What are the symptoms of a diabetic coma. How can high or low blood sugar lead to a diabetic coma. What are the risk factors for diabetic coma. How can diabetic coma be prevented.

What is a Diabetic Coma?

A diabetic coma is a severe, life-threatening condition that can occur in individuals with diabetes. It is characterized by a state of unconsciousness where the person is alive but unable to respond to external stimuli. This medical emergency can result from either extremely high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Why is a diabetic coma so dangerous? If left untreated, it can lead to permanent brain damage or even death. The severity of this condition underscores the importance of proper diabetes management and prompt medical attention when symptoms arise.

Recognizing the Symptoms of High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can be a precursor to a diabetic coma. Identifying the symptoms early can help prevent the situation from escalating. Common signs of high blood sugar include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue or weakness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Fruity breath odor
• Extremely dry mouth

How quickly can these symptoms develop? The onset of hyperglycemia symptoms can be gradual, occurring over hours or even days. This gradual progression provides an opportunity for intervention if recognized early.

Identifying Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) Symptoms

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can also lead to a diabetic coma if not addressed promptly. The symptoms of low blood sugar often develop more rapidly than those of high blood sugar and may include:

• Shakiness and anxiety
• Excessive sweating
• Weakness and fatigue
• Hunger
• Tingling sensations on the skin
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Difficulty speaking
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness

Can hypoglycemia occur without warning? Some individuals, especially those who have had diabetes for a long time, may develop a condition called hypoglycemia unawareness. This means they don’t experience the typical warning signs of dropping blood sugar levels, making it crucial to monitor blood glucose regularly.

Understanding the Causes of Diabetic Coma

A diabetic coma can result from several diabetes-related complications, each stemming from extreme blood sugar imbalances. The three primary causes are:

1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body lacks sufficient insulin to process glucose for energy. As a result, it begins breaking down fat for fuel, producing toxic acids called ketones. This condition is most common in people with type 1 diabetes but can also affect those with type 2 or gestational diabetes.

2. Diabetic Hyperosmolar Syndrome

This condition arises when blood sugar levels exceed 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L). The extremely high glucose concentration causes excessive urination, leading to severe dehydration. If left untreated, it can progress to a diabetic coma.

3. Severe Hypoglycemia

When blood sugar drops too low, the brain is deprived of the glucose it needs to function. In severe cases, this can lead to loss of consciousness and, potentially, a diabetic coma.

How do these conditions develop? Often, they result from a combination of factors, including missed insulin doses, illness, excessive alcohol consumption, or poorly managed diabetes.

Risk Factors for Diabetic Coma

While anyone with diabetes is at risk of experiencing a diabetic coma, certain factors can increase this risk:

1. Insulin delivery problems (for those using insulin pumps)
2. Illness, trauma, or surgery
3. Poorly managed diabetes
4. Intentionally skipping meals or insulin doses
5. Alcohol consumption
6. Illegal drug use

Why do these factors increase the risk of diabetic coma? Each of these situations can lead to significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels, making it more challenging to maintain glycemic control and increasing the likelihood of extreme highs or lows that could result in a coma.

Preventing Diabetic Coma: Essential Strategies

Preventing a diabetic coma involves diligent diabetes management and awareness. Here are some key strategies to reduce the risk:

• Regularly monitor blood glucose levels
• Adhere to prescribed medication regimens
• Maintain a balanced diet and exercise routine
• Stay hydrated, especially during illness
• Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace
• Educate family and friends about diabetes emergencies

How effective are these preventive measures? When consistently applied, these strategies can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a diabetic coma. However, it’s important to remember that even with the best management, emergencies can still occur, making ongoing vigilance crucial.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Recognizing when to seek medical help is crucial in preventing a diabetic coma. Immediate medical attention is necessary if:

• Blood sugar levels remain consistently high or low despite home treatment
• You experience severe symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia
• You feel you might lose consciousness

In the event someone with diabetes loses consciousness, it’s essential to call emergency services immediately. Informing the responders that the person has diabetes can ensure appropriate and swift treatment.

Treatment Approaches for Diabetic Coma

Treatment for a diabetic coma depends on the underlying cause but generally involves emergency medical intervention. The primary goals are to restore blood sugar balance, address any electrolyte imbalances, and treat potential complications.

