|
Do you have a Blood Sugar problem?
• Are you rarely alert within 20 minutes of rising?
• Do you need a cup of tea, coffee, a cigarette or something sweet to get you going in the morning?
• Do you often feel drowsy or sleepy during the day, or after meals?
• Do you fall asleep in the early evening or need naps during the day?
• Do you avoid exercise because you do not have energy?
• Are you experiencing decreased energy levels?
• Do you suffer from night sweats or frequent headaches?
If you answered, “yes” to most of these questions, then there is a high
possibility that your blood sugar levels are unstable and that it is important
to have your blood sugar levels tested.
A high blood sugar level itself is a symptom of diabetes.
However, an individual experiencing hyperglycemia may have no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms can include:
• Dry mouth
• Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Urination during the night
• Blurry vision
• Dry, itchy skin
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Weight loss
• Increased appetite
If hyperglycemia persists for several hours and leads to dehydration,
other symptoms may develop, such as:
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness upon standing
• Rapid weight loss
• Increased drowsiness and confusion
• Unconsciousness or coma
Left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to a condition called ketoacidosis,
also known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or diabetic coma.
This occurs because the body has insufficient insulin to process glucose
into fuel, so the body breaks down fats to use for energy.
When the body breaks down fat, ketones are produced as by-products.
Some ketones are eliminated via the urine, but not all. Until the patient is rehydrated, and adequate insulin action is restored, ketones remain in the blood.
Ketones in the blood cause nausea, headache, fatigue, or vomiting.
Ketoacidosis is life-threatening and demands immediate treatment.
Symptoms include:
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Breath that smells fruity
• Stomach pain
|