Those with diabetes have high blood sugar, and over time, if neglected, elevated blood glucose levels can affect different aspects of health. One of the common complications is joint pain. Joints keep the bones from rubbing together, prevent breakage, allow movement, and provide dexterity. Joint pain or discomfort may be temporary or chronic, affecting the ability to perform daily activities. Diabetic joint pain could also stem from musculoskeletal or nervous system problems. Here are a few complications of high blood sugar that can cause joint pain: Musculoskeletal conditions When left untreated, diabetes can cause the breakdown of the musculoskeletal system, causing joint pain and limiting movement. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing the following conditions that cause joint pain and discomfort. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Symptoms include pain in the arm and hand, sensation of pins and needles, hand or wrist weakness, and tingling or numbness. Dupuytren’s contracture: Here, drawing up or thickening of the skin of the palm is the most common symptom. Over time, this condition may limit the ability to fully straighten the fingers. Trigger finger: Common symptoms for this condition include finger stiffness, popping or clicking sensation during movement, and tenderness or bumps at the base of the affected finger.

Excessive sugar consumption is a significant risk factor for various health conditions. While many organs can get affected by eating too much sugar, the liver is among the most susceptible. When people indulge in sugary foods too often, the liver’s workload intensifies. In other words, it works harder to process and metabolize the excess sugar entering the bloodstream. Consequently, this increases the risk of liver disease and damage with time. Signs of liver disease due to excessive sugar intake When the liver is affected due to excessive sugar consumption, the body exhibits specific symptoms. Knowing these symptoms can help people prioritize liver health and make informed decisions regarding their sugar intake: Dark urine Liver disease caused by excessive sugar consumption can impact the production and flow of bile, resulting in changes in urine and stool color. Dark urine, along with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and discoloration of the eyes, can indicate a disruption in the liver’s ability to process and eliminate waste products properly. Fatigue and lack of energy Unexplained fatigue and a constant lack of energy are prominent signs of liver disease caused by high sugar intake. When the liver is burdened with processing excess sugar, it struggles to maintain stable insulin levels and regulate blood glucose effectively.

Despite some of its benefits, sugar is generally considered to be bad for one’s gastrointestinal health. Excessive sugar consumption causes a host of serious health conditions for people such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and stool-related issues. Sugar tends to affect a person’s gut particularly badly, in case the consumption levels are high. An individual with high blood sugar will experience certain symptoms indicative of serious gastrointestinal disorders. Four such common symptoms are discussed below. Gas When one consumes excessive sugar, it cannot be broken down by the digestive system. As a result, the sugar is not absorbed by the body and it sits and ferments in an individual’s bowels. Additionally, the sugar moves slowly through one’s large intestine. This results in the festering of bad bacteria and yeast in the bowels and lower intestinal areas, causing a build-up of gas. Generally, gas is accompanied by acute abdomen pain, spasms, and cramping in those with high blood sugar levels. Vomiting Hyperglycemia, the medical term for high blood sugar, often happens when an individual’s body is either not producing enough insulin or the body cannot use this insulin properly. This results in gastrointestinal disease symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Apart from those, frequent urination is also experienced by individuals with high blood sugar due to this mechanism.

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when a person has had high blood sugar levels for a long time. It causes nerve damage that progresses over several decades. It is a common and often serious complication for those with long-term type 1 and type 2 diabetes. People have to manage their blood sugar levels to prevent further complications. This is why it is important to watch out for these signs of diabetic neuropathy due to excessive sugar levels. Frequent feelings of numbness One of the common signs of diabetic neuropathy due to excessive sugar levels in the blood is the frequent feeling of numbness in the extremities. Some people are not able to feel their feet while they are walking. The feeling of tingling or burning is also experienced in the feet or hands. Some also feel they are wearing gloves or socks when they are not. Sudden shooting pains Diabetic neuropathy can also cause a person to experience sudden and sharp pains in their body. It usually occurs in the hands and often feels like an electric current passing through. The shooting pain can also cause cramping while the person is trying to grasp something like a spoon or a glass of water.