Treatment for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

DKA treatment typically includes:

• Intravenous fluids to rehydrate the body
• Insulin therapy to lower blood sugar
• Electrolyte replacement

Treatment for Diabetic Hyperosmolar Syndrome

This condition is treated similarly to DKA, with a focus on:

• Gradual rehydration
• Insulin administration
• Electrolyte monitoring and replacement

Treatment for Severe Hypoglycemia

For a coma caused by severe low blood sugar, treatment may involve:

• Intravenous glucose solution
• Glucagon injection

How long does recovery from a diabetic coma take? Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the coma and how quickly treatment was initiated. Some patients may recover within a few hours, while others might require several days of hospitalization.

Long-term Management After a Diabetic Coma

Experiencing a diabetic coma often necessitates adjustments to long-term diabetes management. This may include:

• Reevaluating and adjusting the diabetes treatment plan
• More frequent blood sugar monitoring
• Additional diabetes education and counseling
• Regular check-ups with healthcare providers

Why is long-term follow-up crucial after a diabetic coma? It helps prevent future episodes by addressing any underlying issues in diabetes management and ensuring the patient has the knowledge and tools to maintain better glycemic control.

Technological Advancements in Diabetes Management

Recent technological innovations have significantly improved diabetes management and reduced the risk of complications like diabetic coma. Some of these advancements include:

• Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems
• Insulin pumps with automated insulin delivery
• Smartphone apps for tracking blood sugar, diet, and medication
• Artificial pancreas systems

How do these technologies help prevent diabetic comas? By providing real-time glucose data and in some cases automating insulin delivery, these devices can help maintain more stable blood sugar levels and alert users to dangerous highs or lows before they become critical.

The Psychological Impact of Diabetic Coma

Experiencing or narrowly avoiding a diabetic coma can have significant psychological effects on individuals with diabetes and their loved ones. These may include:

• Increased anxiety about diabetes management
• Fear of future episodes
• Feelings of guilt or failure
• Post-traumatic stress symptoms

How can these psychological effects be addressed? Mental health support, including counseling or therapy, can be beneficial in processing the experience and developing coping strategies. Support groups for individuals with diabetes can also provide valuable emotional support and practical advice.

Research and Future Directions in Diabetic Coma Prevention

Ongoing research continues to advance our understanding and prevention of diabetic comas. Current areas of focus include:

• Improved predictive algorithms for blood sugar fluctuations
• Development of more accurate and less invasive glucose monitoring methods
• Novel therapeutic approaches for maintaining glycemic control
• Genetic studies to identify individuals at higher risk for diabetes complications

What potential breakthroughs are on the horizon? While it’s difficult to predict specific outcomes, the overall trajectory of diabetes research suggests we may see more personalized treatment approaches and technologies that can further reduce the risk of severe complications like diabetic coma.

In conclusion, while a diabetic coma is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, it is largely preventable with proper diabetes management, vigilant monitoring, and prompt action when symptoms arise. By understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and implementing effective prevention strategies, individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing this severe complication. As research continues and technologies advance, we can look forward to even better tools and treatments to help people with diabetes lead healthier, complication-free lives.

Diabetic coma – Symptoms & causes

Overview

A diabetic coma is a life-threatening disorder that causes unconsciousness. If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma.

If you go into a diabetic coma, you’re alive — but you can’t wake up or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation. If it’s not treated, a diabetic coma can result in death.

The idea of a diabetic coma can be scary, but you can take steps to help prevent it. One of the most important is to follow your diabetes treatment plan.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Symptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar usually develop before a diabetic coma.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

If your blood sugar level is too high, you may have:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach pain
• Fruity breath odor
• A very dry mouth

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

If your blood sugar is too low, you may have:

• Shakiness
• Anxiety
• Tiredness or drowsiness
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Hunger
• A feeling of tingling on your skin
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headache
• Difficulty speaking
• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness

Some people, especially those who’ve had diabetes for a long time, develop a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness. That means they don’t have warning symptoms that signal a drop in blood sugar.

If you have any symptoms of high or low blood sugar, test your blood sugar right away. Based on the test results, follow your diabetes treatment. If you don’t start to feel better quickly, or you start to feel worse, get medical care right away.

When to see a doctor

A diabetic coma is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar and you think you might pass out, call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you’re with someone with diabetes who has passed out, call for emergency help. Tell the emergency personnel that the unconscious person has diabetes.

