Why is high blood sugar harmful? Causes of high blood sugar - what to do and what is it connected with? Physiological and pathological causes of hyperglycemia

Glucose is the main source of energy in the body. It is formed under the action of enzymes from food obtained. The blood carries it to all cells of the body.

Impaired carbohydrate conversion, as well as the glucose delivery process, can lead to elevated blood glucose levels.

The conversion of carbohydrates into glucose is carried out by several biological processes; its content in the body is influenced by insulin and other hormones. In addition to diabetes, there may be other reasons for high blood sugar.

Blood indicator norms

Blood sugar level is not constant; its value is influenced by various factors. The normal level is 3.5-5.5 mmol/liter. Blood taken from a finger has a lower rate than venous blood.

The standard value for children is 2.8-4.4 mmol/liter.

The permitted limit is higher in older people, as well as in pregnant women. Blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day and depending on food intake. Some conditions of the body can lead to an increase in sugar levels (), there are diseases other than diabetes for which this is typical.

Physiological increase in sugar

Many factors can provoke an increase in glucose levels.

This can happen in a completely healthy person in the following cases:

1. With an unbalanced diet high in carbohydrates. In a healthy body, the increase in the indicator will be temporary, insulin will return everything to normal. If you are overly fond of sweets, you should think about the inevitability of obesity and the deterioration of blood vessels.
2. When taking certain medications. This includes non-selective beta blockers, some diuretics, and glucocorticoids.
3. Stress, excessive physical and mental stress lead to loss of immunity, disruption of hormone production and slowdown of metabolic processes. It is known that during anxiety and stress, the production of glucagon, an insulin antagonist, increases.
4. Insufficient physical activity (physical inactivity) causes metabolic disorders.
5. For severe pain, in particular with burns.

In women, increased blood sugar may also be associated with premenstrual syndrome. Alcohol consumption provokes hyperglycemia.

Video about the reasons for increased glycemic levels:

Pathological causes of increased blood glucose

Glucose obtained in the digestive organs not only enters the cells, but also accumulates in the liver and the cortex of the kidneys. If necessary, it is removed from the organs and enters the blood.

Regulation of glucose levels is carried out by the nervous, adrenal glands, and part of the brain - the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Therefore, it is difficult to answer the question of which organ is responsible for high sugar levels.

Failure of this entire complex mechanism can lead to pathology.

She is provoked by:

• diseases of the digestive tract, in which carbohydrates are not broken down in the body, in particular, postoperative complications;
• infectious lesions of various organs that disrupt metabolism;
• liver damage (hepatitis and others), as a storage facility for glycogen;
• disturbances in the absorption of glucose into cells from blood vessels;
• inflammatory and other diseases of the pancreas, adrenal glands, brain;
• hypothalamic injuries, including those received during medical procedures;
• hormonal disorders.

A short-term increase in the indicator occurs during epileptic seizures, heart attack and angina pectoris. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, this does not always indicate diabetes.

Some people experience persistently elevated glucose levels. However, this value does not reach the figure at which diabetes is diagnosed. This condition is called (from 5.5 to 6.1 mmol/l).

This condition was previously classified as prediabetic. In 5% of cases it ends. People who are obese are usually at risk.

How can you tell if a person’s blood sugar is rising?

1. Increased number of urinations and amount of urine output.
2. Decreased vision.
3. Constant desire to drink, dry mouth. Need to drink even at night.
4. Nausea and headaches.
5. Significant increase in appetite and amount of food consumed. At the same time, body weight decreases, sometimes significantly.
6. Lethargy and drowsiness, constant weakness and bad mood.
7. Dry and flaky skin, slow healing of wounds and injuries, even the smallest ones. Wounds often fester and furunculosis may develop.

In women, when sugar levels rise, infectious lesions of the genital organs often develop, which are difficult to treat. Sometimes there is causeless itching in the vagina and mucous membranes. Men develop impotence.

A sharp increase in the indicator (up to 30 mmol/l) leads to a rapid deterioration of the condition. Convulsions, loss of orientation and reflexes are observed. Heart function deteriorates, normal breathing is impossible. It may come.

Patients often do not understand why their health deteriorates. Relatives are sometimes more noticeable about the changes occurring in a person.

Important: You need to monitor your blood sugar levels and get tested in a timely manner. This is especially important in the case of genetic predisposition.

How to differentiate the disease?

The causes and indicators of high blood glucose levels are determined by a laboratory test called (TSH). In the morning, on an empty stomach, blood is drawn to determine the indicator. After this, the person is injected with a glucose solution, and after 2 hours a repeat blood test is done.

Usually they just give you sweetened water to drink. Sometimes glucose is given intravenously. Testing is carried out in biochemical laboratories. It is also possible to conduct a test with a home glucometer.

Before the procedure, special preparation is necessary, since many factors of life and nutrition can distort the correct picture.

To obtain informative results you must:

• take the test on an empty stomach, you cannot eat for 8-12 hours, no more than 14;
• do not drink alcohol for several days, do not smoke before the study;
• follow the recommended diet for a certain time;
• avoid excessive stress and stress;
• stop taking medications - hormones, sugar-burning drugs and others.

After taking glucose, you need to spend 2 hours at rest before the next blood draw. The study is not done if a simple blood test shows a sugar level of more than 7.0 mmol/l. A high result already indicates diabetes.

The study is not performed in case of acute somatic diseases and if it is necessary to constantly take certain medications, in particular, diuretics, glucocorticosteroids.

TSH results:

Disturbances in glucose metabolism also make it possible to determine the indicators of other compounds that will help to understand why the increase in sugar levels occurred:

• amylin – regulates glucose levels together with insulin;
• incretin – regulates the production of insulin;
• glycohemoglobin - reflects glucose production over three months;
• glucagon is a hormone that is an insulin antagonist.

The tolerance test is informative, but requires careful adherence to all rules of behavior before blood collection.

Ways to reduce the indicator

If diabetes is not diagnosed, it is necessary to identify the reasons for the increase in glucose levels. If the problem is caused by taking medications, the doctor must choose other means of treatment.

For diseases of the digestive tract, liver or hormonal disorders, therapy methods are being developed that, along with treating the underlying disease, will stabilize sugar and bring it back to normal. If it is impossible to reduce the indicator, insulin or sugar-burning agents are prescribed.

Ways to reduce sugar are a specially selected diet, physical activity and medications.

Diet

Developing a diet helps normalize blood composition, and sometimes completely get rid of the problem. Indicated to stabilize glucose. Meals are recommended in small portions 5-6 times a day. You shouldn't go hungry. The calorie content of foods must also be controlled.

You can eat lean meats, poultry and fish. Foods rich in fiber are beneficial. Alcohol must be excluded.

There are food groups that should be excluded from the menu, some should be consumed infrequently and with caution.

Prohibited:

• sausages (all, including boiled sausages and frankfurters);
• baked goods, cookies;
• sweets, sugar, jams;
• fatty types of meat, fish;
• butter, cheese, fat cottage cheese.

You can consume it in moderation by reducing the portion by 2 times:

• bread, loaves;
• fruits, giving preference to sour ones;
• pasta;
• potato;
• porridge.

Doctors recommend eating a lot of vegetables, fresh, boiled and steamed. As for cereals, you should avoid semolina and rice. The most useful one is . Almost anything can be used for cereals. However, you should not eat instant cereals or muesli; you should use only natural cereals.

Rich broths are contraindicated; it is better to eat vegetable broths. Lean meats and fish can be boiled separately and added to the soup. Despite many restrictions, you can eat varied.

Video about diet principles:

Physical training

Moderate exercise and enjoyable sports help improve metabolic processes in the body. It doesn't have to be intense training.

You should choose a method that is pleasant and not difficult:

• walking;
• swimming - in the summer in an open reservoir, at other times in the pool;
• skiing, biking, boating - according to season and interest;
• Swedish walking or running;
• yoga.

Classes do not have to be intense, but must be regular. Duration – from half an hour to one and a half.

The selection of medications is carried out by a doctor if necessary.

