Feeling Moody or Sleepy? 5 Surprising Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Out of Control

Diabetes might be known for its “three polys”—frequent urination (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), and increased hunger (polyphagia)—but there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes when your blood sugar’s out of control. Beyond these classic symptoms, diabetes can cause some pretty surprising signs in your body. Let’s take a look at a few unusual red flags that might indicate it’s time to start managing those blood sugar levels.

1. Post-meal Drowsiness

Ever feel like you need a nap right after eating? It could be a sign that your blood sugar is spiking. When blood sugar shoots up too high after meals, your body releases a flood of insulin to bring it back down. The result? A sudden crash in blood sugar levels leaves you feeling sluggish and wiped out.

2. Mood Swings

A blood sugar spike doesn’t just affect your energy—it can mess with your mood too. When your brain gets hit with too much glucose, it ramps up neurotransmitter activity (like dopamine), leading to mood swings. You might feel overly excited one moment and then irritable or anxious the next. These emotional roller coasters can leave you feeling stressed or even depressed.

3. Blurred Vision

Seeing things a little blurry? High blood sugar can cause your eye’s lens to absorb extra glucose, which makes it swell and affects your vision. In some cases, it can also damage the small blood vessels in your retina, causing swelling, bleeding, and worsening vision issues.

4. How to Manage Blood Sugar?

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a sign that it’s time to start managing your blood sugar. The first step? Ditch the refined carbs, processed foods, and sugar. Instead, load up on fiber-rich whole grains and veggies. And don’t forget to move—taking a light walk 30 minutes to an hour after meals (when blood sugar peaks) can help keep it in check.

Incorporating light exercise is also crucial. When blood sugar levels peak, taking a light walk 30 minutes to 1 hour after eating can help lower them. Recording how different foods affect your blood sugar is also beneficial for managing it.