Identifying High Blood Sugar – Tips For Managing And Treating Your Hyperglycemia

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is a medical condition where an individual has more glucose or sugar in the blood than their body can utilize. Blood sugar comes from all the foods we eat daily. It is used by our body as a source of energy so body cells can function efficiently. However, when we eat too much or eat high a carb diet without exercise, this can cause our blood sugar levels to rise.  As blood sugar increases, it may lead to the condition known as diabetes mellitus. Alternatively, other medical conditions can be the culprit of its elevated levels such as the Cushing’s syndrome.

Occurrence:

Over 23 million Americans are diagnosed with high blood sugar or diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association. If the condition is left untreated, it will likely result in several complications like hypertension, heart problem, kidney anomaly, blindness, liver problem and in the most serious cases, even death.

Causes of High Blood Sugar

  • Inappropriate Diet

Eating foods and drinking beverages that have high amounts of carbohydrates can lead to blood sugar spikes temporarily.

  • Exercises

As our bodies become use to a certain level of activity or exercise, at some point it may react by heightening the amount of sugar in our blood if an activity is stopped for several days in a row.

  • Stress Or Pressure Due To Various Problems

Stress or pressure brought about by problems can affect bodily functions, including blood sugar levels.

  • Sickness

Most of the time a physical shock can lead to blood sugar spikes such as an accidental injury, high grade fever, or when a person undergoes a surgery.

  • Medications and Other Treatments

There are medications than can cause elevated blood sugar as well as treatments like physical therapy.

Identification

It is crucial for individuals particularly those with diabetes to always check their blood sugar levels several times a day. To prevent from having elevated sugar levels in your blood, you should know your body and keep track of the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia. You should also take note of possible things such as, excessive thirstiness, frequent urination, weakness, blurred vision and dry skin. These signs might tell you that your blood sugar is elevated.  In addition, you should pay a visit to your physician or specialist so they can diagnose you for any blood sugar problem you may have.

Now Lets Review Some Common Signs

  • Frequent urination
  • Increase thirstiness
  • Increase hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Tiredness
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent infections  such as yeast infections

Managing Diabetes Effectively

 

  • Use Blood Sugar Meter

 

To find out how the foods and beverages can affect the level of your blood sugar, use a glucose meter when you change your diet or consume new food or beverage.

 

  • High Blood Sugar Diet

 

Maintain low fat and low carb diets. The preceding can help lessen the amount of calories eaten and this can lead to lowering of insulin resistance, lowering blood sugar and even lose weight, but staying within your normal weight. Modifying your diet will help manage your sugar intake to prevent elevating your sugar levels.

 

  • Stay Active

 

To maintain your blood sugar within the normal range, you really need to perform regular exercise but see to it that the exercises can’t harm your overall health. In this case, consult your doctor prior to doing any exercise particularly those who are diagnosed with diabetes since they need special management and treatment.

 

  • Follow The Doctor’s Prescription For Your Medication

 

For diabetic patients, you should follow the dosages of your insulin medications to prevent from being hypoglycemic (lowering of blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (heightening of blood sugar). This can also prevent you from severe complications brought about by inappropriate diabetes management.

 

 

What is a normal blood sugar level?

Basically, the normal blood sugar level of an individual is 80-120 mg/dl but may sometimes fluctuate because of several factors, such as, daily food intake, activities, and maintenance medications.  Nonetheless, don’t be alarmed right away if you encounter an increase in your blood sugar because it doesn’t always mean that you have diabetes already. Certain tests and a diagnosis from the physician must be taken in consideration before jumping on a conclusion.

How to Prevent from Having High Blood Sugar?

Although diabetes is a lifelong condition which means irreversible or can’t be cured. It can still  be managed to prolong your life with less chance of getting serious complications. According to National Institutes of Health, a good diabetes treatment can decrease the incidence of complications by about 60%.

Treatments of diabetes include:

  • Checking your blood sugar regularly
  • Using blood testing
  • Taking prescribed medications appropriately
  • Keeping fit and healthy by means of exercising and eating the right types of foods.  Check a diabetic food pyramid to follow approved meal plans.
  • Having regular check-ups with your physician, diet specialist and other part of the health care team that you may have.

 

It is vital for individuals to maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range because when blood sugar gets too high or too low, it puts your health in jeopardy. Hence, you really need to equip yourself with information about how to identify, control, treat and/or prevent high blood sugar tendencies.