Diabetes patients have hyperglycemia, often known as high blood sugar. People with diabetes who have hyperglycemia may be affected by a number of things. They consist of things like diet and exercise, health issues, and diabetes-unrelated drugs. Hyperglycemia may also result from skipping dosages, not using enough insulin, or using insufficient amounts of other blood sugar-lowering drugs.
Treatment of hyperglycemia is crucial. Hyperglycemia may worsen and lead to major health issues that need emergency treatment, including a diabetic coma, if it is left untreated. Even mild hyperglycemia that persists may cause issues with the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and nervous system.
Symptoms
Blood sugar (glucose) levels exceeding 180 to 200 mg/dL, or 10 to 11.1 mmol/L, or the symptoms of hyperglycemia typically don’t appear until they are high.
Hyperglycemia symptoms develop gradually over days or weeks. The severity of the symptoms may increase the longer blood sugar levels are elevated. However, despite having high blood sugar levels, some patients with type 2 diabetes who have had it for a long period may not exhibit any symptoms.
Early Warning Indicators
Early signs of hyperglycemia may be recognized, making it easier to diagnose and treat. Beware of:
- often urinating
- heightened thirst
- distorted vision
- feeling flimsy or abnormally exhausted
Additional Symptoms And Signs
If hyperglycemia is left untreated, harmful acids known as ketones may accumulate in the blood and urine. Ketoacidosis is the name of this disorder. These signs include:
- a fruity breath scent
- mouth ache
- continent pain
- nausea and diarrhea
- breathing difficulty
- confusion
- consciousness loss
Causes
The body converts meal carbs like those in bread, rice, and pasta into sugar molecules during digestion. Glucose is the name of one of the sugar molecules. It is one of the body’s primary sources of energy. After you eat, glucose is absorbed and immediately enters your circulation; but, without the assistance of insulin, it is unable to penetrate the cells of the majority of bodily tissues. A hormone produced by the pancreas is insulin.
The pancreas releases insulin as the blood glucose level increases. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells by opening them. This gives the cells the fuel they need to function correctly. The muscles and liver store extra glucose.
By doing this, the blood glucose level is reduced and kept from rising to dangerously high levels. The pancreas produces less insulin when the blood sugar level returns to normal.
Diabetes significantly lessens the physiological effects of insulin. This could be the case if, as in type 1 diabetes, your pancreas is unable to generate insulin. Or, as in type 2 diabetes, it might be due to your body’s resistance to the effects of insulin or insufficient insulin production.
Glucose tends to accumulate in the bloodstream of diabetics. Hyperglycemia is the name given to this disorder. If not treated appropriately, it might rise to dangerously high levels. In order to reduce blood sugar levels, medications such as insulin are employed.
Risk Factors
Hyperglycemia may be caused by a variety of reasons, including:
- Utilizing insufficient amounts of insulin or other diabetic medications
- Improper insulin administration or the use of out-of-date insulin
- Not adhering to your diabetic diet plan
- Avoiding activity
- Experiencing a disease or infection
- Using certain drugs, including steroids or immunosuppressants
- Getting hurt or undergoing surgery
- Mental stress brought on by troubles at work or in the family
Stress or illness may lead to hyperglycemia. This is due to the fact that hormones your body produces to combat stress or disease may also raise blood sugar. To maintain blood glucose levels within the desired range when unwell or under stress, you may need to take additional diabetes medication.
Complications
Long-Term Consequences
Many issues associated with diabetes may be avoided by maintaining blood sugar levels in a safe range. Non-treatment of hyperglycemia may result in the following long-term complications:
- A cardiovascular condition
- Damage to the nerves (neuropathy)
- Diabetic nephropathy, or kidney damage, or renal failure
- Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina’s blood vessels that may result in blindness.
- Foot issues that may result in severe skin infections, ulcerations, and, in some extreme instances, amputation due to damaged nerves or insufficient blood flow
- Joint and bone issues
- Gum and teeth infections
Emergency Difficulties
Two dangerous illnesses may develop from extremely high blood sugar levels or untreated high blood sugar levels.
Ketoacidosis in diabetics. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, this disease may develop. This prevents glucose from supplying energy to your cells. Your body starts to break down fat for energy when your blood sugar level increases.
The poisonous chemicals known as ketones are created when fat is broken down by the body to generate energy. In the blood, ketones build up and finally leak into the urine. Diabetes ketoacidosis, if left untreated, may result in a diabetic coma, which can be fatal.
Hyperosmolality and hyperglycemia. When the body produces insulin, yet the insulin doesn’t function effectively, this disease develops. Without ketoacidosis, blood glucose levels may rise to beyond 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L). If you have this illness, your body won’t be able to burn either fat or glucose for energy.
The subsequent conversion of glucose to urine results in increased urination. Diabetes-related hyperosmolar hyperglycemia may cause serious dehydration and coma if left untreated. It’s crucial to get medical attention for it immediately.
Prevention
In order to maintain your blood sugar levels in a healthy range:
- Adhere to your food plan for diabetes. Be consistent with your meal and snack schedule if you use insulin or an oral diabetic treatment. Your diet has to be balanced with how your body is using insulin.
- Check your blood sugar levels. You may check and record your blood sugar level many times a week or several times a day, depending on your treatment plan. The only way to guarantee that your blood sugar level remains within your desired range is via careful monitoring. Make a note if your glucose levels fall or rise outside of the desired range.
- Pay close attention to the instructions provided by your doctor for taking your medicine.
- If your physical activity changes, adjust your medication. The modification is based on the results of a blood sugar test as well as the kind and duration of the exercise. Consult your healthcare professional if you have any queries about this.