Board certified in internal medicine, Naval Parikh, MD, works in both clinical and research settings. The clinical site coordinator and principal investigator for NAPA Research, he oversees testing of new drugs. Moreover, Dr. Naval Parikh practices medicine with SortinoMD, a Florida medical practice that diagnoses and treats conditions such as diabetes.
If you are diabetic, monitoring your blood sugar levels has likely become second nature to you. However, blood sugar levels are important to monitor in any case.
Typically, healthy blood sugar levels range from 70 to 150. Drops and spikes in blood sugar can occur for a range of reasons, including having an infection, being sick, delaying or missing a meal, or drinking too much. When blood sugar levels continue at above 240 or below 70, it is cause for concern.
High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, damages the blood vessels, nerves, and organs. If you have diabetes, hyperglycemia also increases your risk of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS), a medical condition that is potentially deadly.
If you don’t measure your blood sugar regularly or have a family member or loved one who is diabetic, there are several symptoms of hyperglycemia for which you can remain vigilant. These include fatigue, weight loss, increased thirst, blurred vision, and frequent urination. Extreme hunger is also a common symptom of hyperglycemia, as is nausea.
Meanwhile, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is marked by such symptoms as shaking and fast heartbeat. Extreme hunger is also a symptom of low blood sugar, but extreme thirst is typically not seen. Alongside these symptoms, individuals may experience dizziness, anxiety, or weakness as a result of low blood sugar levels.
