Side Effects of High Blood Sugar / health guideline 360

Side Effects of High Blood Sugar


High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is a condition that affects people who have diabetes. It happens when the glucose (sugar) level in the blood is too high for a long time. This can cause serious health problems if it is not treated.

What Causes High Blood Sugar?

High blood sugar can be caused by several factors, such as:

• Eating too much food, especially carbohydrates (such as bread, rice, pasta, and sweets)

• Not taking enough insulin or other medication to lower blood sugar

• Skipping or forgetting doses of insulin or medication

• Being sick or stressed

• Having an infection or injury

• Being less active than usual

What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Sugar?

High blood sugar may not cause any symptoms at first. But as the blood sugar level rises, you may notice some of the following signs:

• Feeling thirsty and drinking more water than usual

• Urinating more often, especially at night

•  Feeling tired and weak

• Having blurred vision

•  Having dry mouth or skin

• Having headaches or trouble concentrating

• Having cuts or sores that heal slowly

• Having infections on your skin, mouth, or genitals

If high blood sugar is not treated, it can lead to a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This happens when the body starts to burn fat for energy, because it cannot use glucose. This produces harmful acids called ketones, which make the blood more acidic. DKA can cause:

• Fruity-smelling breath

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Shortness of breath

• Confusion or coma

DKA is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

How To Prevent And Treat High Blood Sugar?

The best  and easy way to prevent high blood sugar is to manage your diabetes well. This means:

✓ Checking your blood sugar regularly, as your doctor recommends

✓ Knowing your target blood sugar range and what to do if your levels are too high or too low

✓ Taking your insulin or medication as prescribed and on time

✓ Following a healthy eating plan that suits your needs and preferences

✓ Being physically active every day

✓ Avoiding or limiting alcohol and tobacco

✓ Reducing stress and getting enough sleep

✓ Seeing your doctor and diabetes care team regularly for check-ups and tests

If you have high blood sugar, you need to take action to lower it. Depending on your situation, you may need to:


✓ Drink more water to flush out the excess glucose and prevent dehydration

✓ Take extra insulin or medication, as instructed by your doctor

✓ Eat less or avoid foods that raise your blood sugar

✓ Exercise moderately, if you are able to and your doctor approves

✓ Monitor your blood sugar more often and record the results

✓ Check your urine for ketones, if your doctor advises

✓ Contact your doctor or diabetes care team if your blood sugar does not improve or if you have symptoms of DKA

Conclusion
High blood sugar is a common and serious complication of diabetes. It can damage your organs and increase your risk of other health problems. It is important to know the causes, symptoms, and treatments of high blood sugar, and to take steps to prevent and manage it. By doing so, you can improve your quality of life and reduce the impact of diabetes on your health.

Source:

WebMD.

Mayo Clinic.

Diabetes org UK

wikipedia

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