You’re hungrier than usual, but you’re losing weight
MedlinePlus notes that many people with uncontrolled high blood sugar feel hungrier than usual, a symptom known as polyphagia. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’re eating more, but your blood sugar is too high, you may lose weight for no reason.
“Your body doesn’t get energy from its preferred source of glucose, so it has to go to muscle and fat,” explains Zanini. “When your body starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy, you lose weight unintentionally and unhealthy.” In addition to weight and appetite changes, you’ll lose muscle mass and fall more often, Emanuel adds.
You often feel tired and fatigued
Fatigue and fatigue are symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar, the ADA says. “Simply put, when your body doesn’t process insulin properly or doesn’t have enough insulin, sugar stays in the blood rather than entering our cells for energy,” Zanini said. And frequent urination can lead to dehydration, which Bandukwala identified as another contributing factor to fatigue.
Your vision is noticeably blurred and you have frequent headaches
You may notice that your vision isn’t as clear as it used to be, and that some things appear blurry. High blood sugar can cause the lens of the eye to swell due to fluid leakage, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. This changes the shape of the lens, causing it to be unable to focus properly and causing blurred vision. You also struggle at work, have trouble driving, and have frequent headaches, Emanuel notes.
You develop wounds that heal more slowly than usual
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, cuts, scrapes, bruises and other wounds take longer to heal when blood sugar is not under control. Diabetes can damage nerves and affect circulation, especially in the lower legs and feet, where there is insufficient blood flow, slowing healing. Even minor wounds are susceptible to infection, which can become serious enough to require amputation. If you develop a foot ulcer, you may notice water seeping into your socks or an unpleasant odor, notes the American Pediatric Association.