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Signs & Symptoms of Hyperglycemia & Hypoglecemia

When a person has blood pressure that is too low or too high, several signs and symptoms can tell you when its time to act. While hyperglycemia can be treated by exercising or cutting down on food intake, hypoglycemia can be treated by immediately eating sugary foods like hard candy, fruit juice or glucose tablets. However, anyone experiencing the signs of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia should consult a doctor before treating these conditions.

  1. Signs of Hyperglycemia

    • Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar or high glucose levels. One of the common signs of hyperglycemia is the frequent urge to urinate. If you notice that you are visiting the bathroom often, it may be because another symptom of hyperglycemia is increased thirst. People experiencing hyperglycemia often crave water and other drinks to satisfy this intense thirst. Other signs to watch out for include blurred vision or fatigue. Because hyperglycemia results from high sugar levels, some people may think this causes excess energy, but in fact it creates a lethargic and sluggish state.

    Signs of Hypoglycemia

    • Since your brain needs a steady supply of glucose to function, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar or low glucose levels) can cause you to feel confused or dizzy. Hypoglycemia can be recognized by a feeling of dizziness, the inability to complete a simple task or the tendency to lose your train of thought. Your eyesight may also be compromised through double or blurred vision. If you are hypoglycemic, you may also feel very hungry, experience headaches or develop a pale skin color. Anxiety, trembling and sweating are other common signs of hypoglycemia. Less common symptoms include heart palpitations, loss of consciousness, fainting and seizures.

    External Factors

    • It's important to consider that any of the symptoms that are described for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia may be caused by other factors in your environment. One way to distinguish whether you symptoms may be a result of something other than hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia is to be aware of common causes of these conditions. Individuals with diabetes are much more likely to experience hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Stress from an illness or other things going on in your life can also affect your blood sugar levels. Be aware that how much you eat and how often you exercise can cause changes in blood sugar levels. For example, individuals who eat a lot of unhealthy food but do not exercise regularly may be at risk for hyperglycemia.

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