Blood sugar levels can increase or decrease depending on factors such as lifestyle and overall healthiness. Hyperglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels exceed 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood, according to MayoClinic.com. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop below 50 mg/dL of blood, explains the American Heart Association. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are detrimental to the body's overall well-being, and can cause various symptoms to manifest.
Blurred Sense of Sight
Hyperglycemia can impair vision by causing blurriness, notes MayoClinic.com. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can cause irreparable damage to the blood vessels of the eyes, quite possibly even causing blindness.
Comatose and Loss of Consciousness
High blood sugar levels can induce a coma, the MayoClinic.com notes. Comas of this sort can occur if hyperglycemia is left untreated. Low blood sugar levels also may result in the loss of consciousness.
Convulsions
Low blood sugar may cause convulsions or seizures to occur, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Headache and Dizziness
Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can cause dizziness and headaches, according to MayoClinic.com and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The dizziness or headaches may be related to dehydration that can be caused by either high or low blood sugar levels.
Impaired Movement
Hypoglycemia can impair movement, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. As such, body movement may appear to lack a sense of proper coordination, and may even seem crude and clumsy.
Inability to Concentrate
The brain requires blood sugar to be able to perform its functions properly, notes the American Heart Association. Hypoglycemia can impair concentration and cause a state of confusion, notes the American Diabetes Association.
Increased Hunger
Both high and low blood sugar levels cause hunger, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center and the American Heart Association.
Ketone Buildup
Hyperglycemia can cause ketoacidosis or the buildup of ketones in the blood and urine, according to MayoClinic.com and the American Heart Association. Ketone buildup can potentially be lethal.
Mood Swings
Hypoglycemia can cause moodiness, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. An example of this emotional instability would be shifts between mania and depression.
More Frequent Urination and Increased Thirst
High blood sugar levels can cause more frequent urination and increase thirst, notes MayoClinic.com.
Nausea and Exhaustion
Hyperglycemia causes nausea and exhaustion, according to MayoClinic.com. Exhaustion may be an early symptom of hyperglycemia. High blood sugar levels can bring about nausea and cause vomiting if left untreated.
Pale Complexion and Increased Tendency to Sweat
Low blood sugar levels can cause the complexion to pale and increase the body's tendency to sweat, notes the American Diabetes Association. An effective quick remedy for this symptom is to drink beverages with sugar and to eat food that can be an immediate energy source.