Phytotherapy

Some plants, fruits and roots will help to successfully reduce sugar levels:

1. Place laurel leaves (10 pieces) in a thermos and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for 24 hours. Drink ¼ cup warm 4 times a day.
2. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped horseradish is poured with 200 ml of yogurt or kefir. Take a tablespoon three times a day before meals.
3. Boil 20 grams of walnut partitions in a glass of water for an hour over low heat. Take a tablespoon three times a day before meals. You can store the decoction for several days in the refrigerator.
4. Blueberry berries and leaves give a good effect. 2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water and left for an hour. Take ½ glass before meals.

It should be remembered that after the first cases of the appearance of pathology, you will have to constantly monitor your sugar levels. Visits to the doctor and laboratory should be regular. This indicator is important for determining the stability and correctness of metabolic processes in the body. A significant increase or decrease in glucose levels leads to serious consequences for the patient.

Many people have heard about diabetes, but there are very few who take this disease seriously and know about its consequences.

Diabetes mellitus is a very insidious disease; almost always its symptoms are not attributed specifically to this disease, but people think that they are simply overtired, did not sleep enough, or were poisoned.

Thousands of people do not even suspect that they have this disease.

What does “critical level” of sugar mean?

An increase in blood glucose is the exclusive and main objective symptom of the initial stage of the disease. Medical studies have shown that half of people with diabetes learn about the pathology only when it begins to progress and becomes severe.

The level of sugar in the body must be constantly monitored by people suffering from this disease (measure and compare indicators).

A pancreatic hormone such as insulin coordinates the level of glucose in the body. In diabetes, either a small amount of insulin is produced or the cells do not respond to it appropriately. Increased and decreased amounts of glucose in the blood are equivalently harmful to the body.

But while a lack of glucose can be easily ruled out in many cases, a high level of carbohydrates is more serious. At the initial stage of the disease, symptoms can be eliminated with the help of a diet agreed with the doctor and properly selected physical activity.

The basic task of glucose in the body is to provide cells and tissues with energy for vital processes. The body constantly adjusts the accumulation of glucose, maintaining balance, but this does not always work out. - this is a condition when sugar in the body increases, and a decreased amount of glucose is called. Many people ask the question: “How much is normal sugar?”

Required blood sugar readings for healthy people:

But in diabetes, these values ​​can differ dramatically, both downward and upward. A critical level is considered to be a sugar level above 7.6 mmol/l and below 2.3 mmol/l, since at this point irreversible destructive mechanisms begin to start.

But these are only conditional values, since in people who have constantly high sugar levels, the value of the hypoglycemia mark increases. Initially, it can be 3.4-4 mmol/l, and after 15 years it can increase to 8-14 mmol/l. That is why each person has his own threshold of anxiety.

What indicator is considered lethal?

There is no value that can be confidently called fatal. In some diabetics, the sugar level rises to 15-17 mmol/l and this can lead to hyperglycemic coma, while others with a higher value feel excellent. The same applies to lowering blood sugar.

Everything is very individual and in order to determine the lethal and critical limits for a particular person, changes in glucose levels should be regularly monitored.

Reactive hypoglycemia is considered deadly as it develops in a matter of minutes (most often within 2-5 minutes). If emergency assistance is not provided immediately, the outcome is obviously disastrous.

Coma due to diabetes is the most dangerous and severe phenomenon that disables all vital processes.

Types of com:

Name	Origin	Symptoms	What to do
Hyperosmolar	Complications due to high sugar levels in severe dehydration	thirst weakness excess urine production significant dehydration lethargy hypersomnia slurred speech convulsions lack of some reflexes	dial 103, place the patient on his side or stomach, clear the airways, control your tongue so that it doesn’t sink, normalize blood pressure
Ketoacidotic	Complications due to the accumulation of harmful acids - ketones, which are formed during acute insulin deficiency	sharp colic nausea mouth smells like acetone loud, rare breathing passivity disorder of consciousness	urgently contact a medical facility, control breathing, check pulse, heart rhythm, check the pressure, if necessary, perform indirect cardiac massage and artificial respiration
Lactic acidotic	A very serious consequence caused by diabetes, which immediately arises due to a number of diseases of the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, and chronic alcoholism	constant impotence colic in the peritoneum feeling of nausea bouts of vomiting rave blackout	contact a specialist immediately, control your breathing, check your heartbeat, check the pressure, if necessary, perform artificial respiration and chest compressions, administer intravenously glucose with insulin (40 ml glucose)
Hypoglycemic	A condition with a sudden drop in blood sugar levels due to fasting and poor nutrition or too much insulin	whole body hyperhidrosis significant general weakness an insurmountable hunger occurs tremor headaches dizziness confusion panic attacks	immediately take to the hospital, monitor whether the victim is conscious, if the person is conscious, give 2-3 tablets of glucose or 4 cubes of refined sugar or 2 syrup, honey or give sweet tea to drink

Dangerous glucose levels during hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a life-critical condition that is a sharp or gradual drop in blood sugar. People taking insulin are at much greater risk of developing hypoglycemic coma than others. This is because externally acquired insulin directly affects blood sugar in a way that oral hypoglycemic agents, foods, or herbs do not.

Hypoglycemic coma deals the main blow to the brain. Brain tissue is an incredibly complex mechanism, because it is thanks to the brain that a person thinks and makes conscious reactions, and also controls the entire body on a subconscious level.

On the eve of a coma (usually when the sugar level is less than 3 mmol), a person plunges into an unclear state, which is why he loses control over his actions and clear thoughts. He then loses consciousness and falls into a coma.

The duration of stay in this state determines how serious the disorders will be in the future (whether only functional changes will occur or more serious irreparable disorders will develop).

There is no exact critical lower limit, but signs of the disease should be treated promptly and not neglected. It is better to intercept them at an early stage to protect yourself from serious consequences.

Stages of hypoglycemia:

1. Phase zero – a relaxed feeling of hunger appears. You should immediately record and confirm the drop in sugar with a glucometer.
2. Phase one - a strong feeling of hunger arises, the skin becomes moist, constantly makes you sleepy, and increasing weakness occurs. The head begins to hurt, the heartbeat accelerates, a feeling of fear arises, and the skin becomes pale. Movements become chaotic, uncontrollable, trembling appears in the knees and hands.
3. Phase two – the condition becomes more complicated. Double vision occurs, the tongue becomes numb, and skin sweating increases. The person is hostile and behaves abnormally.
4. Phase three is the final phase. The patient cannot control his actions and switches off - comes. Immediate first aid is needed (a concentrated glucose solution or a drug in a dosage of 1 mg for an adult and 0.5 mg for a child is administered parenterally).

What to do if hyperglycemic coma begins?

Hyperglycemia is a condition when the glucose level in the blood plasma increases greatly. Most often, the disease develops due to improper or insufficient control of the disease in diabetics. Despite the fact that symptoms may not develop immediately, disruption of the functioning of internal organs occurs when blood sugar is above 7 mmol/l.

The first symptoms of the disease include the appearance of a feeling of thirst, dry mucous membranes and skin, and increased fatigue. Later, vision deteriorates, weight loss, nausea and irritability appear. In patients with diabetes, hyperglycemia leads to severe dehydration, which can lead to coma.

If the patient experiences symptoms of hyperglycemia, he needs to monitor his intake of insulin and oral medications. If there is no improvement, you should urgently consult a doctor.

In a medical facility, insulin is administered intravenously with constant monitoring of blood glucose levels (every hour it should decrease by 3-4 mmol/l).

Next, the volume of circulating blood is restored - in the first hours, 1 to 2 liters of liquid are administered, in the next 2-3 hours, 500 ml are administered, and then 250 ml. The result should be 4-5 liters of liquid.

For this purpose, liquids containing potassium and other elements and nutrients are introduced to help restore the normal osmotic state.

