Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes Glucose Levels

When you have diabetes, your blood glucose level, also known as the blood sugar level, is a vital measure of how well your diabetes treatment is going. More importantly, having a safe blood glucose level is important to your health. There are signs and symptoms that can affect your body which can let you know your blood sugar range.

Hypoglycemia

• In the early stages of hypoglycemia, you may experience pounding heartbeat, shakiness, sweating, headache and dizziness. Also, may can feel anxious, irritable, nervous or hungry.

  Hypoglycemia can also happen while you're sleeping. Signs of nighttime low blood sugar include having nightmares. Another symptom is feeling confused, tired or irritable shortly after waking. Also, you may notice that your clothes or bed sheets are damp because of sweating.

  If your hypoglycemia is not treated, it can become severe. These symptoms are seizures, convulsions, muscle weakness or unconsciousness. In addition, you will experience clumsiness, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, double vision or blurriness and drowsiness, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  Hypoglycemia occurs when your glucose levels are too low. There are a variety of reasons why hypoglycemia occurs, such as skipping meals, too much insulin in your blood and not enough glucose or taking too much insulin.

Hyperglycemia

• This condition occurs when your blood glucose is too high. With early hyperglycemia, you'll notice signs like frequent urination, weight loss and a blood glucose level of more than 180 mg/dL. You will feel tired, have difficulty concentration and experience blurred vision. Another symptom of hyperglycemia is having a headache.

  If your high blood sugar levels go untreated, you may develop other symptoms. These symptoms include skin infections, constipation or diarrhea, nerve damage, decreased vision and sores and cuts that take longer than usual to heal. Women who have prolonged high blood sugars may develop vaginal infections. Men with prolonged hyperglycemia may develop erectile dysfunction.

Hyperosmolar Syndrome

• Signs of this condition include excessive thirst, vision loss and weakness on one side of your body. Also, you will experience blood sugar levels over 600 mg/dL, dry mouth and an increased need to urinate. Your skin will feel dry and warm with no sweating, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms can take days or weeks to occur. Hyperosmolar syndrome occurs in people who have type 2 diabetes. Once you suffer from this syndrome your blood may resemble a thick syrup.