When blood sugar rises quickly, the first symptoms can sneak up on you. You might think you’re just tired, but — especially if you’re living with diabetes — dizziness or a pounding headache can signal dangerously high blood sugar levels.
Sometimes a snack and a little water are enough to turn it around. But when the symptoms don’t fade, it’s time to get checked out.
At Getwell Urgent Care in Southaven, we’re here to help you retake control of the moment.
What counts as a blood sugar emergency?
High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is what happens when your body can’t move glucose out of the bloodstream and into your cells. This causes sugar to build up in your blood, draining your energy and focus — and in severe cases, even threatening consciousness.
And hyperglycemia often develops slowly. Many people don’t feel symptoms until their blood sugar is already quite high.
How high is too high? According to the Cleveland Clinic:
For someone without diabetes:
- A fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dL or higher on more than one test may confirm a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
- A fasting level between 100–125 mg/dL is regarded as prediabetic.
- Over 125 mg/dL on too many occasions often leads to a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
For someone with diabetes:
- Blood sugar above 180 mg/dL, one to two hours after eating, is considered high.
- Levels above 250 mg/dL often indicate a major diabetic episode in people with Type 1 diabetes.
In Mississippi, high blood sugar is a daily reality for many. The American Diabetes Association reports that nearly 15% of adults in the state have diabetes. That’s why we take this so seriously here at Getwell Urgent Care.
What does high blood sugar feel like?
People describe how it feels to have high blood sugar in different ways, but some that come up repeatedly are:
- Unusually frequent trips to the bathroom
- Thirst that doesn’t go away no matter how much water you drink
- A fruity smell in the breath
- Intense fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Dry mouth
- Brain fog
It feels like you’re running on fumes and can’t get your body or brain to fully “turn on.” The key thing to recognize is that these symptoms don’t always feel urgent, but they can become dangerous fast. It’s important to get yourself checked out before too much time passes.
Steps you can take right away for high blood sugar
If you’ve just checked your blood sugar and received a high reading, stay calm and take a few simple actions. Acting early can often prevent a serious situation from getting worse.
Here’s what the American Diabetes Association suggests that you can do right away:
- Drink water — hydration helps your body flush out excess glucose through urine.
- Take your medications — if you’ve missed a dose or are off schedule, take the next prescribed dose as directed. Don’t double up unless your provider has told you to.
- Avoid extra carbs or sugary snacks — stick to your regular meal plan or eat something with protein if needed.
- Move your body gently — light activity, like walking, can help lower blood sugar, but don’t overdo it if you start feeling sick.
Pay close attention to your symptoms. If you begin to feel even worse symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or confusion, it could be a sign of a serious complication that needs immediate care.
At Getwell Urgent Care, we can provide fast-acting relief and bloodwork to help you know what step to take next.
Trusted and local help at Getwell Urgent Care
It’s an excellent idea to come see us at Getwell Urgent Care whenever you’re having trouble with your blood sugar. We’re located right here in Southaven and accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare.
Time is a crucial factor with high blood sugar cases — you don’t want to be sitting in the waiting room while your symptoms get worse. Getwell Urgent Care is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and we’re more than happy to take walk-in patients.
Remember, waiting too long is one of the biggest mistakes people make with their blood sugar. Come see us today before things get out of hand.