Disease In Focus: High Blood Sugar
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) affects people who have diabetes. Several factors can contribute to hyperglycemia in people with diabetes, including
food and physical activity choices, illness, nondiabetes medications, or skipping or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication.It's
important to treat hyperglycemia, because if left untreated, hyperglycemia can
become severe and lead to serious complications requiring emergency care, such
as a diabetic coma. In the long term, persistent hyperglycemia, even if not
severe, can lead to complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, nerves and
heart.
SYMPTOMS OF High Blood Sugar
Hyperglycemia
doesn't cause symptoms until glucose values are significantly elevated — above
200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 11 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Symptoms of hyperglycemia develop slowly over several days or weeks. The longer
blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious the symptoms become. However,
some people who've had type 2 diabetes for a long time may not show any
symptoms despite elevated blood sugars.
Early signs and symptoms High Blood Sugar
Recognizing early symptoms of hyperglycemia can help you treat the condition promptly. Watch for:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Headache
Later
signs and symptoms
If hyperglycemia goes untreated, it can cause toxic acids (ketones) to build up in your blood and urine (ketoacidosis). Signs and symptoms include:
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Coma
- Abdominal pain
COMPLICATIONS
Untreated hyperglycemia can cause long-term complications. These include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) or kidney
failure
- Damage to the blood vessels of the retina
(diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness
- Clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye
(cataract)
- Feet problems caused by damaged nerves or poor
blood flow that can lead to serious infections, and in some severe cases,
amputation
- Bone and joint problems
- Skin problems, including bacterial infections,
fungal infections and nonhealing wounds
- Teeth and gum infections
- Emergency complications
If blood
sugar rises high enough or for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to two
serious conditions.
Diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis develops
when you don't have enough insulin in your body. When this happens, sugar
(glucose) can't enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and
your body begins to break down fat for energy.
This process produces toxic acids
known as ketones.
Excess ketones accumulate in the blood and eventually "spill over"
into the urine. Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to a diabetic
coma and be life-threatening.
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. This condition occurs when people
produce insulin, but it doesn't work properly. Blood glucose levels may become
very high — greater than 600 mg/dL (33 mmol/L). Because insulin is present but
not working properly, the body can't use either glucose or fat for energy.
Glucose is then spilled into the
urine, causing increased urination.
Left untreated, diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome can lead to
life-threatening dehydration and a coma. Prompt medical care is essential.
Home blood sugar monitoring
Routine
blood sugar monitoring with a blood glucose meter is the best way to be sure
that your treatment plan is keeping your blood sugar within your goal range.
Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor recommends.
If you
have any signs or symptoms of severe hyperglycemia — even if they're subtle —
check your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level is 240 mg/dL (13
mmol/L) or above, use an over-the-counter urine ketones test kit. If the urine
test is positive, your body may have started making the changes that can lead
to diabetic ketoacidosis. You'll need your doctor's help to lower your blood
sugar level safely.
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
During an
appointment, your doctor may conduct an A1C test. This blood test indicates
your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It works by
measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the
oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
An A1C
level of 7 percent or less means that your treatment plan is working and that
your blood sugar was consistently within the target range. If your A1C level is
higher than 7 percent, your blood sugar, on average, was above the normal
range. In this case, your doctor may recommend a change in your diabetes
treatment plan.
However,
for some people, especially the elderly, people with other medical conditions,
or advanced diabetes complications, a higher A1C level of up to 8 percent may
be appropriate.
Keep in mind that the normal range for A1C
results may vary somewhat among labs. If you consult a new doctor or use a
different lab, it's important to consider this possible variation when
interpreting your A1C test results.
How often
you need the A1C test depends on the type of diabetes you have and how well
you're managing your blood sugar. Most people with diabetes, however, receive
this test between two and four times a year.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
The
following suggestions can help keep your blood sugar within your target range:
Follow
your diabetes meal plan. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medication, it's
important that you be consistent about the amount and timing of your meals and
snacks. The food you eat must be in balance with the insulin working in your
body.
Monitor
your blood sugar. Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record
your blood sugar level several times a week or several times a day. Careful
monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains
within your target range. Note when your glucose readings are above or below
your goal range.
Take your
medication as prescribed by your health care provider.
Adjust
your medication if you change your physical activity. The adjustment depends on
the blood sugar test results and on the type and length of the activity.