Symptoms Symptoms of increased blood sugar include fatigue, increased appetite if enough blood sugar is wasted into the urine, and increased urination as the sugar causes the kidney to produce higher volumes to dissolve the excess load. When the latter occurs, thirst is increased as well to make up for the lost body fluid. One of the defenses against acidity is to decrease the carbon dioxide in the blood, which is accomplished by increasing the rate and depth of respiration. Page 2 The full blown picture of ketoacidosis is a dehydrated, obtunded or even comatose patient, who is breathing heavily with a characteristic odor to the breath from the ketones in the blood. The lesser symptoms are as above.
Diabetics are prone to symptoms from the complications due to arterial blockage discussed above.
Vision loss, heart problems, and loss of kidney can occur. Nerves in the legs, arms, and face can become painful or numb for weeks, months, or permanently. Many of these complications require the presence of the disease for decades or more. Once the diagnosis is suspected, or an elevated sugar is detected on screening lab work, certain criteria have been established for doctors to follow. The normals vary with age, and certain factors can interfere with the test.