High Blood Sugar Symptoms You Should Never Ignore—Plus How To Naturally Lower a Spike
- Woman's World
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Learn when you can manage your levels at home and when to seek emergency help
Nearly half of all adults in the United States have either prediabetes or diabetes, according to the CDC, and many others without the conditions have started monitoring their glucose levels. Unmanaged high blood sugar can lead to serious health issues in the long term, such as neuropathy, heart disease and even stroke. That’s why it’s smart to know the warning signs early, before complications occur. Here, we break down the high blood sugar symptoms you should never ignore, plus what to do if you’re experiencing a glucose spike.
What causes high blood sugar?
“High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, typically refers to a situation in which blood glucose levels rise above 130 mg/dL when fasting or 180 mg/dL after meals,” explains Brynna Connor, MD, a family medicine physician in Austin, TX, and the Healthcare Ambassador at NorthwestPharmacy.com. (Learn what a normal blood sugar reading is for your age here.)
The most common causes, she adds, are insulin deficiency, insulin resistance or inadequate insulin dosing in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. But these aren’t the only triggers. Other non-diabetes causes may include stress, infection, illness (some genetic conditions are associated with insulin resistance, as are some pancreatic conditions), meals that are high in carbohydrates and a lack of physical activity.
“Certain medications, such as corticosteroids or some diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and chlorthalidone, can also contribute to high blood sugar,” notes Dr. Connor.
Symptoms of high blood sugar you should never ignore
What happens if you have high blood sugar levels? “Chronic high blood sugar is one of the primary indicators of diabetes, and if left untreated, high blood sugar can damage the eyes [diabetic retinopathy], kidneys, nerves and/or cardiovascular system,” Dr. Connor says. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms of high blood sugar.
Early symptoms of hyperglycemia may include:
Increased thirst or hunger
Frequent urination
Headache
Blurred vision
If your blood sugar stays high for a longer period without treatment, more serious high blood sugar symptoms can develop, including:
Fatigue
Weight loss
Vaginal yeast infections
Skin infections
Slow-healing cuts or sores
Those who have diabetes or have dealt with high blood sugar in the past likely have a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or glucose meter that you can use to check your levels. If you notice any of the above symptoms, it’s worth taking a measurement to see if you need to take steps to lower your blood sugar, like those below.
How to lower high blood sugar naturally
The best strategy for lowering high blood sugar is going to depend on the context, says Dr. Connor. For starters, if you have prediabetes, were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or are experiencing high blood sugar as a result of one of the non-diabetes causes above, Dr. Connor says lifestyle changes can help. These include:
Adjusting your diet to limit the intake of simple carbohydrates
Making sure you’re adhering to a course of medication treatment as prescribed
Getting regular physical exercise
For people with diabetes who take insulin, administering the correct dose would be the first step to lower high glucose levels. “Hydrate with water to flush extra glucose,” Dr. Connor suggests, adding that moving around a little can also help bring high blood sugar levels down.
Finally, if you have type 1 diabetes, it’s worth checking your ketone levels if your blood sugar is high enough that you’re experiencing symptoms. Ketones, a byproduct of fat breakdown as a reaction to insulin deficiency, make your blood more acidic. Blood ketone strips or urine ketone strips can be used to check your levels and make sure they aren’t getting dangerously high.
When to call a doctor about high blood sugar symptoms
“It’s important to note that in individuals with type 1 diabetes, high blood sugar can progress to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening emergency,” says Dr. Connor. With diabetic ketoacidosis, a lack of insulin combined with a very high amount of ketones in your blood causes the blood to become acidic, which can lead to coma or even death.
In addition to the symptoms above, someone experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis would have symptoms such as:
Nausea and vomiting
Dehydration
Abdominal pain
Labored breathing or hyperventilation
Fruity-smelling breath
Rapid heartbeat
Feeling confused or disoriented
Loss of consciousness
“In an emergency, such as someone in DKA or a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state [extremely high blood sugar in someone with type 2 diabetes], call 911,” Dr. Connor urges. “These conditions require hospitalization, IV fluids, insulin and close monitoring by a healthcare professional.”
More ways to keep your blood sugar steady:
Comments