What are the Symptoms of Diabetis?

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

The classic symptoms of diabetes are due to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Hyperglycemia is usually defined as a blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL or higher, but not everyone will have symptoms at that blood glucose level. Symptoms of hyperglycemia can include:

• Frequent urination

• Increased thirst

• Dry skin or mouth

• Hunger

• Blurred vision

• Drowsiness

• Decreased healing of wounds and more frequent infections

• Numbness and/or tingling in hands and/or feet

• Unexplained weight loss

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is usually defined as 70 mg/dL or less. Hypoglycemia is a common problem for people with diabetes who take insulin or sulfonylurea pills (glipizide, glimepiride, or glyburide). Hypoglycemia can cause a variety of symptoms, so it is important to identify how your body reacts when your blood glucose is too low. Symptoms of low blood glucose include:

• Extreme hunger

• Weakness or fatigue

• Mood changes, irritability 

• Lightheadedness

• Anxiety

• Headaches

• Sweating or clamminess

• Trembling

• Dizziness

• Lack of coordination

• Rapid heartbeat

• Blurred vision

• Nightmares

• Confusion

• Seizures

• Unconsciousness

What should you do if your blood sugar level is less than 70mg/dl? Follow the rule of 15:

1. For every 15mg/dL below 70, drink or eat something with 15 grams of carbohydrate. For example, if your blood sugar was 40, you would consume 30 grams of carbohydrate. (70 – 40 = 30) 

   • Food and drink with 15gm of carbohydrate:

     • 1/2 can of soda

       1. 4 ounces of juice

       2. 4 glucose tablets

2. Wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood glucose.

   • If it’s less than 70 after you recheck, repeat step 1 and 2 until it’s above 70.

3. Once glucose is above 70, eat a snack or a meal.

4. Call your doctor if you cannot figure out why your blood glucose dropped