Keeping track of your blood sugar levels is crucial, especially as you get older. High blood sugar levels can be harmful to your health if left untreated. Today, we want to highlight the most common symptoms of high blood sugar levels that you need to pay attention to.
Hyperglycemia occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose from food enter your body cells where it is used as energy. When there’s an insulin deficiency, the glucose is unable to be absorbed into the bloodstream. If this continues for a long time, it can lead to permanent damage to body parts such as the kidneys, blood vessels, nerves, and eyes.
Main Causes of Increased Blood Sugar Levels
There are several factors that can contribute to increased blood sugar levels:
- Physical inactivity
- Fatigue
- The common cold
- Dehydration
- Excessive eating
- Excessive use of steroids
It’s important to note that increased blood sugar levels don’t automatically mean you have diabetes. However, they may be one symptom of the disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional:
- Frequent urination, especially overnight
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- 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 control your blood sugar levels, it’s crucial to be mindful of your food choices. Foods with a high glycemic index should be avoided. The glycemic index is a scale that shows the number of carbs in foods that may increase your blood sugar levels. The higher the number, the greater the risk of high blood sugar levels. Foods with a glycemic index between 0 and 54 are considered low glycemic foods and are safe to consume moderately.
Low GI Foods You Can Safely Consume Moderately:
- 1 egg
- A cup of broccoli
- A cup of hummus
- A cup of nuts
- A cup of cashew nuts
- A cup of cherries
- A cup of yogurt
- Medium-sized onion
- Medium-sized apple
- 1 Turkey sausage
- A cup of spaghetti
- A cup of green grapes
- A cup of peas
- 220 gr. of tomato juice
- 220 gr. of pineapple juice
- 1 carrot
- 1 orange
- 1 grapefruit
- 1 banana
Foods with a Glycemic Index Between 55-69:
- A cup of brown rice
- 1 serving of mac’n’cheese
- A tablespoon of honey
- A cup of oatmeal
- A cup of white rice
Foods with a High Glycemic Index You Should Avoid:
- 2 cups of popcorn
- Rice cake
- A slice of white bread
- 1 doughnut
- Medium-sized baked potato
- 1 portion of corn flakes
- 50 gr. of glucose
Remember, your diet plays a significant role in your overall health. If you experience any symptoms of high blood sugar, it’s important to make changes to your habits before major problems occur. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
