The human body naturally has sugar, or glucose, in the blood. The right amount of blood sugar gives the body’s cells and organs energy. An excess level of blood sugar is known as hyperglycemia. The liver and muscles produce some blood sugar, but most of it comes from food and drinks containing carbohydrates. The body needs insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a typical range. Insulin is a hormone that directs the body’s cells to take up glucose and store it.
If there is not enough insulin or it does not work properly, blood sugar builds up. High blood sugar levels can cause health problems. This article explores what hyperglycemia feels like, why it occurs, and the signs of high blood sugar. Read on to find out more.
What is hyperglycemia?
High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, primarily affects people who have diabetes. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. It can also happen when your body is unable to absorb insulin properly or develops a resistance to insulin entirely.
Hyperglycemia can also affect people who don’t have diabetes. Your blood sugar levels can spike when you’re ill or under stress. This occurs when the hormones that your body produces to fight off illness raise your blood sugar.
The longer the condition lasts, the greater is the damage which can be done to different body parts, especially the kidneys, blood vessels, eyes and the nerves.
People who suffer from this condition have increased levels of blood sugar which is related to different factors such as:
– Lack of exercise
– High levels of stress
– Different illnesses, such as a cold
– Dehydration
– Overeating
– Steroid medications
– In addition, kids and young adults can also experience episodes of hyperglycemia in their puberty or adolescence.
High blood sugar symptoms
If your sugar levels are high, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have diabetes, it is merely one of the symptoms for it. Interestingly, some people with hyperglycemia don’t have any symptoms that point to it.
Most common high blood sugar symptoms:
– Blurred vision
– Frequent and night time urination
– Dry mouth
– Lack of concentration
– Recurring infections
– Impotence
– Slow healing wounds
– Fatigue and tiredness
– Constant thirst
– Dry and itchy skin
– Constant hunger
– Excess abdominal fat and weight gain
– Problems with the nerves
How to prevent high blood sugar
– Follow your meal plan. Call your doctor, nurse, or dietitian if you do not think your meal plan is right for you.
– Check your blood sugars as ordered by your doctor or nurse.
– Take your diabetes medicines as prescribed.
– Call your doctor or nurse when blood sugars are high for 2 to 3 days.
Sources: medicalnewstoday.com, home-tricks.info, healthline.com