Video from an expert:

Prevention of hypo- and hyperglycemia

To prevent severe diabetes conditions, the following should be observed:

1. First of all, notify all relatives and colleagues about your problem so that in case of a critical situation they can provide proper assistance.
2. Monitor your blood sugar regularly.
3. Always have foods with you that contain easily digestible carbohydrates - sugar, honey, fruit juice. Pharmacy glucose tablets are perfect. All this will be needed if hypoglycemia suddenly begins.
4. Follow your diet. Give preference to fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
5. Adjust physical activity.
6. Watch your weight. It should be normal - this will improve the body's ability to use insulin.
7. Observe the work and rest schedule.
8. Monitor your blood pressure.
9. Give up alcohol and cigarettes.
10. Control stress. It has an extremely negative effect on the body as a whole, and also steadily causes the numbers on the glucometer to increase.
11. Reduce salt intake - this will normalize blood pressure and reduce the load on the kidneys.
12. Minimize trauma, since with diabetes, wounds heal slowly and the risk of getting an infection increases.
13. Regularly carry out prophylaxis with vitamin complexes. If you have diabetes, you should choose complexes that do not contain sugar or sugar-substituting components.
14. Visit your doctor at least 3 times a year. If you take insulin, then at least 4 times a year.
15. Be completely examined at least once a year.

Diabetes is not a death sentence; you can learn to live a quality life with it. It is worth paying more attention and care to your body, and it will answer you in kind.

Hyperglycemia is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood plasma exceeds the normal value. To avoid health problems, you need to know why high blood sugar is dangerous.

Modern man is accustomed to eating a lot of foods rich in sugar every day, much more than the body actually needs.

Constantly exceeding the permissible level is dangerous by disrupting the normal functioning of organs, which can lead to serious diseases in the future, for example, stage I or II diabetes.

Metabolism of glucose in the body

To understand the causes of the disease, it is necessary to outline the processes occurring in the body. Glucose is formed from sugar consumed by humans. Carbohydrates are broken down into small molecules by digestive enzymes. Finally, glucose is formed in the intestines, which is distributed throughout the body through the bloodstream.

Its importance is difficult to overestimate - it is “blood sugar” that provides energy for the normal functioning of cells, tissues and organs. After each meal, there is an increase in blood sugar. But this condition is always short-lived and returns to normal very quickly.

However, another situation is also possible. If such jumps in sugar levels are observed frequently and continue for a long time, pathological changes will inevitably begin to occur in the body.

To break down glucose, the hormone insulin is needed, which is produced in the pancreas. The higher the blood sugar level, the more insulin is needed, the greater the load on the pancreas. As a result, it becomes damaged and cannot produce insulin in sufficient quantities and of the required quality. Because of this, type I diabetes develops.

The mechanism of development of the most common type of diabetes (type II) is different.

In this case, the pancreas secretes insulin in sufficient quantities, but for various reasons the sensitivity of beta cells to it is much lower.

Causes of increased sugar levels

Sugar level

Research has established a whole range of causes for the development of hyperglycemia.

There are only two most obvious causes of hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels): dysfunction of the pancreas and poor lifestyle.

One of the most common risk factors for developing the disease is consuming large quantities of sweet carbonated water, fast food and so-called “simple” carbohydrates.

In addition, factors for the development of the disease are:

• Stress can cause your sugar levels to rise. The fact is that the action of stress hormones is opposite to the action of insulin, so its work is blocked;
• lack of vitamins;
• lack of physical activity;
• excess weight;
• sudden change in body weight;
• injection of insulin in an incorrectly calculated dosage;
• elderly age;
• hereditary predisposition;
• taking certain groups of hormonal medications.

But in some situations, high sugar levels can be considered normal. For example, immediately after eating, when glucose enters the blood. Hyperglycemia is often observed after exercise. Severe pain, burns, as well as some painful conditions (epilepsy, angina, myocardial infarction) can also slightly increase sugar levels. But usually this effect is short-lived.

As for children, high blood sugar is observed primarily in situations where the child is often overfed, especially with sweets. Hyperglycemia is often the result of infection, long-term medication use, and decreased immunity. In young children, sugar often increases with the start of complementary feeding, when grain dishes and dairy products are introduced into the diet.

It is worth saying that hyperglycemia is hereditary. Therefore, if there are people in the family who suffer from diabetes, then this disease can also manifest itself in children.

In this case, twins usually “together” suffer from manifestations of hyperglycemia.

Why is hyperglycemia dangerous?

Knowing the causes of hyperglycemia, it is easy to guess why blood sugar is harmful and why it is dangerous for human health. First of all, if hyperglycemia recurs frequently, there is a high risk that the disease will begin to progress.

First of all, the functioning of some organs, including the pancreas, may be affected. And this, in turn, increases the risk of developing diabetes.

A blood sugar level of 17 or 18 mmol/l or more is very dangerous. The higher the sugar level, the greater the likelihood of severe consequences. This indicator is already considered a significant complication. When glucose concentration increases to this level, serious conditions such as fainting, ketoacidosis, and cardiac dysfunction are possible.

With a significant increase in sugar, there is a risk of coma - a condition that is critically life-threatening.

The most common is ketoacytodic coma, in which the content of ketone bodies in the blood sharply increases. Due to a decrease in the level of the hormone insulin, glucose is not broken down, and accordingly, a sufficient amount of energy does not enter the cells. To compensate for the deficiency, proteins and fats begin to be processed, and their breakdown products have a harmful effect on the brain.

Hypersmolar coma is possible only if the sugar level reaches a critical limit - 50 mmol/l, which is quite rare. This condition is caused by rapid loss of fluid from the body. As a result, the blood thickens and the functioning of organs and the nervous system is disrupted.

Lactic acidemia coma occurs at even higher glucose levels and is therefore even less common than hypersmolar coma. It occurs due to a significant increase in the content of lactic acid in the blood and tissues. Since lactic acid is toxic, with a sharp increase in concentration, impaired consciousness, paresis or vascular dysfunction may develop.

Finally, an increased amount of sugar is harmful because it “helps” the development of cancer cells. Like healthy tissue, damaged tissue also needs energy. High sugar levels stimulate the production of IGF and insulin, which promote the absorption of glucose.

Therefore, pathologically altered tissues with a high sugar content develop faster and affect healthy ones faster.

Normal sugar level

Blood sugar level is one of the indicators of human health. In order to determine whether there are alarming symptoms, it is necessary to undergo a full examination, including tests. This is how they take it from a finger and from a vein. On the day of the procedure, you are prohibited from eating or drinking water. If possible, you should avoid physical activity and stress, as they can affect the final result.

Normal blood sugar levels are the same for both women and men, but vary slightly depending on where the blood was taken from:

1. From a finger - from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/liter.
2. From a vein - 4-6 mmol/liter.

A reading of 5.5 mmol/l indicates that sugar is normal and there is no need to worry. But if the indicator is higher - up to 6.5 mmol/l, impaired glucose tolerance develops. In this state of the body, diabetes does not yet develop, although there is already a direct threat to health. In this case, it is already necessary to take measures to prevent the development of the disease.

An indicator of 6.5 or more already indicates that diabetes mellitus has most likely already developed.

A slight increase in sugar levels during pregnancy is also considered normal. During this period, metabolism changes greatly to provide the child with the necessary nutrition and development. Therefore, 3.8-5.8 mmol/l is a completely normal indicator. An increase in glucose levels to 6.0 mmol/l already indicates that it is worth paying more attention to health.

Those who plan to undergo testing with children should check their sugar levels - this is excellent for parents too. For children, normal values ​​are lower than for adults. For example, a child less than one year old should have a sugar level no lower than 2.2 mmol/L and no higher than 4.4 mmol/L. In the future, this indicator will increase: from 1 year to 5 years, a figure of 3.3-5 mmol/l is considered normal.

Sugar is glucose that enters the body with food. The main suppliers of glucose in the blood are simple sugars and easily digestible carbohydrates. Breaking down into acids, glucose is converted into the energy necessary for every cell of the body for life and development. The complex process of glucose breakdown is determined by the hormone insulin, which the pancreas produces in strictly the right amount, depending on the volume of incoming food.

If there are disturbances in the control organ - the endocrine system - there is a failure in the production of insulin. Excess glucose accumulates in tissues, causing a systemic disease – diabetes mellitus.

