home Audience 1 How to understand that sugar is rising. What are the symptoms of high blood glucose (sugar)? How symptoms develop

How to understand that sugar is rising. What are the symptoms of high blood glucose (sugar)? How symptoms develop

An increase in blood glucose levels is also called hyperglycemia. The phenomenon is often observed in carbohydrate metabolism disorders due to various physiological changes. Sugar enters the human body along with food, then is transported through the blood to all organs. There are certain standards for the presence of glucose in the blood. In a healthy person, the norm is considered to be 3.3-5 mmol/l. This standard is established for analysis taken from the patient’s finger; venous blood often has a higher concentration.

The glycemic level is an important indicator of the proper functioning of the human body. Changes in the indicator towards a decrease/increase may be an indicator of a disease. Hormones monitor the maintenance of glycemic levels within acceptable limits. The main hormone responsible for sugar levels is insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. If there is an increase in sugar concentration in the body, the pancreas increases the production of the desired hormone. Insulin promotes the penetration of sugar into human cells, thereby reducing its content.

In case of hyperglycemia, the source of this phenomenon should be established. The causes can be natural or pathological. The presence of pathology is not judged by one analysis. If an elevated level is detected, it is advisable to repeat the analysis. If repeated results do not fit into the norm, then the doctor should find out why the glucose level is increasing.

Natural causes of increased glucose levels

Sometimes sugar concentrations naturally increase in healthy people. If not enough time has passed after eating food, the analysis will be unreliable. At least 10 hours must pass from the last meal to the test. Glycemic levels also naturally increase with stress, extreme fatigue, and anxiety. In women, an increased rate before menstruation is considered natural. Smoking and heavy physical activity also affect the indicator.

Collection of the analysis should take into account the natural causes of increased concentrations. You should take the test early in the morning, on an empty stomach. You should stop smoking before the test.

Pathological causes of hyperglycemia

The most common pathological cause of increased sugar levels is diabetes. Diabetes comes in different types. Each type differs in the mechanism for increasing sugar.

In type 1 disease, an increase in glucose concentration is caused by the fact that the pancreas cannot cope with the production of insulin. In this type of diabetes, the immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin.

In type 2 disease, iron produces the required amount of insulin, but the hormone is not able to interact with the cells of the body. At the same time, the glucose level in the blood increases, and the cells feel the lack.

Diabetes in pregnant women falls into a separate category. During pregnancy, there is insufficient production of insulin, and, consequently, high blood sugar; after childbirth, the condition usually normalizes. The development of this disease in the early stages can cause complications - developmental defects in the child. If women show signs of high blood sugar during pregnancy, they should consult a specialist.

There are other causes of high blood sugar besides diabetes. These include:

pathology of the endocrine gland;
disorders of the pancreas;
various liver diseases;
the occurrence of infections;
taking certain medications.

A temporary increase in the indicator can be observed with burns of varying degrees, during an epileptic seizure, or with severe pain.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia

The main symptoms of high blood sugar in an adult are:

If you identify the above symptoms, you should consult a specialist and immediately take a blood test for glycemia. Severe deviations from the norm can lead to seizures and deterioration of breathing and heart function. Signs of high blood sugar detected in time will help provide the necessary timely assistance.

Sometimes the increased concentration is not expressed by certain symptoms, the person feels relatively normal, but diabetes develops in a latent form. This type of diabetes is often diagnosed accidentally during a routine examination.

Consequences of elevated glucose concentrations

A critically high rate can cause severe complications. A person may fall into a state characterized by damage to the central nervous system. This condition manifests itself in a developing disorder of the nervous system and may be accompanied by loss of consciousness and simple reflexes.

A sharp increase in blood sugar can cause metabolic disturbances, thereby causing coma. Coma states are characterized by a high probability of death, so it is very important to seek medical help as soon as the first signs are identified.

A prolonged increase in glucose levels causes late complications, such as:

retinal lesions;
diabetic foot (development of gangrene);
renal failure.

Ways to lower glucose concentrations

If the cause of increased blood sugar is the development of diabetes, then the first steps to normalize glycemia should be: developing a proper diet and prescribing the necessary medications.

If you have type 1 diabetes, the patient needs to take insulin daily by injection. Treatment of type 2 diabetes involves regular use of medications aimed at stimulating insulin production and restoring the ability of cells to accept the produced hormone.

If a person is completely healthy, nothing will bother him. However, today, unfortunately, there are very few such people. In this article I would like to talk about such a problem as high blood sugar. Why does this happen, and how to behave correctly in this case?

