Hyperglycemia literally translated from ancient Greek means “very sweet blood”. It’s not that the ancient Greeks followed in the footsteps of Dracula, it’s just that the Hellenic Aesculapius once noticed that sometimes when people get sick, their blood acquires a sweetish aftertaste.
In the Iodine telegram channel, Lifehacker talks about health based on the research of scientists. Everything so that you do not miss dangerous symptoms, buy working drugs and take care of yourself properly.
Modern scholars generally agree with the Greeks. They call hyperglycemia a condition in which the level of sugar in the blood rises sharply.
Why is hyperglycemia dangerous?
Let’s say right away: each of us experiences a jump in sugar levels several times a day. In order 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, and other internal organs and tissues, for which glucose is the main fuel. Such situations are absolutely natural and safe.
Another thing is if, for one reason or another, the glucose level rises and remains high for more or less a long time. According to the World Health Organization, hyperglycemia is a condition in which:
- Blood sugar stays above 7 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) on an empty stomach, that is, 7-8 hours after you last had a snack.
- Blood sugar level exceeds 11 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) 2 hours after a meal.
Such situations are already dangerous. Prolonged excess of glucose in the blood damages blood vessels and nerve fibers, which can eventually lead to cardiovascular problems, decreased vision, malfunction of internal organs and a 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 occur :
- Constant thirst – the patient drinks a lot .
- Frequent urination.
- Vision problems – most often in the form of fog before the eyes.
- Constant feeling of hunger.
- Numbness or tingling in the legs.
If hyperglycemia drags on for days and weeks, there are additional signs:
- 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?
Here are a few reasons that can cause hyperglycemia. Spoiler: the most common is at the end of the list.
1. You eat too much.
And especially push on carbohydrate foods. Organs and tissues take exactly as much glucose from the blood 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 the low mobility of glucose in the blood, it remains unclaimed for a long time.
3. You got nervous and keep doing it
When the brain thinks you’re in danger, it triggers the fight-or-flight response. To escape or fight, energy is needed, so the body sharply increases the level of glucose in the blood in order to ensure that the organs and tissues are nourished.
If you really rush into a fight or run away, this sugar will quickly be used up. But if you are nervous, but do not move, there is nowhere for glucose to go, because the cells of the body are not hungry and do not need additional energy. Thus, due to stress, blood sugar levels remain elevated for a long time.
4. Your body is fighting an internal infection or has suffered an injury.
This is a type of stress to which the body reacts 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, maintaining constantly high blood sugar levels.
6. You have diabetes
This is a disease in which organs and tissues simply cannot take 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 there is a catastrophic lack of insulin in the body, which means that there is nothing to “open” the cells – in this case, they speak of type 1 diabetes . Sometimes it is present, 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 type of diabetes.
What to do if you have (or suspect) hyperglycemia
The first step is to see a therapist. You will be asked to take a blood test for sugar to determine its 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.
Depending on the diagnosis, you may be prescribed medication. Most often, insulin or other medications to lower glucose levels. In addition, you will need to regularly measure your blood sugar levels to monitor your condition and prevent prolonged attacks of hyperglycemia. The doctor will give detailed instructions on how to do this.
But not drugs alone. You can bring sugar back to normal by making simple lifestyle changes.
1. Drink more water
The liquid allows you to remove excess sugar from the blood with the help of frequent urination.
2. Change your eating habits
You should reduce the amount of fast carbohydrates (especially cakes, pastries, store-bought, sugary drinks), as well as reduce portion sizes and switch to regular meals without snacking. You may need the help of a qualified dietitian to help you prescribe a healthy diet for this step.
3. Move more
When you are active, organs and tissues consume more glucose. This means that blood sugar levels decrease. But there is an important nuance: in some cases, with diabetes, physical activity is undesirable.
Therefore, before signing up for a gym or going for a morning run, be sure to consult with your doctor. He will tell you how often and how much you can train, as well as what exercises are preferable.
4. Don’t Forget Your Medications
It is important. Accidentally missed an injection of insulin will lead to a spike in 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 earning hypoglycemia – a condition that can be no less dangerous than its hypervariant.
5. Learn to relax
Your task is not to let stress take over. There are many relaxation techniques that allow you to calm down in just a couple of minutes. Use them.