High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, isn’t just a problem for people with diabetes — it can affect anyone and often goes unnoticed until serious complications develop. Glucose, or blood sugar, is your body’s primary source of energy, but when it rises too high, it can cause lasting damage if ignored. Understanding the signs and managing your levels early is key to maintaining good health.

Blood sugar levels are tightly controlled by insulin, but factors like poor diet, chronic stress, and certain medical conditions can throw this balance off, causing dangerous spikes—even in people without diabetes. Watch out for these 12 common signs: excessive thirst, frequent urination, intense hunger, fatigue, blurry vision, wounds that take too long to heal, frequent infections, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, mood swings, dry skin and mouth, fruity-smelling breath, and swollen legs or feet.

Ignoring high blood sugar can lead to severe issues such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney damage, vision loss, nerve problems, and even mental health struggles. The good news? You can take control through simple lifestyle changes: eat balanced meals rich in fiber and low in sugar, exercise regularly, stay well-hydrated, monitor your blood sugar, and manage stress through mindfulness or relaxation techniques.

In short, high blood sugar can be silent but harmful. Paying attention to your body’s signals and adopting healthy habits early can make all the difference in protecting your long-term well-being—whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.