Main

The cells of the human body will definitely contain sugar. However, it is very important that it does not exceed permissible limits. If we talk about numbers, then glucose should not “step over” the 100 ml per deciliter mark. If the readings are slightly too high, the patient may not feel anything. However, with a pathological increase in sugar, certain symptoms appear. It is also important to say that a one-time increase in blood sugar is not an indicator that the patient has a disease such as diabetes.

Where does sugar come from?

Doctors say that there are two main sources of increased blood sugar.

Carbohydrates that enter the body with food.
Glucose, which passes from the liver (the so-called “depot” of sugar in the body) into the blood.

Symptoms

If a patient has high blood sugar, the symptoms may be as follows.

Copious and fairly frequent urination. In medical practice this is called polyuria. If sugar exceeds a certain level, the kidneys begin to actively work and remove excess fluid from the body. In this case, the following symptom occurs.
Intense thirst. If a person is constantly thirsty and cannot get drunk, this is a reason to consult a doctor. Since this is the first symptom of high blood sugar.
Skin itching.
If a patient has high blood sugar, symptoms may also affect the genitourinary system. So, this may be itching in the groin, as well as discomfort in the genital area. The reason for this is frequent urination, which can lead to the proliferation of various microbes in the genital area. Inflammation of the foreskin in men and vaginal itching in women are also important symptoms that may indicate elevated sugar levels.
In patients with high blood sugar, scratches do not heal for a long time. The situation is even worse with wounds.
Another sign of high blood sugar is an electrolyte imbalance. This happens because microelements important for the body are washed out in the patient’s urine. In this case, the following symptoms may be observed: muscle and calf cramps, as well as problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
If a patient has high blood sugar, the symptoms will be as follows: lethargy, loss of strength, drowsiness. The thing is that with elevated sugar, glucose is not absorbed by the body, and accordingly, a person has nowhere to get a charge of strength and energy.
Another symptom is a constant feeling of hunger and, as a result, weight gain.

Causes

What can cause high blood sugar? What reasons do doctors identify for this problem in this case?

Hereditary factor or genetic predisposition. Those. If the patient has had similar diseases in his family, he is at risk.
Autoimmune diseases (the body begins to perceive its own tissues as foreign, attacking and damaging them).
Obesity (can be both a cause and a consequence of increased blood sugar).
Physical and mental injuries. Most often, blood sugar increases after experiencing stress or strong experiences.
Impaired blood supply to the pancreas.

Target organs

So, high blood sugar. The symptoms of this disease are clear. What will be the first impact of this glucose surge? So, the eyes, kidneys, and also limbs can suffer the most from this. Problems arise due to the fact that the vessels that supply these organs are affected.

Eyes. If the patient experiences an increase in blood sugar, the symptoms will affect the eyes. So, with a long-term condition, the patient may experience retinal detachment, then optic nerve atrophy will develop, followed by glaucoma. And the most terrible scenario is complete irreparable blindness.
Kidneys. It is important to say that these are the most basic excretory organs. They help remove excess glucose from the body in the early stages of the disease. If there is too much sugar, the renal vessels are injured, the integrity of their capillaries is disrupted, and the kidneys are doing their job worse and worse every day. If the increase in sugar is severe, then proteins, red blood cells and other substances important for the body are also excreted along with the urine, which leads to the development of kidney failure.
Limbs. Signs of high blood sugar may also affect the patient's extremities. The condition of the blood capillaries of the legs worsens, as a result of which various types of inflammatory processes can occur, which lead to the development of wounds, gangrene and tissue necrosis.

Short-term causes of high blood sugar

The patient may also experience elevated glucose levels (high blood sugar) for a short period of time. The following conditions may cause symptoms.

Pain syndrome.
Acute myocardial infarction.
Epilepsy attacks.
Burns.
Liver damage (which leads to glucose not being fully synthesized).
Traumatic brain injuries, when the hypothalamus is primarily affected.
Stressful conditions that cause the release of hormones into the blood.

In addition to the above problems, a short-term increase in sugar can be caused by taking certain medications (thiazide diuretics, glucocorticoids), as well as oral contraceptives, psychotropic substances and diuretics. If you take these drugs for a long time, a disease such as diabetes may develop.

Tolerance test

As it was said earlier, if a patient has elevated blood sugar levels, this does not mean that he has a disease such as diabetes. However, it is best to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After all, if you start timely treatment, you can avoid irreversible processes. So, in this case, the doctor will refer the patient for tests, the main one of which will be a tolerance test. By the way, this study is indicated not only for patients with symptoms of high sugar, but also for the following categories of people:

those who are overweight;
patients whose age exceeds 45 years.

The essence of the analysis

The test must be carried out with the presence of pure glucose in the amount of 75 g (it can be bought at the pharmacy). The procedure for this will be as follows.