Type I diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired insulin production; in type II diabetes mellitus, insulin is produced in full, but is unable to process glucose. As a rule, the first type of diabetes mellitus manifests itself at an early age with a hereditary tendency to the disease, the second type is acquired and is a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Symptoms

With diabetes, the level of sugar in the blood and urine is much higher than normal. In this case, the person experiences dry mouth, constant thirst and hunger. He develops persistent fatigue and constant drowsiness, even with enough time spent sleeping. The hair becomes thinner, breaks off at the ends, and hair loss is observed. Severe itching of the abdomen, perineum, palms and feet develops, which cannot be relieved with medications.

Characteristic rash in diabetes mellitus

A characteristic sign and symptoms of high blood sugar are slow-healing wounds and abrasions. As the disease worsens, small trophic ulcers form on the legs, which constantly become wet and are difficult to treat.

Absolutely opposite changes in weight are observed, with S.D. Type I – sharp weight loss, and type II diabetes – weight gain.

One of the complications is neuropathy - impaired skin sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities. Its first signs appear in the form of slight numbness of the arms and legs, “pins and needles”, later the reaction to heat and pain worsens. Severe night pain in the legs appears.

Vein thrombosis appears, the body suffers from a deficiency of oxygen and nutrients.

High blood sugar negatively affects vision; patients develop damage to the retina, hemorrhages and retinal detachment, which can lead to loss of vision. Such symptoms of high sugar are more common in type II diabetes.

For a pregnant woman, hyperglycemia is dangerous for the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases; the kidneys and urinary tract are especially often affected. There is a risk of developing heart pathologies.

The rapid development of diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman provokes a number of disorders in the fetus: heart defects, genitourinary diseases.

Retinal damage

Norm

Detection of sugar is carried out during a general blood test. For different categories of citizens there are different blood sugar standards.

• For relatively healthy men and women, blood glucose levels are considered to be 3.3 – 5.5 mmol/l
• For a newborn child, the norm is 2.7 - 5.5 mmol/l, then this figure increases and by the age of one year it is compared with the norm for an adult.
• A slight increase in sugar in a pregnant woman is possible up to 6.6 mmol/l

For people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and constantly elevated blood sugar, the norm is considered to be up to 8.0 mmol/l

The result of a study of capillary blood (from a finger) differs from venous blood. When analyzing blood from a vein, the sugar level ranges from 4.0 to 6.8 mmol/l and is considered acceptable. The amount of sugar increases sharply after eating after 1.5-2 hours. Therefore, blood sampling for sugar is carried out early in the morning on an empty stomach, even unsweetened tea is prohibited, and dinner the day before the test should be light and not rich. Alcohol consumption during the previous three days of blood donation significantly affects the test result.

Approximate blood sugar levels

Causes

The causes of high blood sugar are varied. Spontaneous hyperglycemia not associated with diseases is observed:

• If the principles of a balanced diet are violated, with an abundance of fatty, fried foods; milk fats; refractory animal fats; smoked meats; an abundance of baked goods and everything that loads the pancreas.
• Alcohol abuse also negatively affects the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
• Systematic overeating leads to wear and tear of the digestive system, which is constantly working “at the limit.”
• Long-term stress and depression.
• Pregnancy.
• P.M.S.
• Regular poor diet leads to the development of type 2 diabetes.

The reasons for the development of diabetes mellitus – a persistent increase in glucose, as a result of changes in insulin production:

• Pathologies in the hormonal regulation system (diseases of the pancreas and thyroid hormones, pathological changes in the adrenal cortex and others).
• Chronic liver diseases.
• Obesity is a systemic disease associated with metabolic disorders.
• Heredity is characteristic of type II diabetes.

What to do

When abnormalities are detected, a person, of course, asks the question: if blood sugar is elevated, what to do? First of all, undergo a thorough examination of the endocrine system, pass all the necessary tests, and check for concomitant diseases. Based on all the data, the endocrinologist makes a diagnosis and identifies the cause of the disease. If the diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed, this is not a reason to become depressed.

There are several main principles for the behavior of people with hyperglycemia, adherence to which can significantly improve the quality of life:

1. Nutrition and weight maintenance.
2. Physical exercise.
3. Self-monitoring of sugar levels using a glucometer.
4. Treatment with folk remedies.
5. Drug therapy.

Let's take a closer look at them.

Nutrition is the most important factor in the treatment of hyperglycemia:

Principle of nutrition for diabetes mellitus

• The daily dose of the diet must be divided into 5-6 times.
• You should eat food at the same time every day.
• Minimize the consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates: baked goods, semolina, sausages and boiled sausages, pastries.
• Completely eliminate sugar and fruits high in sucrose (grapes, bananas) from your diet.
• Avoid overeating.
• Limit the amount of fried, smoked, fatty foods.
• Reduce the amount of salt and spicy seasonings you consume.
• You can drink up to 2 liters of liquid, but be sure to monitor your diuresis.
• Weight gain causes increased stress on the pancreas.

With high sugar, the diet should consist mainly of: vegetables, leafy greens, fruits (except grapes), berries, legumes, cereals, dietary meat, fish, wholemeal bread, low-fat dairy products, vegetable oil.

Moderate physical activity can normalize sugar levels with a low increase. And regular exercise helps keep it within normal limits. In addition, they effectively fight excess weight.

If hyperglycemia is established, sugar should be checked at least twice a day. There are special devices for this – individual glucometers. The measurement process itself is extremely simple. The test strip is inserted into the machine and a drop of blood is taken. Once a month or more often, if necessary, you should take a blood test at the clinic, since home measurements have some error.

With high blood sugar, traditional medicine advises regularly consuming herbal infusions and decoctions, as well as products that lower blood glucose levels. These include: tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus.

Vegetables and juices that reduce sugar

To control sugar, drink freshly squeezed juices. Such as cherry, pomegranate, citrus, pumpkin, tomato, potato. They can be drunk separately or mixed to taste.

Leaf supplements are very useful: parsley, celery, spinach, garlic.

The following are suitable active additives that reduce the amount of glucose in the blood: omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil, honey, nuts.

Herbal teas are useful for high sugar levels, either separately prepared or as an additive to regular black tea: black currant, chokeberry, cranberry, rose hips, chamomile, St. John's wort, cornflower (flowers), mint.

All of the above recommendations apply equally to both types of diabetes. But with the insulin-dependent form, it is impossible to do without the use of medications. Patients are advised to administer insulin subcutaneously according to a specific schedule; such patients receive the medicine free of charge. For non-insulin-dependent diabetes, medications are prescribed only if there is no effect from the measures listed above.

If a high level of glucose is detected in the blood, this is a reason to pay closer attention to your health. Indeed, according to statistics, the vast majority of cases are acquired diabetes. And even with a favorable course of the disease, irreversible complications develop after 15-20 years, which means that the faster a person takes preventive measures, the less chance the disease has to attack him.

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Diabetes mellitus is a dangerous and specific disease that is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood. Usually, many patients treat their condition with disdain, believing that normal health is the main indicator of health. And only when constantly elevated glucose levels lead to complications do people think about treatment. The most dangerous consequences of a high sugar limit can be a coma or the development of malignant tumors.

Cancer cells, like other cells, need energy for their growth, and since they feel a lack of nutrients and oxygen, glucose becomes their main source of energy. Otto Warburg, a biologist from Germany, was able to prove the role of sugar in the metabolism of cancer cells. High glucose limits cause the body to increase the production of insulin and IGF, which not only help cells absorb sugar and stimulate the growth of both healthy and cancer cells, but also promote the penetration of the latter into healthy connective tissues. Having proved the connection between sugar and cancer, it was possible to explain the statistics of various forms of cancer in diabetics, and the addiction of cancer patients to sweets during the course of the disease.

Along with cancer, the development of coma with elevated glucose levels is very dangerous. A rise in sugar to a level of 55 mmol/l and above can cause one of three types of coma characteristic of this high dose, which can be fatal for the patient.

