Hyperglycemia - Understand the Causes, Signs and Symptoms to Better Protect Yourself

Hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar, is a serious problem that causes many major complications in people with diabetes. This condition develops when there is too much sugar in the blood. There are two specific types:

Fasting occurs when the blood sugar levels become greater than 90-130 mg/dL after fasting for at least 8 hours.

Postprandial or after-meal occurs when the blood sugar levels are greater than 180 mg/dL. This can happen after a large meal about one to two hours after eating it. If this happens consistently it can be an indicator that the person is at risk or can be developing type 2 diabetes.

When it becomes frequent and for long periods of time it can cause nerve damage, blood vessels and other body organs can occur. It can also lead to some more serious conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis in people with type 1 and hyperglycemia hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) in people with or at risk for type 2.

Causes

- Skipping or forgetting to take medication
- Eating too many grams of carbohydrates
- Eating too many calories without burning off the excess
- Infection
- Illness
- Increased amounts of emotional stress
- Decreased activity or not exercising enough
- Strenuous physical activity

Symptoms

- Increased thirst
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue including weakness or tired feeling
- Weight loss
- Blood sugar levels at more than 180 mg/dL

If not controlled it may result in:

- Vaginal and skin infections
- Slow healing cuts and sores
- Decreased vision
- Nerve damage which causes painful cold or insensitive feet, loss of hair on the lower parts of the body, and/or erectile dysfunction
- Stomach and intestinal problems such as chronic constipation or diarrhea

Treatment Options and Prevention

- Drink more water to help remove the excess sugar from your urine and to help keep you hydrated.
- Exercise more this will help your body to lower your blood sugar levels.
Caution: For type 1 diabetics if your blood sugar is over 240 mg/dL you need to check your ketones in your urine. If you have ketones, do NOT exercise. For type 2 diabetics if your blood sugar is over 300 mg/dL, even without ketones, do NOT exercise.
- Change your eating habits.
- Change or adjust your medications. Always talk to your health care provider before making any changes or adjustments to your medications.
- Educate yourself on natural supplements and take ones that can help balance the body and help control blood sugar levels.

If you have diabetes or think you could be developing the early signs of it start a chart and make a record of several of your blood sugar levels before you call your health provider.

Return to top of Hyperglycemia/ Diabetes Complications/ Alzheimer's Disease/ Cancer/ Diabetes Neuropathy/ Diabetic Ketoacidosis/ Eye Diseases/ Gum Disease/ Heart Disease /Hyperglycemia/ Hypoglycemia/ Kidney Disease/