The patient donates blood on an empty stomach.
After this, drinks a glass of water containing the required amount of glucose.
After two hours, the blood is donated again (this analysis is often carried out not in two, but in three stages).

Conditions

In order for the test results to be correct, the patient must fulfill a list of simple but important conditions.

You can't eat in the evening. It is important that at least 10 hours pass from the last meal to the first blood test. Ideally - 12 hours.
On the day before the test, you should not load your body. Sports and heavy physical activity are excluded.
There is no need to change your diet before taking the test. The patient must eat all those foods that he consumes regularly.
It is necessary to avoid stress and emotional overstrain.
The test must be taken after the body has rested. After working a night shift, the test results will be distorted.
On the day of donating blood, it is also best not to overexert yourself. It is better to spend the day at home in a calm environment.

Test results

The test results are very important.

The diagnosis of “impaired tolerance” can be made if the level is less than 7 mmol per liter on an empty stomach, as well as 7.8 - 11.1 mmol per 1 liter after drinking a solution with glucose.
The diagnosis of “impaired fasting glucose” can be made if fasting values are in the range of 6.1 - 7.0 mmol/l, and after taking a special solution - less than 7.8 mmol/l.

However, in this case, do not panic. To confirm the results, you will have to do another ultrasound of the pancreas, take a blood test and test for the presence of enzymes. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations and at the same time adhere to a special diet, the signs of high blood sugar may soon disappear.

Prevention

In order not to encounter such a problem as high blood sugar, a person must adhere to special preventive measures. So, a special diet that must be adhered to will be very important.

If the patient is overweight, the diet should be low-calorie. At the same time, proteins and fats should be present in the menu every day. Carbohydrates should not enter the body in excessive quantities.
If you have high sugar levels, you need to eat food often and in small portions.
You need to completely avoid foods such as crackers, chips, fast food, and sweet carbonated water.
You need to monitor the amount of calories you consume. If a person leads an active lifestyle and plays sports, the diet should contain a normal amount of calories. Otherwise, food should be low-calorie.
It is better to consume boiled and stewed foods. You need to avoid fried foods, smoked foods, and alcohol. You should especially avoid flour products, sweets and alcohol.
Food should contain a minimum amount of salt and animal fats.
The last meal should be no later than two hours before bedtime.
Drinks include coffee and tea without sugar, you can also take herbal teas and freshly squeezed juices.

If a person's blood sugar levels have increased, it is best to consult a doctor. However, you can also cope with this problem yourself. To do this, it is enough to use traditional medicine.

Collection. To lower blood sugar, you need to take one part flaxseed and two parts of the following ingredients: bean pods, dried blueberry leaves, and oat straw. All this is crushed. To prepare the medicine, you need to take three tablespoons of the mixture, pour 600 ml of boiling water, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. After this, the liquid is filtered and cooled. It is taken three tablespoons three times a day before meals.
Dandelion. If a patient has a slight increase in blood sugar, he needs to eat about 7 baskets of dandelion daily.
To ensure that sugar is always normal, you need to grind one tablespoon of buckwheat in a coffee grinder, pour it all with a glass of kefir, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, the medicine is drunk half an hour before meals.

All carbohydrates that come from food are broken down into glucose. Subsequently, it is absorbed under the influence of insulin and provides the body with the necessary energy. In normal conditions, blood sugar levels range from 3.5–5.5 mmol/l. In men, this value can rise to 5.8 mmol/l.

In certain diseases, the pancreas stops producing insulin and glucose levels rise. This condition is called hyperglycemia and can lead to serious consequences.

Causes of high blood sugar

Blood glucose levels can fluctuate due to pathologies of internal organs and exposure to external factors.

Among somatic diseases, diabetes mellitus occupies the main place. Elevated blood sugar is the main symptom of this disease. Another pathology that leads to a constant increase in glucose is obesity. Chronic liver and kidney diseases can also cause high blood sugar levels.

Often a hereditary predisposition becomes a predisposing factor. If the patient has relatives with diabetes, he should regularly check his blood glucose levels.

High sugar levels can be caused by autoimmune diseases. The body begins to mistake its own cells for foreign ones, as a result of which the process of their destruction begins. First of all, this applies to the glandular tissues that make up the pancreas.

Another common cause of high blood sugar is acute circulatory disorders. The pathology affects the nutrition of all organs, including those that ensure the correct balance of all biochemical parameters.

A temporary increase in glucose levels can be triggered by a violation of the diet (consuming large amounts of sweets), severe psycho-emotional stress, severe pain, or taking certain medications (diuretics, glucocorticosteroids, oral contraceptives).

In women, high blood sugar is often diagnosed during pregnancy. During this period, hormones begin to be produced that provoke the release of glucose into the blood. But at the same time, they are antagonists of insulin, and it becomes insufficient to break down excess carbohydrates. Thus, gestational diabetes develops. Predisposing factors are excess body weight, genetic predisposition, late pregnancy.