Most often, ketoacidotic coma develops, associated with an increase in the blood of the breakdown products of amino acids and fats - ketone bodies. High levels of glucose in the absence of insulin do not supply energy to the cells, and it begins to be taken from reserve sources - proteins and fats. The intense breakdown of these elements leads to the accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood, which in turn have a toxic effect on the brain.

Less common is hyperosmolar coma, the development of which is observed when glucose reaches a dangerous limit - 50 mmol/l. The cause of this condition is intense loss of fluid, leading to thickening of the blood and disruption of the functioning of the central nervous system and internal organs. Hyperosmolar coma often develops against the background of an infectious disease concomitant with diabetes.

Most rarely in diabetics, when sugar rises to a dangerously high level, lactic acidemic coma occurs, the development of which will be caused by an increased content of lactic acid in the tissues and blood, which is considered a strong cytotoxic poison that can cause vascular paresis and dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, including collapse and disturbances of consciousness.

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Normalization of blood sugar

So, what to do if blood sugar has increased to levels of more than 15 and 20 units? In addition to seeking medical help, you must immediately review your diet for diabetes. Most likely, your blood sugar jumps so sharply due to poor nutrition. This includes doing everything to lower glucose levels in the body if the levels reach a critical level.

It is possible to lower blood sugar from 15 and 20 units to a normal level only with the help of a low-carbohydrate diet. If a diabetic experiences sugar spikes, no other balanced diet can help.

Indicators of 20 units or more primarily indicate the danger that threatens the patient if strict treatment is not started. After the examination and receipt of test results, the doctor prescribes medications and dietary nutrition, which will reduce blood sugar to a level of 5.3-6.0 mmol/liter, which is the norm for a healthy person, including diabetics.

A low-carbohydrate diet will improve the patient's condition with diabetes of any type, regardless of what complications the patient has.

Normalization of the condition is observed already on the second or third day after changing the diet.

This in turn reduces blood sugar from 15 and 20 units to a lower level and avoids the development of secondary diseases that usually accompany diabetes.

To diversify your diet, you should use special recipes for preparing dishes that not only lower blood sugar, but also improve a person’s condition with diabetes.

Causes of high blood sugar levels

Blood sugar can increase due to pregnancy, severe stress or psychological experiences, and all sorts of secondary diseases. On the plus side, if your glucose level rises to 15 or 20 units, this is a signal for increased attention to health. Typically, blood sugar increases if the patient has problems processing carbohydrates.

Thus, the main reasons for an increase in blood glucose to 20 or more units are identified:

• Poor nutrition. After eating, blood sugar levels are always elevated, since at this moment food is actively processed.
• Lack of physical activity. Any physical exercise has a beneficial effect on blood sugar.
• Increased emotionality. During a stressful situation or strong emotional experiences, sugar spikes may occur.
• Bad habits. Alcohol and smoking negatively affect the general condition of the body and glucose levels.
• Hormonal changes. During premenstrual syndrome and menopause, women may noticeably increase blood glucose levels.

The causes may include all sorts of health problems, which are divided depending on which organ is affected.

1. Endocrine diseases due to disruption of hormone production can cause diabetes, pheochromocytoma, thyrotoxicosis, and Cushing's disease. In this case, the sugar level rises if the amount of the hormone increases.
2. Diseases of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis and other types of tumors, reduce insulin production, which leads to metabolic disorders.
3. Taking certain medications can also cause an increase in blood glucose. Such drugs include hormonal agents, diuretics, contraceptives and steroid drugs.
4. Disease of the liver, where glucose reserves are stored in the form of glycogen, due to disruption of the functioning of the internal organ causes an increase in blood sugar. Such diseases include cirrhosis, hepatitis, tumors.

All the patient needs to do if sugar increases to 20 units or higher is to eliminate the causes of the disorder in the person’s condition.

Of course, a single case of an increase in glucose levels to 15 or 20 units in healthy people does not confirm the presence of diabetes mellitus, but in this case everything must be done to prevent the situation from worsening.

First of all, you should reconsider your diet and do regular exercise. At the same time, you need to measure your blood sugar every day using a glucometer to avoid a recurrence of the situation.

Measuring blood glucose levels

Blood sugar levels are usually measured on an empty stomach. A blood test can be performed either in a clinic in a laboratory setting or at home using a glucometer. It is important to know that home devices are most often configured to determine the level of glucose in plasma, but in the blood the indicator will be 12 percent lower.

The test needs to be done several times if a previous study showed a blood sugar level above 20 units, and the patient has not been diagnosed with diabetes. This will allow timely prevention of the development of the disease and elimination of all causes of the disorder.

If a patient has elevated blood glucose levels, the doctor may order a test for impaired glucose tolerance, which will help determine the form of prediabetes. Typically, such an analysis is prescribed to exclude the development of diabetes in the patient and to identify impaired absorption of sugar.

Not everyone is prescribed a glucose tolerance test, but people over 40 years of age, overweight patients and those who are at risk for diabetes mellitus undergo it.

To do this, the patient takes a blood sugar test on an empty stomach, after which he is asked to drink a glass of diluted glucose. Two hours later, a blood test is taken again.

For the reliability of the results obtained, the following conditions must be met:

• The period from the last meal to the test must pass at least ten hours.
• Before donating blood, you should not engage in active physical labor and you must avoid all heavy stress on the body.
• You cannot change your diet suddenly on the eve of the test.
• You need to try to avoid stress and anxiety.
• Before coming for analysis, it is recommended to have a good rest and sleep.
• After the glucose solution is drunk, you should not walk, smoke or eat.

Impaired glucose tolerance is diagnosed if the analysis showed data on an empty stomach of about 7 mmol/liter and after drinking glucose 7.8-11.1 mmol/liter. If the numbers are much lower, there is no need to worry.

To identify the cause of a one-time sharp increase in blood sugar, you need to undergo an ultrasound of the pancreas and blood tests for enzymes. If you follow doctors' recommendations and follow a therapeutic diet, your glucose levels will soon stabilize.

In addition to changes in blood glucose levels, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

1. Frequent urination;
2. Feeling of dry mouth and constant thirst;
3. Sudden fatigue, weak and lethargic state;
4. Increased or, conversely, decreased appetite, while weight is suddenly lost or gained;
5. The immune system weakens, and the patient’s wounds do not heal well;
6. The patient experiences frequent headaches;
7. Vision gradually decreases;
8. Itching is observed on the skin.

Such symptoms indicate an increase in blood sugar and the need to take urgent measures.

Dietary food for high glucose

To regulate blood sugar levels, there is a special therapeutic diet, which is aimed at reducing the consumption of foods rich in fast carbohydrates. If the patient has increased body weight, the doctor prescribes a low-calorie diet. In this case, it is necessary to supplement the diet with foods that contain vitamins and nutrients.

The daily menu should include foods containing the right amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. When choosing dishes, you must first of all focus on the glycemic index table, which every diabetic should have. You can only get rid of the symptoms of diabetes with a healthy diet.

If your sugar levels are high, you need to adjust your meal frequency. It is recommended to eat often, but in small portions. There should be three main meals and three snacks per day. However, you need to eat only healthy foods, excluding chips, crackers and sparkling water, which are harmful to health.

The main diet should include vegetables, fruits and protein foods. It is also important to monitor your water balance. If the glucose level remains high, you must completely avoid eating sweet confectionery dishes, smoked and fatty foods, and alcoholic beverages. It is also recommended to exclude grapes, raisins and figs from the diet.

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How to eliminate signs of high blood sugar?

The presence of signs of increased blood sugar requires timely examination, determination of the cause and the prescription of high-quality treatment, otherwise the patient’s body may develop irreversible changes in tissues and organs - vascular diseases, neuropathy, sluggish infectious processes, skin diseases, sleep disorders and depressive states.

Therefore, if one or more specific symptoms appear, you should consult a general practitioner, and then an endocrinologist.

This visit will help determine what causes the increase in blood sugar, whether drug therapy, herbal preparations are necessary, or whether it is enough to change your diet and lifestyle. In most cases, the correct approach to nutrition, the elimination of stressful situations and uniform physical activity make it possible to reduce blood sugar to normal levels.

