notice anything until levels are quite high.
Common signs of too much blood sugar:
- Increased thirst
- Feeling unusually thirsty or needing to drink more than normal.
- Frequent urination
- Especially waking up at night to urinate.
- Increased hunger
- Feeling hungry even after eating because glucose is not being used properly for energy.
- Fatigue and weakness
- Low energy, tiredness, or feeling sluggish.
- Blurred vision
- High glucose levels can affect the lenses of the eyes temporarily.
- Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections
- High blood sugar can affect the immune system and wound healing.
- Tingling or numbness
- Long-term high blood sugar can damage nerves, often causing symptoms in the feet and hands.
- Unexplained weight loss
- More common when blood sugar is very high and the body begins using fat and muscle for energy.
Seek urgent medical care if high blood sugar is accompanied by:
- vomiting,
- severe weakness,
- confusion,
- trouble breathing,
- severe dehydration,
- fruity-smelling breath.
If you’re concerned about blood sugar, a simple blood test such as fasting glucose or HbA1c can help show whether levels are in the normal, prediabetes, or diabetes range.