High blood sugar can occur not only in adults, but also in children. In newborns, in the vast majority of cases, this is due to the intravenous administration of large doses of glucose. Elevated blood sugar is especially common in premature babies with low body weight. Another reason is the lack of the hormone responsible for the breakdown of proinsulin. In some cases, insulin resistance is observed.

In children of preschool and school age, high blood sugar is often associated with malnutrition, stress and chronic infectious diseases. Most often, after eliminating the possible causes, the glucose level returns to normal.

During the period of active growth of the child, endogenous counter-insulin hormones begin to be produced. They provoke a decrease in insulin synthesis, which causes periodic fluctuations in glucose levels.

Diabetes mellitus, the main cause of high blood sugar, is rare. At the same time, only type I diabetes is diagnosed in children - insulin-dependent.

If you have high blood sugar, your diet should include eggs, lean meat and fish, fermented milk products, rye bread, vegetables, rice, oatmeal and buckwheat.

Symptoms of high blood sugar

The main symptom of high blood sugar is extreme thirst and hunger. When glucose levels are high, the kidneys begin to work actively, leading to the removal of fluid and, as a result, dehydration of the body. In this case, there is frequent urination and constant thirst.

Hunger develops due to insufficiency of insulin, which processes carbohydrates into glucose. Due to increased appetite, weight gain begins. Therefore, sudden weight gain can also be a symptom of high blood sugar.

Due to frequent urination, pathogenic microflora begins to multiply in the genital area, resulting in severe itching of the genitals. With further development of the process, inflammation of the foreskin develops in men, and vulvovaginitis in women.

Itching is noted not only in the genital area. Patients suffering from high blood sugar complain of severe itching of the skin.

When glucose levels are high, electrolyte balance is disrupted. Due to frequent urination, essential microelements are washed away. This leads to cramps in the calf muscles and disruption of the cardiovascular system.

Another characteristic symptom of high blood sugar is prolonged healing of scratches and minor skin damage. This is especially dangerous if surgery is necessary. In people with high glucose levels, wounds take a very long time to heal, the risk of developing postoperative complications increases, and recovery of the body occurs slowly.

With elevated sugar levels, your overall health also worsens. Glucose is not absorbed, therefore, the energy required for the normal functioning of the body decreases. Patients begin to complain of loss of strength, weakness, and drowsiness.

Behavior also changes. Due to constant poor health and poorly healing wounds, irritability appears. Severe itching of the skin is provoked by insomnia, resulting in a feeling of chronic fatigue.

Consequences of high blood sugar

The main danger with high blood sugar is damage to the blood vessels that supply organs and tissues. The eyes, kidneys and limbs are primarily affected.

When the nutrition of the retina of the eye is disrupted, its detachment begins. Subsequently, optic nerve atrophy develops. In the absence of the necessary treatment, as well as in the case of severe diabetes mellitus, glaucoma is diagnosed. In some cases, complete blindness may develop.

With a high level of sugar in the blood, the vessels of the kidneys are injured and the integrity of their capillaries is compromised. Removing fluid from the body becomes difficult, swelling appears. In the case of a severe process, not only the body’s waste products, but also the proteins it needs, begin to be excreted in the urine, which can cause kidney failure.

When the vessels of the lower extremities are damaged, tissue nutrition is disrupted, which leads to the development of non-healing ulcers, and subsequently necrosis and gangrene. In severe cases, amputation of the limb is performed to prevent the spread of the pathological process to the entire body.

Treatment for high blood sugar

What to do if the examination reveals a high level of glucose in the blood is decided only by specialists. Endocrinologists treat diabetes mellitus.

Therapy for high blood sugar involves eliminating the cause of this condition. In most cases, after treatment of concomitant pathologies, the glucose value returns to normal.

If diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed, then for type I, insulin injections are prescribed, for type II - oral administration of glucose-lowering drugs.

A special diet is of great importance in correcting blood glucose levels. It includes the concept of a bread unit, which corresponds to 10 g of carbohydrates. There are special tables designed for diabetics. They describe the correspondence between main products and grain units.

Sweets, sugar, white bread and flour products, and certain cereals are excluded from the diet. In this case, the diet should be balanced and contain the necessary microelements and fatty acids. Fatty meat and fish, smoked foods, milk, sweet fruits and berries are prohibited.

It is advisable to eat in small portions. There should be 5-6 meals per day. This way carbohydrates are better absorbed, which has a positive effect on fluctuations in glucose levels.

With elevated sugar levels, your overall health also worsens. Glucose is not absorbed, therefore, the energy required for the normal functioning of the body decreases.

