Blood Sugar Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore If You Are Over 50
As you age, your risk for health issues like high blood sugar increases, making it crucial to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels, especially if you’re over 50. If you’re over 50, your risk for diabetes and other blood sugar-related problems goes up. But how do you know if your blood sugar isn’t right? Here are some warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Extreme thirst
One common warning sign of high blood sugar is feeling very thirsty all the time. If you feel like you need water constantly and nothing helps, it could mean your blood sugar is too high. This happens because your kidneys are working extra hard to get rid of the extra sugar, which makes you dehydrated.
If you wake up multiple times during the night to drink water or feel like you can’t go more than a few minutes without a drink, it’s time to see your doctor.
Excessive tiredness and a lack of energy
Everyone feels tired sometimes, but if you feel tired in a way that’s different from normal, it could be because of high blood sugar. High blood sugar makes it harder for your body to use insulin. This means your cells can’t get the energy they need. This can leave you feeling very tired even after you get plenty of sleep.
Blurred vision
If your vision suddenly becomes blurry or you’re having trouble focusing, it might not just be your glasses—it could be your blood sugar. High blood sugar can make the lenses in your eyes swell, which causes blurred vision.
If your blurry vision comes and goes or if you’ve noticed it’s harder to read or see details, you should get your blood sugar checked.
Slow-healing sores or cuts
If you’ve noticed that small cuts or sores are taking longer than usual to heal, it could be a sign of high blood sugar. High blood sugar can affect your circulation and slow down the healing process, making your body more likely to get infections.
Pay attention to injuries that take a long time to heal. If minor cuts are taking weeks to improve, talk to your doctor. This is especially important for wounds on your feet since they can get worse quickly if untreated.
Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
Feeling tingling, numbness, or “pins and needles” in your hands or feet could mean nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy. This happens when high blood sugar goes untreated for a long time. If you don’t take care of it, this nerve damage can become permanent.
Don’t ignore these feelings—if they happen often, make an appointment with your doctor to check your blood sugar.
Peeing more often
If you’re going to the bathroom more often, especially at night, it could be a sign that your blood sugar levels are too high. Your kidneys have to work extra hard to get rid of the extra sugar, which makes you urinate more often.
Unintentional weight loss
Losing weight without trying might sound nice, but it can actually be a sign of something serious, like diabetes. When your blood sugar is too high, your body can’t use glucose for energy, so it starts breaking down muscle and fat instead.
Extreme hunger
Feeling hungrier than usual, even after eating, is another sign of high blood sugar. When your body can’t use insulin properly, your cells don’t get enough energy, which makes you feel hungry all the time.
Repeated skin infections
High blood sugar can make it harder for your body to fight infections, which makes you more likely to get skin infections, like athlete’s foot or yeast infections. Extra sugar in your blood gives bacteria and fungi a good place to grow.
What Should You Do If You Notice These Warning Signs?
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s really important to see your doctor for a check-up. The sooner you find out what’s wrong, the easier it is to manage your blood sugar and prevent serious problems.
Your doctor might suggest changes to your diet, like reducing sugar and refined carbs, adding more exercise such as walking, squats, push-ups, planks, or swimming, or taking medicine to help control your blood sugar. The earlier you take action, the better your chances of staying healthy.