Sleeping helps the body repair and rejuvenate the cells, which helps an individual stay energetic and free from health complications. Each individual must get between seven and eight hours of sleep daily. That said, given people’s busy lives, thousands do not meet the daily criteria for rest. Such individuals may suffer from multiple complications due to a lack of sleep. Here are four warning signs of sleep deprivation to look out for: Reduced cognitive function Getting the right amount of rest helps the brain generate new connections between the nerve cells, improve focus and productivity, and analyze and process information. So if one finds trouble with any of these functions, they might experience sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep may result in brain exhaustion and impair cognitive function. One should get this diagnosed by an expert because a sleep-deprived brain can affect day-to-day functioning. Decreased immune system The body is prone to illnesses, including a cold, cough, and headache. However, if the symptoms occur on multiple occasions or are chronic, that could indicate a weakened immune system. The body revitalizes and repairs itself during sleep. Lack of proper rest could prevent the restoration of cells, which may deteriorate one’s immunity. Furthermore, insufficient rest could make one susceptible to infections and hamper recovery.

Breastfeeding is a unique process that new mothers have to learn. No two feeding experiences are alike, so one has to figure out what works for them. This can help one cherish this phase of nurturing a newborn. Additionally, one may have to pump and store breast milk for times when they may not be able to breastfeed. There can be some hiccups along the way, so here are common breast-pumping mistakes to avoid: Using the wrong shield size The breast shield comes in different sizes to suit different women. The standard size is 24mm; however, this may not fit everyone, so one may have to check and re-order a shield in the right size. Pumping with the wrong size shield can lead to pain in the nipples, reduced output, and also nipple damage. So one should find the best shield size for them. Stopping too soon This is a common mistake one can make. When pumping breast milk, one may begin to notice that the milk dribbles out. After a few seconds, the milk can start to spray out from the milk ducts. This is called a letdown reflex, which a lot of mothers describe being a pins and needles sensation.

The kidneys help filter and remove waste and additional water to make urine. The organ is susceptible to complications that may stem from a range of underlying factors, including excessive sugar intake. However, an obstacle individuals face in this regard is identifying whether a particular symptom results from eating too many sugar-rich foods or another underlying health complication. Therefore, here are five signs of poor kidney health due to excess sugar intake. Sudden loss of pounds There are many reasons one may lose a couple of pounds, including regular exercise, ongoing treatments, and a change in eating habits. However, a sudden reduction might indicate the onset of type 3 diabetes. This may occur due to excess glucose circulating in their body, which is transferred to urine. One may not put on additional pounds even if they eat more to satisfy their hunger. Frequent infections It is normal to contract an infection at some point in life. However, people who ingest too much sugar may suffer from such complications regularly. The inability of the kidneys to filter out excess sugar from the blood could cause the property to mix with urine. And this may lead to frequent urinary tract or yeast infections.

Your body needs some percentage of sugar to generate energy for the cells and organs. So it is okay to have sugar in your meals and snacks in moderation. When you start having excess sugary foods, the body cannot utilize the extra sugar. This leads to several health disorders, including issues related to your digestive system. On that note, here are a few signs of gastrointestinal disorders due to excessive sugar. Bloating and gas Eating too much dessert or other sugar-based foods can make you feel good—but only for a while. However, you will soon feel bloated due to the increased gas production in your intestines. In addition, the sugar prevents the appropriate absorption of water in the intestines, causing you to feel a lot of bloating. The gas and bloating can cause a lot of discomfort. Diarrhea or constipation Consuming excessive sugar can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria in your digestive system. This can cause changes in your bowel movements. Also, there is barely any fiber or fluid in most sugar-based foods, such as pastries, cookies, and cakes. These factors can lead to diarrhea or constipation, affecting your gastrointestinal health. Abdominal pain or cramping You can experience these gastrointestinal signs due to excessive sugar, especially when the foods contain sorbitol and xylitol.