Health Effects of High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar is a term used to describe the condition of having too much glucose in your blood, but what are the Health Effects of High Blood Sugar? 

It is caused when your pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, or if your body isn't able to use insulin effectively. For those with diabetes, high blood sugar can lead to serious health consequences like heart disease, eye problems, and kidney failure.

However, many people who don't have diabetes are also experiencing high levels of blood sugar, and the health effects that go with it. Here are some of the things you might experience with higher-than-normal levels of blood sugar.

Diabetes

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus and characterized by high blood glucose levels. It is a group of metabolic diseases in which the body cannot regulate the flow of sugar through the bloodstream.

Glucose comes from food and is an essential source of energy for cells. With no insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, or insufficient insulin levels, blood sugar can't enter cells to be used for energy.

Instead, it builds up in the bloodstream, creating long-term damage to your heart, eyes, and kidneys.

This illness is categorized into two types. One of them requires medication to manage 100% of the time.

The other can be managed temporarily with medication while a person seeks to make changes to diet and lifestyle factors. A variety of tests, including HbA1c, can help determine if someone has diabetes or not.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells do not respond to the presence of insulin as they should. When insulin resistance develops, the pancreas must produce more and more insulin to transport glucose into the cells.

This can eventually lead to high blood sugar levels if your body cannot make enough insulin or if you develop diabetes.

Insulin resistance is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but it can also occur in people who are otherwise healthy and not overweight.

The condition has no specific symptoms other than changes in weight, fatigue, frequent urination, blurred vision, or tingling hands and feet. Changing your diet is one of the best ways to improve insulin resistance, along with finding healthier alternatives to your favorite sweets.

Processed sugar is the biggest culprit when it comes to insulin issues.

PCOS

PCOS is a condition that affects the ovaries. It can cause irregular periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. It's caused by a hormone imbalance, and it's more common in women who are overweight.

PCOS cannot be cured, but it can be treated with medication or surgery.

Difficulty Focusing

Difficulty concentrating and focusing can be a symptom of high blood sugar. If you experience difficulty with focusing, it may be because your body is having trouble using insulin.

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding to insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels. High blood pressure and cholesterol can also contribute to this symptom.

Poor Immune Function

When blood sugar levels are higher than normal, your immune system is compromised. Therefore, you are more susceptible to infections and illnesses. You may get colds and cases of flu more often than people who have normal blood sugars.

Additionally, you could be at risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, or other conditions associated with poor immune function.

Brain Damage

Diabetes is a risk factor for developing brain damage. Brain damage, in turn, can lead to dementia. A major cause of dementia is brain damage that occurs over several years due to high blood sugar.

High blood sugar can cause the brain tissue to become oxygen-deprived and eventually die off in areas of the brain responsible for memory function. The result is that you lose your ability to think clearly and remember things like names or where you put your keys.

This process may be slowed down by controlling diabetes through diet and exercise as well as by taking medications prescribed by your doctor.

Vision Problems

If you have diabetes, you are at an increased risk of developing eye problems. These include cataracts and glaucoma, which can cause blindness if not treated. Diabetes also increases the risk of macular degeneration, a disease that causes vision loss in older people.

If you’re starting to notice your vision declining at your regular checkups, it may be helpful to get tested for blood sugar issues and diabetes.