If you have high blood sugar, your diet should include eggs, lean meat and fish, fermented milk products, rye bread, vegetables, rice, oatmeal and buckwheat. As for fruits, it is recommended to give preference to green apples, blueberries, cranberries, quinces and lemons. For cooking, it is better to use flaxseed or rapeseed oil.

There is also a certain number of products containing a minimum amount of carbohydrates. They cannot lower blood sugar levels, but their consumption practically does not increase glucose levels. First of all, these are seafood - crabs, lobsters and lobsters. Soy cheeses, greens, mushrooms, nuts and legumes are considered low-glycemic.

Very often, people suffering from diabetes use sugar substitutes instead. Many endocrinologists categorically do not recommend doing this. Sweeteners are very high in calories and can cause an increase in glucose levels. It is better to completely replace sugar with permitted fruits.

Preventing high blood sugar

Glucose levels rise in the presence of predisposing factors and poor lifestyle. In order to avoid the development of a pathological condition, it is necessary to follow certain preventive measures.

If you are overweight, following a low-calorie diet is recommended, since obesity is one of the risk factors for high blood sugar.

Nutrition should be balanced, satisfying the body's need for micronutrients. Fast food, sweets, and carbonated drinks are completely excluded. Salt, sugar and animal fats are kept to a minimum. As for drinks, it is better to give preference to herbal teas and permitted juices.

A healthy lifestyle is of great importance. It is recommended to completely abandon bad habits. Smoking is often a trigger for high blood sugar.

Moderate physical activity is required. Swimming, walking, and performing simple exercises improves blood circulation, which improves nutrition of tissues and organs.

Following these simple rules will help you avoid increasing blood glucose levels and maintain your health for a long time.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Glucose is one of the substances necessary for the body, nourishing and saturating its cells with energy. But its increased concentration can have a detrimental effect on health and well-being.

The permissible sugar level for an adult is from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/l. Hyperglycemia is an increase in blood glucose, which can be pathological or physiological in nature.

The most common causes of increased blood sugar in women are poor nutrition, pathological processes in the body and mental disorders. This condition is dangerous due to its possible complications, so it requires immediate response from the person. Quick diagnosis and competent treatment aimed at adjusting sugar levels will gently and effectively cope with the symptoms of hyperglycemia.

Causes of hyperglycemia

To achieve the most effective treatment, the doctor determines the cause of the increase in blood sugar in women.

Let's consider diseases that often provoke the development of hyperglycemia:

Diabetes mellitus is caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin. The patient suddenly loses or gains weight, experiencing an insatiable feeling of hunger and thirst. During an increase in blood sugar, the patient’s urine contains glucose;
pheochromocytoma involves the release of large amounts of hormones (adrenaline, norepinephrine). In a person, sometimes to abnormal levels, sweating increases, heartbeat increases, and outbursts of uncontrollable anger begin;
pathologies of the endocrine system: thyrotoxicosis, Cushing's disease, which provoke a surge in hormones, which leads to the release of glucose into the blood;
pathology of the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of the hormone insulin. This may be in a chronic or acute form or an oncological disease.
liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, malignant tumor;
taking certain medications, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include: psychotropic drugs, diuretics, Prednisolone and oral contraceptives.

High blood sugar is a clinical symptom that occurs as a result of a particular disease. As you can see, the reasons for high blood sugar in women, besides diabetes, are very extensive.

The reasons for increased blood glucose in women may also be the following:

smoking;
overweight and obesity;
genetic predisposition;
stressful situation or nervous breakdown;
sedentary and secluded lifestyle;
abuse;
systematic overeating and abuse of high-calorie foods;
recent food intake keeps the sugar level at an elevated level until the food eaten is completely absorbed;
systematic mental or physical fatigue.

Short-term hyperglycemia can be triggered by the following phenomena:

pronounced pain syndrome;
seizure due to epilepsy;
severe attack of angina;
acute myocardial infarction;
traumatic brain injuries;
operations on the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of high blood sugar in women

Women are more impressionable than members of the opposite sex, which means they are more susceptible to stress and nervous system disorders.

They also tend to overindulge in sweets, which leads to sugar entering the body, which contributes to an increase in blood sugar levels. This often becomes the cause of excess weight.

The reasons that cause increased glucose in women include everything listed in the previous section. In addition, another possible cause of high blood sugar in women is the premenstrual period.

Pregnancy forces the body to work at an increased pace, and the pancreas does not always cope with such a load. This leads to an increase in sugar concentration in the expectant mother. Thus, gestational diabetes develops, which requires immediate treatment.

