Like the name connotes, high blood sugar occurs when one has a high concentration of glucose or sugar in the blood. No doubt, this is a very dangerous condition that could compromise one’s health.

Consultant diabetologist, Dr. Arinze Smith, says high blood sugar does not only cause diabetes, it can also damage the two kidneys and increase the chances of one developing other chronic renal diseases.

Smith says, “When your blood sugar is high, some of the sugar ‘overflows’ through your kidneys into your urine. Blood sugar actually coats red blood cells, causing them to become stiff. These sticky cells interfere with blood circulation, causing cholesterol to build up on the inside of your blood vessels.

“The actual danger is that you can miss the symptoms if you are not observant. You can have these symptoms for months or years and not know. By the time you know, the blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys and the heart, which are the most susceptible to blood sugar, would have been damaged. And you would have developed Type 2 diabetes or kidney failure.”

The physician notes that high blood sugar can be managed if detected early. He states that if individuals can spot that they have high blood sugar early enough by getting tested at least once in six months, they can regulate their blood sugars with appropriate diet, exercise and daily medication.

Smith notes that those with high blood sugar would have to reduce their sugar and carbohydrate intake to reduce the glucose concentration in their system.

He adds, “It is simple. How does sugar get into the body? It is through the food we eat. So, if you know that you have it, you simply have to reduce or even stop sugar intake through your diet.

“Foods like bread, pastries, rice and others simple carbohydrates are a no no for someone who has high blood sugar. An individual with high blood sugar is a candidate for diabetes, kidney failure and stroke. But if you manage it and that is if you know, you can actually prevent it such that you don’t develop any of these killer diseases.”

Knowledge, they say, is power; you can only prevent that which you know is bad. Taking a blood sugar test every six months, as advised by experts, will reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Here are some signs of high blood sugar that you should not joke with. They mean that something serious is wrong with your health. You may need to see your doctor sooner than you think.

Frequent urination: Thirst and frequent urination are two classic diabetes signs caused by too much sugar in your blood. As your kidneys work harder to filter out the sugar, they also pull more fluids from your tissues, which is why you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual. Thirst is your body’s way of telling you it needs to replenish the liquid it’s losing abnormally.

Fatigue: Fatigue is another signal that your blood sugar isn’t under control. When sugar is staying in your bloodstream instead of being diverted to your body’s cells, your muscles don’t get enough fuel to use for energy. You might feel only a little tired, or your fatigue might be so bad that you need a nap. Sometimes, people with diabetes feel especially tired after eating a big meal.

Swollen feet: High blood sugar can damage the kidneys’ ability to filter wastes and fluid over time. As water builds up in your body, your hands and feet may swell – a warning sign that you may have not just high blood sugar but your kidneys are failing.

Poor eye sight: High blood sugar can damage the sensitive structures in your eyes and threaten your vision. Diabetic retinopathy – caused by damage to the blood vessels in the eye due to blood sugar – is the biggest cause of blindness in adults. Blurred vision, spots, lines or flashing lights are signs that it’s time to see your eye doctor. Get your eyes checked now before your vision deteriorates.

Weight loss: If you are losing weight quickly without trying, or without doing anything different, it may be a sign that your blood sugar is too high. When your glucose is high, it gets flushed out of the body in urine, taking the calories and fluids you consume with it, such that the body has no nutrients to work with and it keeps sucking up calories in the body, hence you start emaciating.

Cuts and bruises: If your blood sugar is not well controlled, you might find that cuts and bruises are slow to heal. Tending to injuries, however small, is important because it reduces the risk of infections in people with diabetes. Infections themselves can also worsen blood sugars, which make it even harder for your immune system to fight off the infection.

Don’t panic, it is not everybody that has high blood sugar that will develop diabetes or kidney failure. If you take your medicine, eat a healthy diet, and exercise to keep your blood sugar levels in check, doctors say you won’t have a problem.

You, however, need to know when to seek help and call your doctor. Visit the hospital if you are having severe symptoms like uncontrolled vomiting, dizziness, numbness or tingling, or blurred or double vision that doesn’t go away.