High sugar in diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is manifested by the main clinical symptoms:

dry mouth and thirst (polydipsia);

frequent, excessive urination (polyuria), sometimes exceeding three liters of urine per day;

increased appetite (polyphagia) with progressive weight loss.

Diabetes mellitus or diabetes mellitus is characterized by a long-term persistent increase in blood sugar, and when certain levels are exceeded, glucose appears in the urine.

This disease also manifests itself with additional symptoms - increased fatigue, drowsiness, decreased performance, persistent headaches, irritability, various types of sleep disorders, dizziness, itchy skin, bright red cheeks, night pain in the limbs and cramps of the calf muscles. Numbness of the extremities, paresthesia, attacks, nausea, less often vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, and an increased tendency to inflammatory diseases of the skin, mouth, urinary tract, and kidneys, which often transform into a chronic form, may be observed.

Diabetes mellitus in pregnant women

Hormonal changes occur in a woman's body during pregnancy and this leads to the development of physiological immunity of many tissues to the action of insulin and the development of diabetes mellitus in pregnant women.

This pathological condition is classified as a separate form of diabetes mellitus - gestational diabetes, which is first diagnosed by laboratory parameters during pregnancy and, as a rule, occurs without clinical manifestations.

Therefore, it is especially important to prescribe and monitor blood sugar levels in pregnant women. It is important to remember that with the development of this pathology in the early stages of pregnancy, there may be a danger of the formation of multiple malformations in the fetus (diabetic fetopathy), often incompatible with life, which lead to early miscarriages. With late onset of diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman and/or in the absence of normalization of elevated blood glucose levels, organic damage to the fetal organs may develop - congenital cataracts, heart defects, cerebral palsy.

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Patient groups

Doctors divide patients into three groups.

1. The first is panicky people who, even at the slightest unpleasant information, give up on themselves. They don’t want to hear anything or accept the disease. As a result, blood sugar levels rise to a critical level. As a result, urgent medical attention is needed and complications arise.
2. The second is people who completely ignore the problem of diabetes. They are prone to a practice called “putting their head in the sand.” As a result, complications arise that can lead to death. Blood sugar levels rise. To prevent this from happening, you need to consult your doctor.
3. The third is the smallest number of them. These are people who are able to soberly assess the situation and do everything necessary to get rid of diabetes. Such patients will never have elevated blood sugar levels. They are able to follow the doctor’s recommendations and attend all prescribed procedures.

In this article we will talk about the first two groups, or rather, for them. The former believe that diabetes is not a death sentence, while the latter are confident that if there is no action, serious problems will arise. Many experts are confident that if a person has elevated blood sugar levels, this is not a tragedy. As a rule, people over 30 years old suffer from the problem.

The fact is that the environment, poor lifestyle and stress lead to the development of the disease. Currently, there are a large number of drugs that can relieve a patient from the symptoms of diabetes. You just need to take everything correctly and visit your doctor regularly. Without this, it is impossible to get a positive result; your blood sugar level will not drop.

How dangerous is the disease?

During the examination, a large number of complications can be identified. They all differ into two main groups:

• spicy;
• chronic

The first is due to the fact that blood sugar levels fluctuate within a certain limit. It is impossible to accurately determine its meaning. Acute complications include hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis.

The second group is caused by increased blood sugar. In this case, the person develops the following problems:

• damage to the eyeball;
• damage to the renal area;
• the occurrence of lameness;
• the brain slowly dies;
• nerve endings are affected;
• internal organs are affected;
• bones and joints are affected.

To all this it should be added that chronic hyperglycemia is the main factor in the occurrence of cardiac ischemia, heart attack, and so on. This happens due to the destruction of the coronary vessels, which play an important role.

It will be good if the blood sugar level can be kept at a compensated limit. That is, close to a healthy person. In this situation, getting rid of diabetes will not be difficult. This requires a competent course of treatment and nothing more. The compensation criterion depends solely on the patient’s age and the presence or absence of diseases.

Why does a complication occur?

There are currently three main reasons.

First reason

A person's blood sugar levels constantly rise. That is, throughout the day, a sharp change in level is possible within the range of 8–13 mmol/l. Under this regime, the body can last no more than a few months. For this purpose, internal resources are used, including compensated mechanisms.

As a result, sugaring of blood vessels may occur. Of course, if at the age of 30 you can identify this process at an early stage, then it’s okay. In this situation, it is possible to correct everything and normalize blood glucose levels.

To do this, it is necessary to conduct an additional examination by a specialist. It is no coincidence that there are a large number of courses on identifying diseases.

The second reason

Glucose levels jump sharply. This makes it impossible to accurately determine the correct value. There are different indicators in the morning, afternoon and evening. It is worth noting that the difference of 3 mmol/l is not critical, this is an acceptable value. In addition, experts highlight the rate of change in glucose levels. Ideally, it should be no more than 4 mmol/l per hour. If the patient has a different value, then treatment is necessary.

Third reason

Vulnerable organ. This factor is rare, but very important. Sometimes it happens that a person is completely healthy, nothing worries him, but there is an organ that is vulnerable to diabetes. In fact, this is a weak link that leads to complications. An interesting fact is known. 20 percent of people do not develop complications, 5 percent experience complications even with short-term exposure to sugars, and the rest have moderate resistance.

Modern medicine can only affect the first two reasons. The most dangerous is constantly elevated sugar levels. A person cannot live in peace; he can eat whatever he wants. It is necessary to follow a diet and visit a doctor to bring down the high level. This is especially true for people aged 30 years and older.

Disease prevention

The first thing you need to do is follow the right diet, without which it is impossible to get rid of diabetes and live a full life. If the glucose level is high, then you should remove flour products and potatoes. These products have a negative effect on the patient. Also get rid of sugar and substitutes. If this is not done, the body will receive a serious load on the pancreas. In this case, the energy will go away quickly.

Experts recommend consuming slow carbohydrates in the form of legumes and vegetables. If a person is overweight, then eating after 18:00 is prohibited. The ideal option is a diet without meat, dairy and flour. In this situation, the load on the stomach will be minimal. If the patient is already at risk, the following products should be consumed:

• fresh herbs;
• tomato;
• walnuts;
• bell peppers;
• beans;
• beans;
• citrus fruit.

If a person sticks to this kind of diet, then there will be no problems. A high level at 30 years old will not bother you.

Physical activity

The patient's activity deserves special attention. It is recommended to exercise in the form of cardio exercise every day. During this process, excess fat is burned and muscles become stronger. The positive thing is that glucose does not stagnate in the blood vessels. That is, it proceeds without any problems even with excess quantities. 10-20 minutes a day is enough to maintain the body’s condition. Good ways include:

• walking up the stairs;
• a walk in the park with friends;
• playing with children;
• use public transport instead of personal transport.

Stress

Experts recommend avoiding stressful situations. That is, do not contact with negative individuals. If this is impossible to do, then try to control yourself and not break down. You can seek the help of a psychologist to get advice. After all, if a person loses control, his glucose level will jump sharply.

You should also not use tobacco. There is a myth that smoking relaxes. But this is a mistaken opinion. The fact is that while smoking the body's cells are tense. Incoming nicotine only aggravates a person’s condition.

Constantly look after yourself

This implication implies regular visits to your doctor and preventative care. Many people perceive the hospital as an additional place of rest. If the risk of diabetes is high, then it is advisable to switch to a plant-based diet and stick to it for several months.

Drug treatment can lead to unpleasant consequences. The fact is that there are quite strong drugs that are based on hormonal substances. Of course, a person will quickly get rid of the symptoms of diabetes, but the pancreas will receive a colossal blow.

Sugar standards

It is worth noting that the norm has been known for quite a long time, back in the early 20th century. A lot of research has been done to reach this conclusion.

The table shows that glucose levels are different for a sick and healthy person. In addition, it depends on food intake. It is recommended to carry out the examination on an empty stomach to obtain an accurate result.

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Why does hyperglycemia develop?