If you do not quickly and competently treat gestational diabetes, the following dangerous complications may develop:

oxygen starvation of the fetus, which will lead to early birth;
an excessively large fetus, which will significantly complicate childbirth;
congenital pancreatic defect in an unborn child;
problems with the mental development of the unborn child.

With the development of gestational diabetes, a pregnant woman begins to experience all the symptoms of the pathological syndrome. Glucose levels stabilize immediately after delivery.

Symptoms

As a rule, hyperglycemia is accompanied by a number of symptoms, negatively affecting the patient’s well-being. Their intensity depends on the stage of development of the syndrome.

The main signs of high sugar include:

insatiable feeling of hunger;
noticeable decrease in body weight;
itching of the skin;
dry mouth;
loud and intermittent breathing;
decreased visual function;
frequent urge to urinate and painful emptying of the bladder, which is associated with an increase in fluid intake;
Arrhythmia and increased blood pressure occur due to decreased kidney function. Excess fluid “gets stuck” in the body and contributes to a jump in blood pressure;
constant thirst is understandable, since glucose attracts water. As soon as the sugar level rises, fluid is removed from the entire body, which leads to a constant need for a glass of water;
headaches, fatigue and constant fatigue are caused by starvation of the brain, which receives energy thanks to glucose. In case of insulin deficiency, the brain begins to lack basic nutrition and uses additional energy sources - fat oxidation;
wounds and cuts that do not heal for a long time and begin to fester, which is associated with energy starvation of tissue cells;
the smell of acetone from the mouth is provoked by the oxidation of fats and an increase in the number of ketone bodies in the blood.

Correction of the patient's condition achieves maximum effectiveness in the early stages of hyperglycemia development. If you do not seek the help of a specialist in a timely manner, the patient begins to develop dangerous complications, which sometimes lead to death.

Rules for normalizing blood sugar levels

If hyperglycemia manifests itself with characteristic symptoms, but has not reached a critical point, you can return glucose to acceptable limits using the following rules:

cleanse the body of waste, toxins and other debris, thereby eliminating the causes of failure of the functions of systemic organs. One of the most effective cleansing options is a salt-free diet;
not to heal, but to completely cure all existing pathologies so that the body fully regains its strength;
bring everything back to normal;
stop nicotine consumption;
regularly perform light physical activity and take walks in the fresh air;
adhere to a special diet, excluding “simple” carbohydrates, flour, alcohol, sugar-containing fruits and fatty foods;
an excellent effect is achieved thanks to some traditional medicine;
drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day: fruit drinks, rosehip infusion, herbal decoctions, green;
eat small portions, avoid overeating.

Before starting treatment, you should undergo a diagnosis at a medical institution and consult a practicing specialist. A competent doctor will adjust your diet and select the most effective folk recipes to lower glucose levels.

Video on the topic

Symptoms that will help recognize the development of diabetes mellitus:

It is possible to avoid hyperglycemia if you adhere to a healthy lifestyle and undergo a timely preventive examination by a specialist. People who are predisposed to hyperglycemia should undergo regular testing to detect elevated glucose levels early, before noticeable symptoms appear.

A periodic or constant increase in blood sugar, which is a sign of insufficient absorption by tissues or insulin deficiency, negatively affects the functioning of internal organs, blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Until a certain time, elevated blood sugar does not manifest itself with specific symptoms, although irreversible destructive processes in the most vulnerable organs - the heart, blood vessels, and visual organs - may already begin in the body. Controlling sugar levels and preventing them from rising to dangerous levels is the most accessible measure to prevent diabetes.

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Classmates

Sometimes an impending disease is nevertheless “declassified”, and when blood sugar is elevated, it is signaled by quite distinct symptoms (signs). These manifestations are almost the same among representatives of the opposite sexes.

It is believed that diabetes mellitus has more dangerous consequences for women than for men, since the former quickly lose their vision, lose emotional balance, and turn into “hysterical individuals.” They are much more likely to experience complications from the genitourinary system. Strong thirst (polydipsia), increased appetite against the background of rapid weight loss, increased diuresis, dry mucous membranes - these are the symptoms that occur in a woman with high sugar.

The first sign of high blood sugar in men is usually an increase in the volume of urine produced (polyuria). The consequence of frequent urination is gradual dehydration of the body, leading to irresistible thirst. These are the most characteristic signs of increased blood sugar, which are symptoms in men. In addition, obesity or, conversely, weight loss, irritability or apathy, prolonged festering of wounds and increased fatigue may occur.

Main symptoms of diabetes

Signs of a sharp increase

When a sudden and sharp increase in blood sugar, usually occurring as an initial symptom of type I diabetes, the patient's condition is life-threatening. It is accompanied by:

Both the sick person and the people around him should know what to do in circumstances when sugar is elevated, especially if this happens suddenly.

