How to recognize and what to do about hyperglycemia

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

To get a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels, it is sometimes enough to just sit and be nervous.

Hyperglycemia Hyperglycemia - StatPearls literally translated from ancient Greek - "very sweet blood." Not that the ancient Greeks followed in the footsteps of Dracula, but the Hellenic Aesculapians once noticed: sometimes, when people get sick, their blood takes on a sweetish taste.

Modern scholars generally agree with the Greeks. They call hyperglycemia a condition in which blood sugar levels rise sharply.

Why is hyperglycemia dangerous?

Let's say right away: each of us experiences a jump in sugar levels several times a day. For glucose to rush into the blood in a powerful stream, it is enough to eat something nutritious.

True, sugar in the blood does not linger for a long time: it is quickly absorbed by the brain, lungs, heart, other internal organs and tissues for which glucose is the main fuel. Such situations are completely natural and safe.

It's another matter if, for one reason or another, the glucose level rises and remains high for more or less a long time. As defined by the World Health Organization Diabetes and Hyperglycaemia, hyperglycemia is a condition in which:

• Your blood sugar stays above 7 mmol / L (126 mg / dL) on an empty stomach, that is, 7-8 hours after your last snack.
• Sugar levels exceed 11 mmol / L (200 mg / dL) 2 hours after eating.

Such situations are already dangerous. A prolonged excess of glucose in the blood damages blood vessels and nerve fibers, which can ultimately lead to Hyperglycemia leading to cardiovascular problems, decreased vision, malfunctioning of internal organs and deadly metabolic disorder (ketoacidosis).

What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia

It is not difficult to recognize a prolonged increase in blood sugar levels: hyperglycemia has quite characteristic signs.

First, the following symptoms of Hyperglycemia occur:

• Constant thirst - the patient drinks a lot.
• Frequent urination.
• Vision problems - most often in the form of fog in front of the eyes.
• Constant hunger.
• Numbness or tingling in the legs.

If hyperglycemia lasts for days or weeks, additional symptoms appear:

• Weakness, fatigue, a feeling of lack of strength - even with the once familiar activities.
• Regular headaches.
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Decreased concentration, distraction.
• Feeling of constant dryness in the mouth.
• The appearance of skin and vaginal (in women, naturally) infections.
• Hair loss on the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction (this applies only to men).
• Long-lasting scratches and cuts.

Where does hyperglycemia come from?

There are several causes of Hyperglycemia in diabetes that can cause hyperglycemia. Spoiler alert: the most common one is at the end of the list.

1. You eat too much

And especially press on carbohydrate foods. Organs and tissues take from the blood just as much glucose as they need. And if, after they have received their dose, there is still a lot of sugar in the blood, it develops - hyperglycemia.

2. You are too passive

Due to low mobility, glucose in the blood remains unclaimed for a long time.

3. You are overwhelmed and continue to do so

When your brain thinks you are in danger, it triggers a fight-or-flight response. Energy is needed to escape or to fight, so the body will dramatically increase Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons blood glucose levels to be sure to supply organs and tissues with nutrition.

If you really jump into battle or run away, this sugar will quickly be used up. But if you are nervous, but not moving, glucose has nowhere to go, because the cells of the body are not hungry and do not need additional energy. So, due to stress, blood sugar levels remain elevated for a long time.

4. Your body is fighting an internal infection or trauma

This is a type of stress that the body reacts to in the same way as a physical threat.

5. You have liver disease

The liver is able to accumulate glucose in order to throw it into the blood at the right time at the command of the brain. However, if the liver is damaged, it can act without command to maintain consistently high blood sugar levels.

6. You have diabetes

This is a disease in which organs and tissues simply cannot accept glucose, and it remains in the blood. The point here is insulin: this hormone is a kind of key that "opens" the cells of the body and lets glucose into them.

Sometimes insulin in the body is sorely lacking, which means that the cells have nothing to "open" - in this case, they speak of type 1 diabetes. Sometimes it is there, but the cells are insensitive to it (insulin resistant) - this is the essence of type 2 diabetes.

Most often, hyperglycemia is a consequence of one of the types of diabetes.

What to do if you have (or suspect) hyperglycemia

The first step is to see a therapist. You will be asked to have a blood sugar test to determine the level. If hyperglycemia is confirmed, the doctor will begin to deal with its causes. And, as mentioned above, it is highly likely to suspect diabetes or a condition preceding it.

Medication may be prescribed depending on your diagnosis. Most often, insulin or other medications to lower glucose levels. In addition, you will need to measure your blood sugar regularly to monitor your condition and prevent prolonged bouts of hyperglycemia. The doctor will give detailed instructions on how to do this.

But not by drugs alone. You can get your sugar back to normal by making simple lifestyle changes.

1. Drink plenty of water

The fluid helps to remove excess sugar from the blood by urinating more often.

2. Change your eating habits

You should reduce the number of fast carbs (especially cakes, pastries, baked goods, sugary drinks), as well as reduce portion sizes and switch to regular meals without snacks. This step may require the help of a qualified dietitian who will work with you to prescribe a healthy diet.

3. Move more

When you are active, organs and tissues consume more glucose. This means that the level of sugar in the blood decreases. But there is an important nuance: in some cases of diabetes, physical activity is undesirable.

Therefore, before signing up for a gym or going out for a morning run, be sure to consult with your doctor. He will tell you how often and how much you can exercise, as well as what exercises are preferable.

4. Don't forget to take your medication

It is important. An accidentally missed insulin injection will spike your glucose and worsen your condition. If, on the contrary, you forget that you have already used the drug and use it again, there is a risk of hypoglycemia, a condition that can be no less dangerous than its hypervariant.

5. Learn to relax

Your job is to keep stress from taking over. There are many relaxation techniques that allow you to calm down in just a couple of minutes. Use them.