The reasons for increased sugar levels in men and women are no different. Most of them are associated with endocrine system disorders. Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of high blood sugar. A person's glucose level fluctuates either due to insufficiency of insulin or because it cannot perform its function.

About 5 percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes, which develops due to insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas. In other patients, insulin is produced in sufficient quantities, but is not used “as intended” and does not transport glucose into the cells, which is why they constantly lack energy.

However, high blood sugar also develops for other reasons. Here are the most common ones:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
• Pancreas cancer.
• Overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism.
• Increased cortisol levels in the blood.
• Pituitary tumors.
• Constant stressful situations.
• Serious injuries can sometimes cause high blood glucose levels.
• Use of certain medications (for example, Prednisolone and its analogues, estrogen preparations, beta blockers, etc.).
• Use of certain oral contraceptives by women.

Symptoms of high sugar

Everyone needs to monitor their health and respond in a timely manner to symptoms of trouble. Here are the typical signs of high blood sugar:

• thirst;
• feeling of dry mouth;
• severe skin itching;
• frequent urination;
• increase in the amount of daily urine;
• the appearance of frequent night urination;
• weight loss despite normal appetite;
• the appearance of headaches and dizziness;
• decreased visual acuity;
• problems with wound healing;
• the appearance of the smell of acetone in the exhaled air;
• menstrual cycle disorders in women;
• problems with potency in men;
• tendency to infectious diseases.

Such symptoms of high blood sugar require laboratory blood testing. Having a home glucose meter makes glucose monitoring easier and helps in early detection of diabetes.

Acute hyperglycemia, when glucose levels jump to high levels, is characterized by pronounced symptoms. At the same time, chronic hyperglycemia occurs against the background of decompensation of diabetes, when the body adapts to high glucose levels. Elevated sugar levels negatively affect the functioning of the entire body.

Thus, the reasons for thirst lie in the fact that the glucose molecule “attracts” water molecules to itself and is excreted in the urine. Due to the fact that there is a lot of it, fluid is removed from the body. To compensate for this, the person drinks a lot of water. However, the body cannot retain fluid, since high glucose causes the kidneys to begin secreting urine intensively.

The causes of weight loss are associated with type 1 diabetes. In this case, glucose cannot enter the cell due to insulin deficiency, and thus it is in a state of energy deficiency. A paradoxical situation arises: there is a lot of glucose in the blood, but the cells cannot process it and extract energy from it.

Due to starvation of brain cells, a person feels a headache. Since the body is deprived of its usual source of energy, it adapts to burning fat. Fat oxidation leads to an increase in the content of ketone bodies in the blood. This is where the smell of acetone comes from in your exhaled air.

Energy starvation also leads to poor wound healing. Men and women have a tendency to purulent processes. Leukocytes cannot destroy pathogenic microorganisms, and inflammatory processes intensively develop in a person.

The combination of frequent urination and prostate diseases in men leads to urinary retention, which aggravates kidney conditions. In addition, men and women, due to a lack of energy in their cells, often have imbalances in hormone levels, which negatively affects their health.

Consequences of hyperglycemia

Elevated blood sugar is dangerous for the body due to its complications. The consequences of hyperglycemia may be irreversible.

One of the dangerous complications of high sugar is hyperglycemic coma. The risk of its occurrence increases if blood sugar exceeds 11.5 mmol per liter. Due to a lack of energy, the cells begin to process fats and proteins. The resulting toxic substances poison the body, causing dangerous symptoms.

Hyperglycemia begins with a so-called precoma state. Its characteristic symptoms are:

• dry mouth, thirst;
• increased urination;
• itching, especially in the genital area in men and women;
• headache.

Against the background of an increase in ketones in the body, nausea and vomiting occur (it does not bring relief). Consciousness becomes darkened and eventually lost. In addition, other symptoms are observed:

• dry skin;
• it becomes cold to the touch;
• noisy breathing;
• pungent odor of acetone in exhaled air.

If the disease is not treated, death may occur from irreversible changes.

Diagnosis and treatment

In order to detect hyperglycemia, several diagnostic methods are used.

1. Blood sugar test. It must correspond to physiological indicators. A prerequisite is to do it on an empty stomach. An increase in sugar levels above 5.5 mmol per liter indicates prediabetes. Exceeding the figure of 7.8 mmol indicates the development of diabetes.
2. The glucose tolerance test shows the sugar level after a glucose load - 75 g dissolved in 200-250 ml of water. It indicates how well the body copes with carbohydrates and is able to quickly absorb them.
3. The glycated hemoglobin test shows the level of sugar bound to red blood cells. This is the most accurate test for diabetes.

High blood sugar requires effective treatment. This may reduce mortality from diabetes. The first step in treating high glucose is to eat the right diet. The patient needs to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in the menu.

For type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to take glucose-lowering medications, and for the insulin-dependent type of the disease, insulin.

The therapeutic diet involves a strict ban on sweets. Alcohol is allowed in small quantities and subject to glucose control. The menu should include meat, fish dishes, and vegetables.

So, high blood sugar has dangerous consequences, and a person should take all measures to normalize its levels.

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Why does blood sugar rise?

A physiological increase in blood glucose levels occurs due to the following reasons:

• taking easily digestible carbohydrate foods;
• intense physical and mental stress;
• long-term use of glucocorticoids, thiazide diuretics; some psychotropic and estrogen-containing drugs.

Sugar levels may increase briefly in pathological conditions such as:

• burn, severe pain;
• epileptic seizure;
• severe attack of angina;
• acute myocardial infarction.

Increased blood sugar in some clinical cases is explained by decreased glucose tolerance. This is possible under the following conditions:

• rapid (above normal) absorption of glucose into the blood from the intestine (occurs after operations on the stomach and duodenum);
• impaired ability of tissues to utilize glucose (occurs after damage to the hypothalamus due to traumatic brain injury);
• decrease in the amount of glycogen formed from glucose (after severe pathological liver damage).

Other causes of high blood sugar are various types of diabetes. High glucose levels persist for a long time. The result is glucosuria (excretion of sugar in the urine). This symptom indicates diabetes mellitus.

There are primary and secondary diabetes mellitus. Primary has internal causes of development. Secondary is associated with diseases that lead to impaired carbohydrate metabolism:

• pancreas cancer; its removal;
• organ damage as a result of cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis;
• hormonally active tumor;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• gigantism or acromegaly;
• adrenal tumor;
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome (excessive secretion of the adrenal cortex) and others.

Diabetes mellitus in pregnant women is separately distinguished. He belongs to neither the first nor the second type.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

The main signs of high blood sugar:

1) Constant thirst.

Glucose attracts water. When glucose levels rise, fluid is removed from the body. Organs, tissues and systems experience thirst. They send a signal to the brain. A person is always thirsty.

2) Frequent urination and increased volume of urine, night urination.

Glucose attracts water. The more glucose in the blood becomes, the more water it will attract. The kidneys are forced to filter increased amounts of fluid and remove it from the body. Diuresis increases.

3) Arterial hypertension.

Glucose circulating in the blood binds water molecules. If the performance of the kidneys is reduced, their functions are impaired, and excess fluid cannot be eliminated from the body. There is an increase in pressure.

4) Dry mouth.

The same mechanisms underlie such a symptom as dry mouth. Glucose attracted water - the tissues signaled to the brain - the central regulatory mechanism demanded a new portion of water - thirst and dry mouth appeared.

5) Weight loss.

A symptom characteristic of type 1 diabetes. When there is an absolute lack of insulin production, glucose is unable to penetrate into the cell. The latter always experience energy hunger. Due to insufficient energy supply to the body, a decrease in body weight occurs.

6) Headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, general weakness.

These symptoms are the result of “starvation” of the brain. The main source of energy of the central nervous system is glucose. In conditions of insulin deficiency, the brain does not receive enough glucose. He has to look for backup energy sources. One of them is fat oxidation. It is less beneficial for the brain and more energy-consuming.

7) Smell of acetone from the mouth.

Oxidation of lipids (fats) due to a lack of glucose as an energy source leads to an increase in the level of ketone bodies in the blood. Hence the acetone smell.