Why does it increase?

Elevated significantly higher, manifested by characteristic symptoms, is called hyperglycemia. To understand how to treat this condition, it is necessary to find the cause of hyperglycemia. A high sugar level does not always indicate the onset of diabetes, but this factor is at the top of the list of reasons for an increase in this indicator. Several other factors that cause blood sugar to rise:

vitamin deficiency due to deficiency of biotin, vitamin B7;
eating disorders, gluttony (often with bulimia nervosa, manifested by an uncontrollable passion for satiety);
drug therapy with corticosteroids, protease inhibitors, fentamidine, niacin, thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, some antidepressants, antitumor drugs from the group of monoclonal bodies;
non-diabetic hyperglycemia due to stress after a stroke or myocardial infarction;
inflammatory, infectious or organ diseases accompanied by a decrease in tissue insulin resistance (atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary artery disease, etc.);
chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex.

It is possible to determine exactly why sugar increases only through careful differential diagnosis, medical history, and testing.

What does a high level mean and why is it dangerous?

Let's take a closer look at the issue of high blood sugar. As noted above, when this indicator becomes sharply elevated, it means that hyperglycemia has developed and the question arises of how to treat it.

Normally, 2 groups of hormones regulate blood sugar levels:

insulin is the only hormone that has hypoglycemic (sugar-lowering) properties;
hyperglycemic (increasing sugar) - growth and adrenal hormones (glucocorticosteroids), glucagon.

Insulin, to a greater or lesser extent, affects all parts of metabolic processes in the body, the first of which is carbohydrate. This process provides the body with energy to carry out all other functions - blood circulation, breathing, movement, etc. Activation of insulin production by the endocrine cells of the pancreas occurs when the sugar content rises, from which the tissues acquire the ability to absorb this carbohydrate.

Mechanism of action of insulin

At what indicators is the level considered high? To answer this question, let’s remember the normal ranges: 3.5–5.5. Indicators that are above the upper limit of the reference range are considered elevated.

Most patients understand that if blood sugar is elevated in the results of a blood test, something needs to be done to stabilize it, but few understand why an elevated level is dangerous. Persistently elevated plasma sugar potentiates disruption of all types of metabolism:

protein;
fat;
carbohydrate;
water-salt and mineral.

Having acquired a chronic course, hyperglycemia progresses to diabetes mellitus, which threatens such multiple organ disorders as:

diabetic angiopathy, including increased fragility and permeability of blood vessels, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary disease, encephalopathy;
diabetic foot syndrome - trophic ulcers, pain in the calf muscles, destruction of the joints and bones of the feet due to poor circulation in the lower extremities;
nephropathy – damage to the vessels of the kidneys, with disruption of their functions up to failure (observed in 40-45% of patients 15-20 years after diagnosis);
retinopathy - damage to the blood vessels of the eyes, destruction of the retina and its detachment, leading to loss of vision, is found in 80-95% of patients
polyneuropathy – damage to peripheral nerve endings, leading to impaired sensitivity, chilliness and swelling of the extremities, paresthesia (a feeling of “crawling goosebumps”, tingling or burning on the skin), occurs in 75% of patients.

Of all these unpleasant consequences of diabetes, a pathological condition called “diabetic foot” stands out. As a result of progressive damage to the vessels of the extremities and the formation of trophic ulcers, patients develop infection of soft tissues and purulent-necrotic processes (gangrene), in severe cases leading to amputation of the limb.

Loss of limbs, loss of vision, kidney failure – the list of consequences of diabetes is daunting, but it doesn’t end there.

If glucose concentrations suddenly increase to dangerous levels, a person may fall into a hyperglycemic coma. In some cases this ends in death. That's why if you have high sugar levels, you should do everything necessary to regulate its concentration in the blood.

Decoding glucose content

When we talk about blood glucose, it means the same as sugar content, since glucose is the end product of the breakdown of carbohydrates, which serves as the most convenient source of energy for the body. To give an idea of dangerous blood glucose levels, let's compare different blood sugar test results.

Those with this result of a blood sugar test need not worry - the value of 5 mmol/l is within the reference values and does not require correction. In the units of measurement adopted in many countries of the world - milligrams per deciliter - this figure corresponds to 90 mg/dl.

Test strips for glucometer

A reading of 6 mmol/l is also normal, but is a borderline value. This means there is a risk of having high blood sugar in the future. In international units of measurement, the figure corresponds to 108 mg/dl. If such a value is detected, in-depth blood tests may be required.

If the sugar result is 7 mmol/l, this is increased glucose, which, as a rule, means diabetic onset in an adult. In milligrams per deciliter, this is 126 mg/dL. The condition refers to mild hyperglycemia. Confirmation of diabetes mellitus requires mandatory additional studies:

blood stress test for glucose tolerance;
for glucose and ketone bodies in urine;
on insulin and C-peptide in the blood.

