Our bodies depend on food for energy in order to function properly. Normally, sugars and carbohydrates contained in the food we eat are broken down by our bodies and converted into glucose, a form of sugar which is the main fuel our cells use. In order for our cells to be able to use the glucose in our blood, they need insulin, a hormone that allows them to absorb the sugar.
When the body isn’t able to make insulin (Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes), can’t use the insulin (Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes), or a combination of both, glucose levels rise in our blood, damaging tiny blood vessels in vital organs such as our heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. If left untreated, diabetes can eventually lead to potentially deadly illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, not to mention blindness and non-reversible nerve damage.
Our body can tell us when something’s wrong and knowing what to look out for could help catch diabetes at an early stage, making it easier to manage. Here are some signs of high blood sugar levels that we should be aware of.
