Glucose is a vital element that, as a result of oxidation, turns into energy, without which human activity is impossible. Entering the body along with carbohydrates, it penetrates the blood and nourishes every cell in the body.
Increased blood glucose - what does it mean?
The activity and well-being of a person directly depends on the level of glycemia - an indicator that characterizes the presence of sugar in the blood. When it becomes lower than normal or higher, a malfunction of all organs is inevitable, which can subsequently lead to serious diseases. Especially you should not allow hyperglycemia - a condition in which blood glucose is elevated. How dangerous is this? The answer to this question will be the fact that an excess of sugar is the main sign of diabetes, which can be prevented by taking measures in time. To do this, it is important to listen to your body and not ignore signals about violations in its work.
Increased blood glucose: causes, symptoms
In order to start treatment in a timely manner at the initial stage, which is the main condition for its effectiveness, it is necessary to seek professional medical advice if you have the following symptoms:
- almost constant thirst;
- itching of the skin;
- frequent urination that does not cause pain;
- an increase in the amount of urine;
- the appearance of nightly urination;
- noticeable weight loss;
- headaches and dizziness;
- constant weakness and fatigue;
- visual impairment;
- decrease in body defenses and long non-healing wounds.
The appearance of one of the above symptoms is possible with other diseases. If there are more, then this is an occasion to think about the fact that the sugar level is out of the norm. What contributing to this can be called the causes and actions? When blood glucose is elevated, the following factors are considered as a possible catalyst:
- diabetes is the most common cause;
- excessive consumption of food, especially fast carbohydrates;
- Staying too long in a stressful situation;
- previous severe infectious disease.
In order to better understand the mechanism of these symptoms, it is worth considering in more detail how high blood glucose is associated with each of them. What does this mean for the whole body to work?
How does the body react to changes in glucose levels?
The reason for constant thirst lies in the fact that glucose molecules tend to attract water molecules to themselves. To prevent dehydration, the brain sends a signal that prompts the patient to drink in large quantities. The kidneys, in turn, begin to work hard to remove excess fluid from the body. This explains the frequent urination. In the event that renal function is impaired, the condition may be complicated by increased pressure, which can also be considered one of the signs of hypertension.
Diabetes of two types: what are the differences?
A change in the patient’s weight is related to the type of diabetes mellitus found in him. Type I is characterized by insufficient production of insulin, when the cells are completely devoid of glucose. At the same time, the body does not have the energy that it needs to perform vital functions. This explains the weight loss, which becomes noticeable to the naked eye.
A completely opposite situation is observed in type II diabetes, in which the patient is overweight. This is exactly what the increased blood glucose is completely to blame. What does it mean? In this case, insulin is produced in sufficient or excessive amounts, but does not enter the cells, since the latter cannot react with it. The reason for this is tissue obesity, which does not disappear even as a result of energy starvation.
Energy starvation of the brain causes headaches, weakness and decreased performance. After all, the central nervous system does not receive glucose, which has always been its main source of nutrition. The brain begins to generate energy in an alternative way, associated with the oxidation of fats, which is not an equivalent substitute. This process very often leads to ketonemia, in which the patient emits the smell of acetone, which can also be attributed to the symptoms of an increase in blood sugar.
Wounds that do not heal for a long time are also a consequence of energy starvation. Hyperglycemia contributes to the development of a favorable environment for various microorganisms, due to which purulent processes begin. And leukocytes, whose protective function is impaired by the lack of glucose, are not able to neutralize them.
The appearance of these symptoms is an occasion to rush to a laboratory blood test and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, receive appropriate treatment.
Sugar analysis: how to prepare
In order to obtain an objective result as a result of the analysis, one cannot ignore a few simple but mandatory rules.
- two days before the day of blood donation, even small doses of alcohol should be abandoned;
- twelve hours must pass after eating food;
- on the appointed day, it is not recommended to brush your teeth.
A blood test can be done both in the laboratory and at home independently. To do this, you need a glucometer - a device designed specifically for this purpose. The accuracy of its indicators is comparable to laboratory.
There is also another type of analysis called “2hGP”. What sets it apart is that it is done exactly two hours after you ate.
What do the results say?
Deciphering the result of the analysis will not cause difficulties if you have an idea of how much the glucose norm in the blood is, an increased level and a reduced one.
- 6 mmol / L - the upper limit of the range related to the permissible sugar content.
- 3.5 mmol / l - 5.5 mmol / l - satisfactory indicators of a healthy person.
- 6.1 mmol / l - 7 mmol / l - these indicators indicate that this is the last stage preceding diabetes.
- More than 7 mmol / L - very high blood glucose. What does it mean? Unfortunately, it is easy to guess that the likelihood of diabetes is almost inevitable. To confirm or refute this, additional analyzes will be required.
Despite the fact that the decoding of the indicators is quite accessible, you should definitely contact your doctor.
What will help to resist the disease?
If you got a conclusion from the lab: “Blood test: glucose is elevated,” what does this mean? That it is necessary to take a number of specific measures as soon as possible, depending on the neglect of the situation, which will help to find out the analysis of "2hGP".
- If diabetes is not confirmed, but the glucose level is significantly increased, it is necessary to exclude carbohydrates almost completely.
- In the presence of diabetes mellitus, the diet should be accompanied by the administration of drugs prescribed by the doctor, and sugar control is also required.
General recommendations for high sugar
Now that it is known why blood glucose levels can be elevated, it is time to introduce some new rules into your old lifestyle. Be sure to review the daily diet, from which the following foods should be excluded:
- confectionery;
- fruits containing a lot of sugar;
- various sausages and fatty meat.
You should stop your choice on lean meat and fish, vegetables, cereals. As a dessert, sour berries and fruits, cottage cheese are suitable. It is advisable to eat fractionally. In no case should you allow overeating.
If we talk about sports, then an ideal option would be cardio.
An excess of glucose in the blood - a sentence?
The answer to the question is unequivocal - no, not a sentence. Do not despair and lock yourself in, as well as continue to lead a past lifestyle. Responsible attitude to one’s own health and self-confidence - this is the key to good health and a return to normal levels.