The most complete diagnostic picture of diabetes mellitus is provided by the analysis of glycated hemoglobin - the average value of blood sugar determined over 3-4 months.

A value of 8 mmol/l (or 144 mg/dl) indicates moderate hyperglycemia and requires immediate action. An endocrinologist, neurologist or therapist will explain what a person should do with such results, depending on what caused the high sugar.

What to do?

If test results show high blood sugar, this does not necessarily mean that a person needs drug treatment. Making a decision on prescribing hypoglycemic drugs or insulin is the prerogative of a specialist, so the first thing to do when characteristic symptoms and increased sugar concentrations are detected is to consult a doctor. All further actions should be agreed with a medical specialist.

If a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus has already been made, drug therapy is being carried out, but the sugar level still has jumped, all the more so you should seek the help of your doctor in order to avoid life-threatening situations. Such patients should adhere to the following rules before visiting a doctor:

keep glucose levels under control at all times;
drink more water;
and to a minimum;
if glucose is not higher than 14-15 mmol/l, engage in feasible physical activity;
if the glucose level is above 15 mmol/l, you should refrain from physical activity.

When blood sugar is very high (20-33 mmol/l), and it rises spontaneously, the first thing to do is call an ambulance.

Treatment of hyperglycemia, as a rule, consists of a set of comprehensive measures to reduce blood glucose levels, improve metabolism or eliminate the causes of high sugar:

if it was provoked by taking medications, find an adequate replacement for these drugs that does not have such side effects;
when the cause lies in somatic or other diseases, treat them;
if the impetus for the increase was overeating, connect the mechanisms of diet regulation ();
To improve metabolism and normalize body weight, individually selected physical therapy is recommended.

Hormone replacement therapy with insulin is prescribed only when type I diabetes is diagnosed.

The issue of prescribing medications should not be decided by the sick person on their own - the types of medications, as well as their dosage, can only be selected by a doctor.

Since glucose is absorbed by the body only through the hormone (insulin), no food is possible. Therefore, if intensive glycemic control is necessary, one should rely solely on the tenets of evidence-based medicine. To effectively control blood sugar, medicine uses a number of antidiabetic, or hypoglycemic, agents:

insulin preparations intended for intramuscular administration;
meglitinides – active ingredients nateglinide, repaglinide;
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors – miglitol, acarbose;
thiazolidinediones – pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, diaglitazone, etc.;
biguanides – metformin, buformin;
sulfonylurea derivatives - glipizide, gliquidone, chlorpropamide, etc.

The drugs listed below insulin are intended for oral administration in type II diabetes.

Due to a hormonal imbalance, pregnant women may develop a special type of hyperglycemia - gestational diabetes. In this case, glycemia remains normal on an empty stomach, but increases sharply after eating. Such changes in blood sugar are unsafe for the intrauterine development of the fetus, since they can be complicated by abnormalities of the brain and cardiovascular system in the child. In order to identify pathology in advance, pregnant women are shown a glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks.

No special preparations should be made for the procedure of collecting a blood sample for sugar. The test is taken on an empty stomach; you cannot have breakfast on the day of blood donation. A few days before the procedure, follow your usual diet, normal lifestyle, and preferably, do not fast, so as not to provoke a false increase in glucose due to its compensatory production by the liver. Restrictions apply only to actions on the eve of taking blood samples:

do not eat or drink sugary drinks 8-10 hours before donating blood;
limit physical and emotional stress 2-3 hours before the procedure;
On the day of taking the test, do not eat, you can drink, but only clean water.

Any other drinks (tea, juice) drunk before a visit to the laboratory can distort the results of the analysis.

A home blood sugar monitor is helpful for monitoring blood sugar. Today, portable glucometers for private use are popular. These devices are equipped with a glucose oxidase biosensor that can calculate blood glucose levels (glycemia) within seconds. There are several types of glucometers from the first to the latest generations. Included with the measuring device, as a rule, there are additional means of manipulation - scarifiers for pricking a finger, semi-automatic syringe pens for dosed administration of insulin, replaceable cartridges with the active substance. There are devices that measure blood sugar levels without puncture.

Useful video

The video will tell you about the need for an integrated approach to the problem of high blood sugar:

Conclusion

Blood sugar that is much higher than normal is called hyperglycemia.
The causes of hyperglycemia may be disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism and hormonal balance, somatic, endocrine and infectious diseases, taking certain medications, and chronic overeating.
Treatment of hyperglycemia is a complex of measures, including drug therapy, diet and lifestyle improvements.

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