Glucose is your brain's only fuel source. It's a form a sugar that is present in carbohydrate-rich foods. Carbohydrates are found in significant proportions in plant-based foods and dairy products. Carbohydrates can exist in the form of simple or complex sugar molecules. Simple sugars are those found in honey and fruit juice, which are absorbed by the body rapidly. Complex carbohydrates are long-chain sugar molecules, such as are found in whole grains. These take longer to digest, and release glucose into your system more gradually. People with diabetes know the effects of high glucose on their physical well-being, but high glucose can affect your emotions as well.
Confusion
A high glucose meal can cause your blood sugar to spike, adding an immediate burst of energy. According to the Franklin Institute, eating carbohydrates has been shown to boost the brain's ability to learn new tasks. But when your blood sugar gets too high, your pancreas responds by releasing insulin, a hormone that helps the body store excess glucose. When this occurs, you may experience weakness and confusion, as your concentration and clarity of thought falters. People with diabetes may, as a result of arterial narrowing caused by high blood glucose, experience a decline in their cognitive abilities as they grow older.
Depression
Diabetics are more prone to bouts of depression, according to the Franklin Institute, as repeated exposure to high blood glucose diminishes their responsiveness to insulin. According to the University of California at San Francisco, dealing with a chronic high glucose as a diabetic can lead to feelings of exasperation and depression, as the constant challenge of managing the illness affects his ability to live a normal life.
Irritability
Irritability can result when high glucose levels go uncontrolled. According to MayoClinic.com, children with type 1 diabetes can be particularly affected by sudden jolts in blood sugar. Forgetting to give your diabetic child insulin and then allowing her to indulge in a high glucose food such as candy can result in a serious bout of crankiness. In adults with diabetes, the constant battle with high blood sugar can lead to feelings of anger and frustration, according to Mayo Clinic diabetes educators Nancy Klobassa and Peggy Moreland.
