When blood sugar levels become too high, it’s called hyperglycemia. It can happen for two reasons: either the body doesn’t have enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it has in the right way. That being said, some people may not even realize that they already have it until it’s already too late.
If you want to know its different causes and symptoms, look no further than our examples below.
1. Its Causes Can Either Be Insulin Resistance or Reduced Insulin Production.
a. Insulin resistance
When a person’s body has become insulin resistant, it means that the cells have become accustomed to the presence of insulin, so they don’t need as much of it. Therefore, they lose the ability to absorb glucose. At this point, the pancreas will try to produce more insulin. However, since the body is resistant to it, insulin can’t do its job anymore.
b. Insulin deficiency
This is the most common cause of hyperglycemia, where the body doesn’t have enough insulin for the cells to use. Without insulin, the cells can’t absorb glucose from the blood, so it builds up instead. The pancreas will react to this increased blood sugar level by producing more insulin to try and solve the problem. However, the cells just don’t respond as they should – which is why blood sugar levels will continue to rise, and insulin will have to increase as well.
2. Its Symptoms Are Always Obvious.
a. If a person has insulin resistance, their blood sugar will be high but generally won’t be high enough to cause damage.
b. If a person has insulin deficiency, the blood sugar will be high enough to cause damage to the eyes, nerves, heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.
3. It Can Lead To Serious Health Problems, Even Death.
a. Brain
When blood sugar levels become too high, it can cause damage to the cells in the brain. This is a severe health problem, as it might lead to a coma or cause a person to become unconscious.
b. Kidney
The kidneys help in filtering out excess glucose from the blood. When hyperglycemia occurs, the kidneys will filter the glucose out of the blood, which means that it won’t enter the urine. This extra glucose will build up in the blood, which will cause tissue damage.
c. Heart
Hyperglycemia can cause problems with the heart and blood vessels. This may include irregular heartbeats, which can cause heart failure or a stroke.
d. Eye
When hyperglycemia occurs, it prevents the retina from receiving enough oxygen. This often leads to blurry vision, which will gradually become worse.
e. Limb
The muscles and bones will suffer if hyperglycemia is left untreated.
How to Control Hyperglycemia
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are recommended treatments for hyperglycemia. Although you shouldn’t be strict about controlling your blood sugar levels, you can prevent hyperglycemia from worsening.
1. Watching Your Diet.
There are foods that you can eat regularly that will help keep your blood sugar levels under control. Foods like oatmeal, eggs, sugar-free yogurt, and salmon are all part of a healthy diet. Avoid foods such as white bread, white rice, and sugar, as they will not keep your blood sugar levels in check.
2. Exercising Regularly.
Exercising regularly can help lower your blood sugar levels. Any physical activity you do regularly, such as walking or jogging, will help keep your blood sugar under control.
3. Taking Medication.
Some medications can help if you have hyperglycemia. However, you won’t be able to take these medications if you have type-2 diabetes, as they can make the condition worse.
Conclusion
High blood sugar levels can cause severe complications if they are left untreated, so it is vital to recognize the symptoms of hyperglycemia. These include dry mouth, frequent urination, blurred vision, drowsiness, and unusual thirst. If you develop any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
Take note of our tips above to mitigate the effects of the disease.
If you are looking for primary care doctors in New Jersey that will tend to your Hyperglycemia, look no further than our practitioners here at Garden State Medical Group. Our board-certified physicians and specialists practice multidisciplinary integrative and functional medicine with a focus on prevention, management, and education. Call us today to book your very first health check-up with us.