Consuming excessive amounts of sweet foods can have serious effects on the body. One of the main effects is increased blood sugar levels, which can trigger hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is a condition where blood sugar levels exceed normal limits, which are 70-100 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dL after meals. If these levels continue to increase, the risk of diabetes and other complications will increase. Recognizing the symptoms of excess sugar in the body early on is important so that preventive measures can be taken immediately.
1. Signs of Sugar Overdose Quoting the official website of Pertamina Central Hospital, here are some signs that indicate blood sugar levels exceed normal:
- Frequent Thirst and Dry Mouth: A body with excess sugar often shows symptoms in the form of excessive thirst, even though you have drunk a lot. This happens because the kidneys have to work hard to filter excess sugar in the blood. When the kidneys are unable to keep up, sugar will be excreted through urine, so that the body loses a lot of fluids, which ultimately triggers thirst. In addition, excess sugar can also cause a dry mouth, increasing the risk of bacterial and fungal infections in the oral cavity.
- Frequent Urination: Excess sugar in the blood also causes increased urination, especially at night. This happens because the body tries to get rid of excess sugar through urine, so the volume of urine increases. This loss of fluid makes the body feel constantly thirsty, which eventually leads to a cycle of thirst and frequent urination.
- Excessive Hunger: Constant hunger is a common sign of high blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, the body's cells are unable to absorb sugar from food, leaving the body deprived of energy. As a result, hunger signals are sent to the brain even after eating enough, which ultimately increases appetite.
- Vision Problems: Blurred vision can also be an indication of high blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels spike, fluids in the body including in the lens of the eye can be disrupted, causing the lens to swell. If left untreated, this condition can damage the blood vessels in the retina and even risk causing blindness.
- Skin Color Changes in Body Folds: High blood sugar levels can cause the skin in some areas, especially body folds such as the neck or knuckles, to darken. This condition is known as acanthosis nigricans, which is often associated with insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.
2. Causes of Excess Sugar in the Body Some of the main factors that cause blood sugar levels to increase are unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, stress, and the use of certain medications such as corticosteroids. In people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, the body cannot regulate sugar levels properly, which ultimately triggers hyperglycemia.
3. Serious Complications Due to High Blood Sugar If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can trigger several serious health complications, including:
- Heart disease and stroke: Chronic hyperglycemia can cause blood vessels to narrow and thicken, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Kidney damage: The kidneys can become damaged from having to constantly filter out excess sugar in the blood.
- Nerve damage: Diabetic neuropathy is common in people with diabetes, with symptoms such as tingling and numbness, especially in the feet and hands.
- Vision problems: Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma can occur due to uncontrolled high blood sugar levels.
4. How to reduce blood sugar levels There are several effective ways to reduce blood sugar levels, including:
- Regular exercise: Regular physical activity helps the body use glucose as an energy source.
- Healthy diet: Limit consumption of sweet foods, simple carbohydrates, and processed foods.
- Choose high fiber foods such as fruit and vegetables.
- Drink enough water: Water helps the kidneys remove excess sugar through urine.
- Manage stress: Stress can trigger increased blood sugar, so stress management is very important.
What are the characteristics of a body lacking blood sugar? Symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling confused, slurred speech, blurred vision, and fatigue. Some people may also experience nightmares if their blood sugar is low during sleep.
What color is the urine of a diabetic? The urine of diabetics is usually cloudier in color, which is caused by the high levels of sugar excreted in the urine.
When is a person said to have diabetes? A person is considered to have diabetes if their blood sugar level exceeds 200 mg/dL accompanied by symptoms such as frequent thirst, frequent urination, wounds that are difficult to heal, and easy fatigue.
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