Diabetes: Signs and Symptoms of Blood Sugar Levels

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 23.6 million people-or 7.8 percent of the United States-are diabetics. With diabetes, a person's blood glucose level, also known as the blood sugar level, measures how well the diabetes treatment is going. More importantly, having a safe blood glucose level is important to maintaining good health. There are signs and symptoms affecting a person's body which indicates when blood sugar is too high or low. However, testing to confirm blood glucose levels is extremely important.

Dangerously High Blood Sugar Levels

Hyperosmolar Syndrome extremely serious and develops when blood sugar levels soar over 600 mg/dL. The surplus of sugar passes from the blood into the urine causing frequent urination.

Signs with this condition include excessive thirst, vision loss and weakness on one side of your body. A person may experience dry mouth, dry and warm with no sweating, according to the Mayo Clinic. With this condition, a diabetic's blood resembles thick syrup.

Symptoms develop in days or weeks and can have life-threatening dehydration. Hyperosmolar syndrome occurs in people with type 2 diabetes.

High Blood Sugar Levels

This condition occurs when a diabetic's blood glucose is too high. Early hyperglycemia includes signs frequent urination, headache, weight loss and a blood glucose level of more than 180 mg/dL. Typically, a person feels tired, has difficulty concentrating and experiences blurred vision.

If high blood sugar levels go untreated, a diabetic may develop additional symptoms. These symptoms include skin infections, constipation or diarrhea, nerve damage, and decreased vision. Sores and cuts take longer than usual to heal.

Women with prolonged high blood sugars may develop vaginal infections. Men with prolonged hyperglycemia may develop erectile dysfunction.

Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia occurs periodically in diabetics controlling their diabetes. There are many reasons why hypoglycemia results from skipping meals, too much insulin in your blood and not enough glucose or taking too much insulin.

With this condition means blood sugar levels are too low. In the early stages of hypoglycemia, a diabetic may experience pounding heartbeat, shakiness, sweating, headache and dizziness. In addition, someone suffering from low blood sugar may feel anxious, irritable, nervous or hungry.

The most unsettling aspect of hypoglycemia is it can happen while a person is sleeping. Signs of nighttime low blood sugar include having nightmares. Another symptom is feeling confused, tired or irritable shortly after waking. Also, a diabetic may notice clothing or bed sheets are damp because of sweating.

If hypoglycemia is not treated and becomes severe, there are additional symptoms a person may experience. These symptoms are seizures, convulsions, muscle weakness or unconsciousness. Or a diabetic experiences clumsiness, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, double vision or blurriness and drowsiness, according to the Mayo Clinic.