8) Poor wound healing, frequent infectious diseases.

Hyperglycemia is associated with energy starvation of tissue cells. Therefore, their ability to heal is reduced. And under conditions of high glucose levels, the wound becomes a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms. Purulent processes may begin.

For the full functioning of leukocytes, glucose is also needed. They miss her. Therefore, protective blood cells cannot destroy pathogenic microorganisms. Hence frequent infections.

Based on the characteristic symptoms, an increase in blood sugar can be suspected. Hyperglycemia should be confirmed by laboratory tests and treated.

Acute complications of high blood sugar

Acute complications occur when blood sugar levels are critically high. They are characteristic of type 1 diabetes mellitus. An acute complication of critical sugar levels is the development of a coma, characterized by damage to the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations:

• progressive disorder of nervous activity;
• extinction of elementary reflexes.

Severe metabolic disorders with high blood sugar can cause dehydration and lactic acid coma.

Risk factors for the development of acute complications:

• acute infectious diseases;
• stressful situations (painful shocks, injuries, operations, burns, etc.);
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• violation of the diet and treatment regimen for diabetes mellitus (skipping insulin doses, drinking alcohol);
• some medications (estrogens, diuretics, for example).

Comatose states are characterized by a high degree of mortality. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help in time. Alarm bells are warning signs of coma with high blood sugar concentrations:

• increased amount of urine (up to three to four liters per day);
• dry mouth and severe thirst;
• headache, fatigue and general weakness.

If measures are not taken, neurological symptoms will subsequently appear:

• slow reaction;
• dullness of consciousness;
• deep sleep-hibernation.

After them, as a rule, coma occurs.

Late complications of high blood sugar

They can appear when there is a long-term high concentration of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia disrupts the functioning of all organs of the human body. Common and dangerous complications of this condition:

• diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina that can lead to permanent blindness);
• diabetic foot syndrome (vessels and peripheral nervous system are affected, ultimately developing gangrene);
• diabetic nephropathy (irreversible destruction of the kidney filter - the cause of chronic renal failure).

Reduced blood sugar

To prevent the development of diabetes mellitus, and if you already have a diagnosis, possible complications, you need to normalize your glucose level. How to reduce blood sugar?

1) With type 1 diabetes, the patient will have to take insulin for the rest of his life. To treat type 2 diabetes, drugs have been developed that stimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas and restore the ability of cells to absorb their own insulin. Most often, Predian, Maninil, Bukarban, etc. are prescribed for this purpose.

2) It is impossible to normalize blood sugar levels without diet. Sugar and any of its derivatives are completely excluded. You need to give up confectionery, alcoholic drinks, sweet fruits (dates, melons, grapes, etc.). Meals are fractional.

3) Traditional medicine recipes help to cope with high sugar:

• A decoction of dandelion roots and herbs is taken three times a day, fifteen milliliters. The course is three weeks. A week is a break. Repeat course.
• Dissolve a teaspoon of peony tincture in half a glass of water. Take three times a day. The course is three weeks. Then - a week's break. Repeat course.
• Every morning on an empty stomach, drink a glass of kefir with a teaspoon of cinnamon. Drink the same drink before bed. The course is two weeks.
• Drink half a glass of fresh potato juice twice a day.
• Three to four times a day, take two tablespoons of fresh blueberry juice diluted in water (1:1).
• Brew the beans (forty grams of crushed raw materials per liter of water). Take a tablespoon four times a day.
• Drink a decoction of lilac buds (a tablespoon of buds per liter of water) three times a day.

4) Competent physical activity helps normalize sugar. Walking in the fresh air, squats, body turns, etc. Excessive load may cause damage. Therefore, discuss the set of exercises with your doctor.

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The level of sugar (glucose) in the blood plasma is a key concept for patients with type I and type II diabetes. Elevated glucose levels are often the only and main symptom of the debut stage of the disease. According to medicine, 50% of diabetic patients only learn about the pathology when it reaches progressive and severe stages.

Let's try to figure out why a stable level of carbohydrates in the circulatory system is so important for a person's normal well-being, and for what reasons a glucose imbalance occurs in the body. We will also find out what sugar levels are normal, and how changes in the norm affect the body.

Sugar levels and diabetes

“Blood sugar” is a common term that refers to the average amount of glucose dissolved in the plasma circulating through the blood vessels.

In fact, a chronically increased amount of glucose is the main manifestation of diabetes - pathology. The disease, of course, has more complex development mechanisms and multifaceted symptoms, but the main indicator is “high sugar”.

1. Monitoring carbohydrate levels is one of the main components of therapy for patients with diabetes.
2. The second component is (if it is indicated by doctors). – a hormone that regulates sugar levels. In diabetes, the body either does not have enough insulin or the cells do not respond to it properly.

Both high and low plasma sugar levels are equally undesirable for the body, but while glucose deficiency can be easily corrected in many cases, high carbohydrate levels are more dangerous.

Sometimes regular medication is required to correct hyperglycemia: people with advanced diabetes take constant intramuscular injections of insulin: this eliminates the carbohydrate surplus. At the initial stage, it can be eliminated with the help and correction of physical activity.

Metabolism of carbohydrates in the body

The main task of glucose in the body is to supply cells and tissues with energy for vital physiological processes.

It is believed that nerve cells need pure glucose the most, but in fact, not a single system of the body can do without carbohydrates.

Let us list the most important components of the process of sugar metabolism in the human body:

• Glucose enters the bloodstream from the intestines and (there is a polysaccharide reserve in the liver, which is used as needed);
• The circulatory system carries glucose throughout the body - thus, cells and tissues are supplied with energy;
• For the absorption of glucose from the blood, the presence of insulin, which is produced by β-cells, is necessary;
• After eating, sugar levels rise in all people - but in healthy people this increase is insignificant and does not last long.

The body constantly regulates the concentration of glucose in the blood, maintaining homeostasis (equilibrium). If it is not possible to achieve balance, and such disruptions occur regularly, endocrinologists talk about the presence of diabetes - a serious pathology of metabolic processes.

Why is it important to know your sugar level?

To find out your level, one is not enough. It is necessary to carry out several tests on different days and at different times of the day, as well as on an empty stomach and after meals. If tests constantly show that “sugar is high,” there is every reason to suspect diabetes.

In Russia, blood glucose is measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). In Europe and the USA, measurements are made in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dc). It is not difficult to convert one indicator to another: 1 mmol/l is 18 mg/dl.

Sugar standards have long been known - 3.9-5 mmol/l

After eating for an hour, these figures are slightly higher (5.1-5.3). In healthy people, the glucose content fluctuates within these limits, but sometimes (when a person overeats on fast carbohydrates) it can reach 7 mmol/l. For diabetics, values ​​above 7 and up to 10 are considered a completely acceptable level. With such values, special therapy is not always prescribed, limiting it to diet. If the level is consistently above 10, doctors raise the question of drug correction.

Glucose surges and insulin treatment are inevitable consequences of diabetes at the advanced stage of the disease. So far, medicine cannot cure diabetes completely. However, if you follow a diet, conduct regular monitoring and do not miss injections, you can avoid severe symptoms of hyperglycemia and complications caused by chronically elevated sugar levels.

Sugar imbalance: consequences

Any persistent imbalance (homeostasis) in the body leads to pathology. The exception is glucose levels.

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia cause painful symptoms that often lead to incurable complications or.

High sugar

The popular opinion that diabetes mellitus is the result of excessive consumption of sweets is not entirely true, but it definitely contains a rational grain.

While the amount of glucose increases gradually, insulin is also produced slowly. But when, as a result of a large amount of carbohydrate-rich food, an excess number of sugar molecules enter the bloodstream, the body responds to this by increasing the synthesis of insulin to break down glucose.

If sugar and insulin spikes continue regularly for several years, the pancreas will simply become exhausted. The organ will produce either inferior insulin or a small amount of the hormone, which will not be able to cope with the glucose entering the body. The main signs of hyperglycemia (poisoning of the body with products of carbohydrate metabolism).