A blood sugar spike, or hyperglycemia, typically feels like a gradual onset of symptoms that may include:
- Increased thirst and dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue or feeling weak and tired
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Hunger or cravings, sometimes leading to irritability ("hangry" feeling)
- Headache
These symptoms arise because excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, and the body struggles to use it effectively for energy. When blood sugar rises sharply after eating carbs or sugary foods, you may initially feel tired and thirsty. As insulin works to lower the glucose, a rapid drop can lead to hunger and irritability, prompting cravings for more sugar and causing a cycle of spikes and crashes
. Some people may not notice symptoms immediately or may have mild, vague signs. If blood sugar remains high for too long, more severe symptoms like fruity-smelling breath, nausea, confusion, and shortness of breath can occur, signaling diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency
. In summary, a blood sugar spike often feels like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, hunger, and mood changes such as irritability
