These are the symptoms of high blood sugar you need to know

Everyone knows that having low blood sugar can make you feel pretty darn terrible – tired, emotional, cranky and foggy. But do you know the symptoms of high blood sugar? If you don’t, you should.

Having high blood sugar every so often isn’t the end of the world. But chronic symptoms of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, could be an indicator of Type 2 diabetes. In fact, nearly 30 million people in the U.S. has Type 2 diabetes.

How To Avoid Type 2 Diabetes

Since high blood sugar happens when levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are elevated, doctors advise to keep a healthy diet and exercise routine..

“Goods that are higher in carbohydrates and sugar, yet lower in fat and fiber, such as baked goods, white-flour breads, soda, and candy usually have a bigger impact on blood sugar levels,” certified dietitian-nutritionist Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., CEO of NY Nutrition Group, told SELF.

Translation: this is what you experience during a sugar rush and a sugar crash. Your blood sugar spikes and then plummets quickly. Ever experience the 4 p.m. slump you feel after bending to the will of the donuts in the break room after lunch? To prevent this, try to eat some healthy protein and fat before eating something sugary to guard against blood sugar spikes.

But be warned — symptoms of true hyperglycemia can develop slowly over a period of weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. “The longer blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious the symptoms become,” Mayo Clinic staff writes.

Watch For These High Blood Sugar Symptoms

How do you know if you may have high blood sugar levels? Here are the symptoms you need to be on the lookout for if you’re feeling cruddy all the time.

1. Frequent Urination

If you need to constantly run to the bathroom, then it could be a sign your blood sugar is high. When the body detects this imbalance, it puts the kidneys on overtime to filter the extra fluids coursing through them. This ties in neatly with another common symptom of high blood sugar…

2. Excessive Thirst

Do you have terrible cotton mouth but have been drinking a ton of water? This might mean something is amiss in your bloodstream. When your kidneys are having trouble filtering out glucose, you get dehydrated. This leads to the excessive urination mentioned above, and can cause kidney strain if left unchecked.

RELATED: These Signs Could Mean You Have A Deadly Blood Clot

3. Brain Fog And Fatigue

Have a hard time focusing? Constantly feeling tired no matter how much sleep you get or coffee you drink? This could also indicate high blood sugar. Glucose powers the body. But with hyperglycemia, there isn’t enough insulin to move that glucose around efficiently. This means you might be fatigued or have trouble concentrating.

Consult a doctor if you notice these symptoms for a period of time. A simple test can either give you peace of mind or the proper treatment, if necessary.