The concentration of sugar in the blood (glucose in the body) must be strictly regulated so that the main source of energy is not excreted along with urine. If glucose metabolism is disturbed, then this is manifested in an increase in its volume (hyperglycemia) or a decrease (hypoglycemia). In this article, we will discuss the topic “Increased sugar”, its symptoms and effects on the human body.
So, hyperglycemia is called an increased plasma sugar. As you know, this condition leads to a disease called diabetes mellitus.
Despite the fact that high blood sugar is the main sign of diabetes, it can (and even should) be reduced to normal values. This is actually a very important point, because if sugar is constantly at a high level, then this will not only provoke poor health, but can also lead to chronic complications of diabetes. As a result of this, the patient's legs, kidneys and eyes, as well as his cardiovascular system (various manifestations of atherosclerosis) can be affected.
By the way, not only high blood sugar, but also high cholesterol and blood pressure can contribute to the development of atherosclerotic complications.
A diabetes patient can increase sugar levels due to overeating, stress, various diseases, skipping sports, taking medications and, of course, skipping an insulin injection. It is difficult to maintain normal sugar levels in adolescence when a person grows rapidly.
High blood sugar - symptoms:
- increased urination. A person with high blood sugar in the blood plasma urinates a lot and often (10 times a day or more). Even at night, he is forced to go to the toilet several times, and high glucose is to blame. In healthy people, it is held by the kidneys, and in patients with diabetes, it is excreted along with urine. As a result, the number of urinations increases;
- intense thirst. Due to frequent urination, the body is dehydrated, as a result of which the need for additional fluid increases. A person has a constant feeling of thirst, which is the main symptom of high glucose levels. Often, patients with diabetes drink 6-8 liters of fluid per day without noticing this, although 1.5-2 liters are considered the norm. Moreover, various soft drinks only increase thirst. This is due to the sugar content in them, the use of which only increases the feeling of thirst;
- dry mouth. Increased sugar provokes dehydration and, as a result, dry mouth;
- weight loss. A person with diabetes (even if he eats abundantly) can lose weight. This occurs as a result of the loss of large amounts of glucose together with urine. As you know, glucose is the main source of energy. That is, the loss of glucose entails a loss of energy and, as a compensation, the human body begins to receive energy using other methods. One such way is to use fat. This is what leads to significant weight loss and even muscle reduction;
- The feeling of hunger is the result of losing weight. Some people have an increased need for sweets;
- drowsiness, fatigue and weakness. In connection with the loss of energy, weight loss and dehydration of the body, a person feels rapid fatigue (pronounced) and weakness up to drowsiness;
- visual impairment. As you know, the ability to see well and clearly is given to us thanks to the lens. However, increased blood sugar leads to the fact that fluid accumulates in it. As a result, the lens changes shape and swells. Because of this, a person's visual acuity decreases;
- feeling of numbness, burning and tingling. The nervous system is influenced by high glucose levels, as a result of which similar phenomena may occur;
- long-running infections. Lingering infections often overshadow the lives of people with diabetes. The weakened defense reaction is due to too high blood sugar and low cell health. We all know that it is leukocytes (white blood cells) that play an important role in the body's defensive response against infections.