What are the symptoms and risks of high blood sugar?
High blood sugar may cause symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and weakness. Potential complications include dehydration, reduced immunity, diabetes, kidney damage, and cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended to consult a doctor promptly for appropriate treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Symptoms
1. Frequent urination: Elevated blood glucose levels can increase glucose content in urine, leading to osmotic diuresis, which manifests as increased urine output.
2. Increased thirst: Due to increased urination and excessive fluid loss, the body becomes dehydrated, increasing feelings of thirst, causing patients to drink fluids more frequently.
3. Increased appetite: Despite high blood glucose levels, due to insulin deficiency or insulin resistance, glucose cannot be effectively utilized by the body. This leads to persistent hunger and increased food intake.
4. Weight loss: Although appetite may be increased, because glucose cannot be effectively used for energy due to insulin deficiency or resistance, the body begins to break down fat and protein for energy, resulting in weight loss.
5. Fatigue and weakness: Because glucose cannot be efficiently utilized, the body lacks sufficient energy supply, leading to persistent fatigue and weakness.
II. Complications
1. Dehydration: High blood glucose causes large amounts of glucose to be excreted in urine, resulting in osmotic diuresis, which can easily lead to dehydration.
2. Reduced immunity: Hyperglycemia weakens the immune system, making patients more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.
3. Diabetes: Chronically elevated blood glucose is a primary characteristic of diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder that can damage multiple organs throughout the body.
4. Kidney damage: High blood glucose can increase glomerular filtration rate. Prolonged hyperglycemia may lead to diabetic nephropathy, which in severe cases can progress to renal failure.
5. Cardiovascular disease: Elevated blood glucose may contribute to abnormal lipid levels, atherosclerosis, and hypertension, increasing the risk of heart and cerebrovascular events.
Patients with high blood glucose should promptly receive glucose-lowering treatment under medical supervision using medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, acarbose tablets, and glimepiride tablets. Additionally, a light diet is recommended, avoiding foods such as fried chicken and watermelon, to prevent adverse effects on blood glucose levels.