Dangers of High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar, also known by the medical term hyperglycemia, occurs when sugar builds up in a person's blood. This is due to a lack of a hormone called insulin, or when the body fails to utilize this hormone properly, resulting in sugar remaining in the blood and not making its way into the cells of the body. This condition is known as diabetes. There are dangerous consequences to high blood sugar, especially if the condition is left untreated.

Frequent urination

• When there is a high level of sugar in the blood, sugar will make its way out of the body through the kidneys. It passes into the urine and takes fluid with it, resulting in frequent urination for the individual and possible dehydration. The patient is constantly thirsty. As the body loses sugar, the person will be abnormally hungry but despite eating large amounts of food may still lose weight. Fatigue and nausea can accompany this process, which may require intravenous fluids to restore balance to the system.

Bodily Function

• One of the dangers of having high blood sugar is that the tissues in various parts of the body may become affected as the water content goes up and down. This in turn can impair bodily functions. The immune system can be compromised, allowing infections to gain easy access to the body. Vision can be significantly affected, with blurred vision and potential blindness as a result. In extreme instances when blood sugar is very high, the brain can be affected, with symptoms of confusion and seizures possible. Coma and death can even occur in severe cases of high blood sugar.

Ketoacidosis

• If the cells of the body cannot derive energy from sugar, which fails to leave the blood, then the body will resort to breaking down such sources of energy as fat. If this occurs, then acids called ketones can build up in the urine. Known as diabetic ketoacidosis, this condition can precipitate a dangerous imbalance of acids in the body. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting and fever can result. Ketoacidosis can be fatal if not promptly treated because the blood's normal chemistry changes, making major organs malfunction.

Infection

• High blood sugar levels allow fungi and yeast to thrive on the surface of the body. Infections can then be possible, with types such as athlete's foot common. Infections that can cause sore throats and rashes that show up in the region of the genitals are frequently seen when blood sugar levels remain high and untreated.

Organ and Nerve Damage

• If high blood sugar causes diabetes, then the heart and blood vessels can become adversely affected. The chances of developing medical conditions such as coronary artery disease, narrowing of the arteries and high blood pressure increase greatly with diabetes. Nerve damage can also develop because extra sugar can destroy or mar blood vessels that supply nourishment to the nerves, with the legs in particular danger from such neuropathy. Symptoms that include numbness and tingling in the extremities and constant pain can result. If the blood vessels within the kidneys are affected by high blood sugar, then kidney failure is possible.