What Are the Dangers of High Blood Sugar?

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when there's too much glucose in the blood. This can happen when your body doesn't produce enough insulin (in the case of Type 1 diabetes) or when your body doesn't use insulin properly (in the case of Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance). While occasional spikes might not be a huge concern, consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to a variety of serious health problems. Understanding these dangers is crucial for managing your health, especially if you're at risk for or have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Short-Term Risks of High Blood Sugar

Even in the short term, high blood sugar can cause unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms. It’s important to recognize these signs so you can take action to bring your levels back to a safe range.

• Frequent Urination (Polyuria): When blood sugar is high, the kidneys try to flush out the excess glucose through urine. This can lead to needing to urinate frequently, especially at night.
• Increased Thirst (Polydipsia): Because frequent urination leads to dehydration, you'll likely experience increased thirst. This is your body's way of trying to replenish lost fluids.
• Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can cause fluid to be pulled from the lenses of your eyes, leading to blurred vision. This is usually temporary but can be disruptive.
• Fatigue: Your body has difficulty using glucose for energy when your blood sugar is high, resulting in persistent fatigue and weakness.
• Headaches: Elevated blood sugar can sometimes trigger headaches.
• Increased Susceptibility to Infections: High glucose levels create an environment where bacteria and yeast thrive, making you more prone to infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, and yeast infections.
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): This is a serious complication that occurs when the body starts breaking down fat for energy because it can't use glucose due to a lack of insulin. DKA is more common in Type 1 diabetes but can also occur in Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fruity-smelling breath, and rapid breathing. DKA requires immediate medical attention.

Long-Term Complications of Chronic Hyperglycemia

The most significant concerns regarding high blood sugar arise from its long-term effects. Chronically elevated glucose levels can wreak havoc on various systems throughout your body.

• Cardiovascular Disease: High blood sugar damages blood vessels and increases the risk of developing heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Diabetes doubles the risk of heart disease.
• Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Consistently high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish your nerves, especially in the hands and feet. This can lead to numbness, tingling, pain, and loss of sensation (peripheral neuropathy). Nerve damage can also affect digestion, heart rate, and other bodily functions.
• Kidney Damage (Nephropathy): The kidneys filter waste from the blood. High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to function properly. Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Eye Damage (Retinopathy): Similar to nerve damage, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). This can lead to diabetic retinopathy, which can cause blurred vision, floaters, dark spots, and even blindness.
• Foot Problems: Nerve damage and poor blood flow caused by high blood sugar increase the risk of foot problems, including foot ulcers, infections, and even amputation.
• Skin Conditions: People with high blood sugar are more prone to skin infections, bacterial infections, and fungal infections. Conditions like diabetic dermopathy (small, brownish, scaly patches on the skin) are also more common.
• Hearing Impairment: Studies have shown a link between diabetes and hearing loss.
• Alzheimer's Disease: Research suggests that high blood sugar and diabetes may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
• Slow Wound Healing: High glucose levels can impair the body's ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of infections and complications.

Factors That Contribute to High Blood Sugar

Understanding the causes of high blood sugar can help you take steps to prevent it. Some common contributors include:

• Diabetes: The most common cause. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin.
• Diet: Eating a diet high in carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks, can lead to spikes in blood sugar.
• Lack of Physical Activity: Exercise helps the body use glucose for energy. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to insulin resistance and high blood sugar.
• Stress: Stress hormones can increase blood sugar levels.
• Illness: When you're sick, your body may release hormones that raise blood sugar levels.
• Certain Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids and certain diuretics, can increase blood sugar.
• Pancreatic Problems: Conditions affecting the pancreas, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, can impair insulin production.
• Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery. However, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Managing and Preventing High Blood Sugar

Managing high blood sugar is a critical part of staying healthy, especially if you have diabetes or prediabetes. A combination of lifestyle changes and medical interventions is often required.

• Monitor Your Blood Sugar Regularly: Use a blood glucose meter to check your blood sugar levels regularly, as recommended by your doctor. This will help you understand how different factors affect your blood sugar and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
• Follow a Healthy Diet: Choose a balanced diet that's low in processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates. Focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. Work with a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator to develop a personalized meal plan.
• Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Exercise helps your body use glucose for energy and improves insulin sensitivity.
• Take Medications as Prescribed: If you have diabetes, take your medications as prescribed by your doctor. This may include insulin, oral medications, or other treatments to help lower your blood sugar.
• Manage Stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can improve insulin sensitivity and lower your blood sugar.
• Get Regular Checkups: See your doctor regularly for checkups and screenings for diabetes-related complications.

Key Symptoms and Effects Summarized

Here's a summary table outlining key symptoms, short-term and long-term effects of high blood sugar.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It's essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• High Blood Sugar Levels That Persist Despite Efforts to Lower Them: If you're unable to lower your blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, or medication, contact your doctor.
• Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing. This is a medical emergency.
• Signs of Severe Dehydration: Extreme thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination, dizziness, confusion.
• Any New or Worsening Symptoms: Such as blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, or unexplained weight loss.

Understanding the dangers of high blood sugar empowers you to take control of your health and reduce your risk of developing serious complications. By monitoring your blood sugar, making healthy lifestyle choices, and working closely with your healthcare team, you can live a long and healthy life, even with diabetes.