Maxy sez :7 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Out of Control

Diana  RodriguezBy Diana Rodriguez Reviewed by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
A Sometimes Silent Danger
When you have type 2 diabetes, your main goal should be controlling your blood glucose (sugar). If you don’t do this and glucose levels swing up and down, you run the risk of developing serious health problems such as stroke, heart disease, and nerve damage (neuropathy).

The tricky part is that with type 2 diabetes you might not feel it when blood sugar levels are too high; hyperglycemia feels different for everyone. “Not everyone will have the same symptoms, and some individuals have no symptoms at all,” says Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, a diabetes educator and former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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.

“Symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes may not appear until prolonged hyperglycemia has been present, explains Mary Ann Emanuele, MD, an endocrinologist, professor, and medical director of inpatient diabetes at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. “It’s important for individuals with diabetes to monitor their glucose and adjust their medication based on the results.”

Keep an eye out for these seven key warning signs and symptoms that blood sugar is too high — and talk to your doctor about whether you need to adjust your management plan.
Being Extra Thirsty and Having to Urinate More than Usual
This is a common but not so obvious sign of blood sugar that is too high: feeling really thirsty and needing to drink more than usual. “Excessive urination, known as polyuria, occurs when glucose builds up in your blood, and your kidneys begin working harder to get rid of the extra glucose,” Zanini says. If your kidneys can’t keep up and adjust blood sugar so that it returns to a normal level, the excess sugar is flushed out of your body through urine, she adds. You may become dehydrated and get dizzy.
You’re Hungrier than Usual, but Losing Weight
Many people with uncontrolled high blood sugar find that they’re particularly hungry — a symptom known as polyphagia, according to the Nemours Foundation, a nation-wide nonprofit organization dedicated to children’s healthcare. And even though you’re eating more, you may be losing weight for no apparent reason, if your blood sugar levels are too high.

“Since your body is not getting energy from the preferred source, glucose, it has to turn to muscle and fat,” Zanini explains. “When your body starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy, you experience unintentional and unhealthy weight loss.” In addition to these changes in weight and appetite, you may notice weakness in your muscles and experience more frequent falls, Emanuele adds.
Tiredness and Fatigue
Fatigue and extreme tiredness are symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar that you might not think are being caused by type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) says. “Simply put, when your body is not processing insulin properly or it doesn’t have sufficient amounts of insulin, the sugar is staying in our blood rather than getting into our cells to be used for energy,” Zanini says.
Blurry Vision
You may notice that your vision isn’t as clear as it used to be and that things may appear a bit blurry. High blood sugar levels can lead to swollen lenses in your eye from fluid leaking in, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. This changes the shape of the lens, which makes it unable to properly focus, causing blurred vision. You may also find yourself having difficulty driving, struggling at work, and suffering from frequent headaches, Emanuele notes.
Sores That Heal Slowly
Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and other wounds heal more slowly because of uncontrolled blood sugar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Diabetes causes nerve damage and affects circulation, especially in the lower legs and feet, which can slow down healing because there isn’t enough blood flow to the area, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Even minor wounds are more prone to infections, which can become very serious and even result in amputations of the foot. You may notice drainage seeping onto your socks or an unpleasant smell if you develop a foot ulcer, notes the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Unusual Changes in Your Skin
Small pieces of extra skin, called skin tags, may form in the creases of skin, especially if you have diabetes and you’re trying to find ways to manage your weight, notes the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Dark, thick areas of soft skin (called acanthosis nigricans) may form on the back of the neck or hands, armpits, face, or other areas. These can be a sign of insulin resistance, Zanini says. Blisters, infections, and other discolorations and abnormalities of the skin can all be warning signs of high blood sugar. Check with your doctor if these skin changes develop.
Tingling and Numbness in Your Hands or Feet
Uncontrolled blood sugar can cause nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. What you may notice is a tingling sensation or even numbness in your hands and feet, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Some people experience pain in their hands and feet as well. Though neuropathy is most common in people who have had diabetes for a long time, it can occur in anyone with poorly controlled diabetes.