What are High & Low Blood Sugar Levels?
Introduction
Sugar is the new Tobacco. Why? Because like tobacco, Sugar can cause serious damage to our health and immune system. We all know that sugar accelerates tooth decay, but unchecked consumption of sugary foods can spike and plummet blood glucose levels and lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and treatments are therefore vital to leading a healthy life.
Hyperglycemia
Associated with Diabetes, Hyperglycemia is a condition when blood glucose level rises dangerously high and the body’s insulin level remains low. A person is likely to have impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes with a blood glucose level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL while fasting (8 hours without eating) and 180mg’/dL 1-2 hours after eating.
Symptoms
These develop gradually over time and may include:
- Excessive thirst
- Increased appetite
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Severe symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fruity breath
- Rapid breathing
- Unconsciousness
Causes
People suffering from Type I Diabetes are unable to produce sufficient insulin. Whereas people diagnosed with Type II Diabetes are resistant to insulin or their bodies produce too little. Non-diabetic patients face hormonal fluctuations. Common risk factors include:
- Family history of Type II Diabetes
- Being overweight
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- History of gestational diabetes
- Having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Treatment
Adopting a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and exercise, along with medication is the only real solution. Your doctor may consider multiple factors like age and overall health when creating a tailored treatment plan.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose level drops too low – below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). For non-diabetic individuals, diagnosis can be made if blood glucose levels are lower than 55 mg/dL accompanied by Hypoglycemia symptoms. Although it is usually associated with Diabetes, other causes can be certain medications, alcohol, hormonal imbalances, or a serious illness. In rare circumstances, tumors may also cause Hypoglycemia.
Symptoms
Signs that your blood sugar is lower than it should be are:
- Racing pulse
- Getting cold sweats
- Face getting pale
- Headaches
- Increased appetite
- Shivering and feeling weak in knees
- Feeling restless, nervous, or anxious
- Difficulty concentrating, confusion
Causes
Low blood sugar is common among people who take Insulin but also occurs from taking certain oral medications for diabetes. Common causes include:
- Improper diet
- Skipping meals
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking excess insulin or diabetes medicine
- Strenuous exercise without proper meals or adjusting medication
Treatment
Pure glucose is often advised for the treatment of Hypoglycemia, however, carbohydrates containing glucose will help raise blood glucose levels. However, everything must be done in moderation as overdoing this could cause Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). For ease follow the “15 – 15 Rule”. Eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbs (which are easily digestible), wait 15 minutes, check blood sugar level, and repeat until blood sugar level returns to at least 70 mg/dL. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider, since frequent unexplained crashes could be early signs of prediabetes.
Conclusion
Both low and high blood glucose level conditions can be life-threatening for you — therefore, they should never be taken for granted. People who frequently encounter either of the conditions should regularly trace their blood sugar levels. Regular monitoring and medical check-ups may prevent you from developing any critical disease. If you are looking to consult with a diabetes specialist to discuss your current medical condition, then please don’t hesitate to reach Dr. Nagwa Khalil Akasha via Call or Email.
Ph: +971 507541446
E: drnagwa.marketing@gmail.com