Keeping track of your blood sugar levels is crucial, especially as we age. Recognizing the symptoms of high blood sugar is essential to maintaining good health. If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause serious harm. While symptoms can vary, we will focus on the most common signs that you need to pay attention to.
Hyperglycemia occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose from food enter our body cells for energy. If you have an insulin deficiency, glucose cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels. Prolonged periods of high blood sugar can result in permanent damage to vital organs like the kidneys, blood vessels, nerves, and eyes.
Causes of Increased Blood Sugar Levels
Several factors contribute to increased blood sugar levels. These include:
- Physical inactivity
- Fatigue
- The common cold
- Dehydration
- Excessive eating
- Excessive use of steroids
It’s important to note that high blood sugar levels do not automatically indicate diabetes. However, they can be a symptom of the disease. People with diabetes may not experience many symptoms, but the following signs indicate high blood sugar:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Increased thirst
- Impotence
- Difficulty focusing
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds
- Recurring infections
- Digestive problems
- Increased appetite
- Nerve problems
- Dry and itchy skin
- Excess belly fat and weight gain
Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
To effectively control blood sugar levels, it’s crucial to understand which foods are safe to consume. Foods with a high glycemic index should be avoided. The glycemic index is a scale that measures the number of carbohydrates in foods that may raise blood sugar levels. The higher the number, the greater the risk of high blood sugar. Foods with a glycemic index between 0 and 54 are considered low glycemic foods and are safer to consume.
List of Low Glycemic Index Foods
- 1 egg: 6
- A cup of broccoli: 10
- A cup of hummus: 6
- A cup of nuts: 15
- A cup of cashew nuts: 22
- A cup of cherries: 22
- A cup of yogurt: 23
- Medium-sized onion: 10
- Medium-sized apple: 38
- 1 Turkey sausage: 28
- A cup of spaghetti: 42
- A cup of green grapes: 46
- A cup of peas: 54
- 220 gr. of tomato juice: 38
- 220 gr. of pineapple juice: 46
- 1 carrot: 47
- 1 orange: 48
- 1 grapefruit: 50
- 1 banana: 52
Foods with a Glycemic Index Between 55-69
- A cup of brown rice: 55
- 1 serving of mac’n’cheese: 64
- A tablespoon of honey: 55
- A cup of oatmeal: 55
- A cup of white rice: 64
Foods with a High Glycemic Index to Avoid
- 2 cups of popcorn: 70
- Rice cake: 76
- A slice of white bread: 70
- 1 doughnut: 76
- Medium-sized baked potato: 85
- 1 portion of corn flakes: 92
- 50 gr. of glucose: 100
Remember, your diet plays a significant role in your overall health. If you experience symptoms of high blood sugar, it’s crucial to make dietary changes before more serious complications arise.