From the Guidelines
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, while low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) symptoms include shakiness, sweating, anxiety, irritability, confusion, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, hunger, weakness, and difficulty speaking. The symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are critical to recognize in order to provide timely and appropriate treatment.
- Hyperglycemia symptoms can lead to severe complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis if left untreated 1.
- Hypoglycemia symptoms, on the other hand, can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, and even brain damage or death if not promptly addressed 1.
Recognizing Symptoms
The following are key symptoms to recognize:
- Hyperglycemia:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypoglycemia:
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Irrability
- Confusion
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Hunger
- Weakness
- Difficulty speaking
Treatment
For diabetics experiencing low blood sugar, the 15-15 rule is recommended: consume 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (like glucose tablets, fruit juice, or regular soda), wait 15 minutes, then recheck blood sugar 1.
- If still below 70 mg/dL, repeat the treatment.
- For severe hyperglycemia, insulin may be needed, while severe hypoglycemia might require glucagon injection 1. It is essential to understand that glucose is the body's primary energy source, particularly for the brain, so both excessive and insufficient levels disrupt normal bodily functions and trigger compensatory mechanisms 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Early symptoms of hypoglycemia may include The FDA drug label does not provide a complete list of symptoms for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and does not mention symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) at all.
- Hypoglycemia symptoms are not fully listed
- Hyperglycemia symptoms are not mentioned 2
From the Research
Symptoms of Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) symptoms are not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies, but it can be inferred that it is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, which can lead to various complications if left uncontrolled 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) symptoms are also not directly mentioned, but it is noted that certain medications, such as sulfonylureas, can increase the risk of hypoglycemia 3, 6.
- The studies focus more on the management and treatment of hyperglycemia, highlighting the importance of controlling blood glucose levels to prevent complications associated with diabetes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Management of Blood Glucose Levels
- The provided studies discuss various treatment options for managing hyperglycemia, including metformin, sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, insulin, and newer pharmacotherapeutic agents such as GLP-1RA and SGLT2 inhibitors 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Physical activity is also emphasized as a crucial factor in improving glycemic control, with a systematic review and meta-analysis showing that physically active diabetes patients had better control over their blood glucose levels 7.
- The importance of individualized treatment approaches and consideration of factors such as weight control, hyperlipidemia, and renal function is also highlighted 3, 5, 6.