Causes

Blood sugar that’s either too high or too low for too long may cause the following serious health problems, all of which can lead to a diabetic coma.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis. If your muscle cells become starved for energy, your body may start breaking down fat for energy. This process forms toxic acids known as ketones. If you have ketones (measured in blood or urine) and high blood sugar, the condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis. If it’s not treated, it can lead to a diabetic coma.

  Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes. But it can also occur in people who have type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes.

• Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. If your blood sugar level goes above 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 33.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), the condition is called diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

  When blood sugar is very high, the extra sugar passes from the blood into the urine. That triggers a process that draws a large amount of fluid from the body. If it isn’t treated, this can lead to life-threatening dehydration and a diabetic coma.

• Hypoglycemia. Your brain needs sugar (glucose) to function. In severe cases, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may cause you to pass out. Low blood sugar can be caused by too much insulin or not enough food. Exercising too vigorously or drinking too much alcohol can have the same effect.

Risk factors

Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of a diabetic coma, but the following factors can increase the risk:

• Insulin delivery problems. If you’re using an insulin pump, you have to check your blood sugar frequently. Insulin delivery can stop if the pump fails or if the tubing (catheter) becomes twisted or falls out of place. A lack of insulin can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.
• An illness, trauma or surgery. When you’re sick or injured, blood sugar levels can change, sometimes significantly, increasing your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.
• Poorly managed diabetes. If you don’t monitor your blood sugar properly or take your medications as directed by your health care provider, you have a higher risk of developing long-term health problems and a higher risk of diabetic coma.
• Deliberately skipping meals or insulin. Sometimes, people with diabetes who also have an eating disorder choose not to use their insulin as they should, in the hope of losing weight. This is a dangerous, life-threatening thing to do, and it raises the risk of a diabetic coma.
• Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can have unpredictable effects on your blood sugar. Alcohol’s effects may make it harder for you to know when you’re having low blood sugar symptoms. This can increase your risk of a diabetic coma caused by hypoglycemia.
• Illegal drug use. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine, can increase your risk of severe high blood sugar and conditions linked to diabetic coma.

Complications

If it is not treated, a diabetic coma can lead to permanent brain damage and death.

Prevention

Good day-to-day control of your diabetes can help you prevent a diabetic coma. Keep these tips in mind:

• Follow your meal plan. Consistent snacks and meals can help you control your blood sugar level.
• Keep an eye on your blood sugar level. Frequent blood sugar tests can tell you whether you’re keeping your blood sugar level in your target range. It also can alert you to dangerous highs or lows. Check more frequently if you’ve exercised. Exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop, even hours later, especially if you don’t exercise regularly.
• Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of high or low blood sugar, tell your health care provider. You may need to have the dose or the timing of your medication adjusted.
• Have a sick-day plan. Illness can cause an unexpected change in blood sugar. If you are sick and unable to eat, your blood sugar may drop. While you are healthy, talk with your doctor about how to best manage your blood sugar levels if you get sick. Consider storing at least a week’s worth of diabetes supplies and an extra glucagon kit in case of emergencies.
• Check for ketones when your blood sugar is high. Check your urine for ketones when your blood sugar level is over 250 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (14 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)) on more than two consecutive tests, especially if you are sick. If you have a large amount of ketones, call your health care provider for advice. Call your health care provider immediately if you have any level of ketones and are vomiting. High levels of ketones can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma.
• Have glucagon and fast-acting sources of sugar available. If you take insulin for your diabetes, have an up-to-date glucagon kit and fast-acting sources of sugar, such as glucose tablets or orange juice, readily available to treat low blood sugar levels.

• Consider a continuous glucose monitor, especially if you have trouble maintaining stable blood sugar levels or you don’t feel symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia unawareness).

  Continuous glucose monitors are devices that use a small sensor inserted underneath the skin to track trends in blood sugar levels and send the information to a wireless device, such as a smart phone.

  These monitors can alert you when your blood sugar is dangerously low or if it is dropping too fast. But you still need to test your blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter even if you’re using one of these monitors. Continuous glucose monitors are more expensive than other glucose monitoring methods, but they may help you control your glucose better.

• Drink alcohol with caution. Because alcohol can have an unpredictable effect on your blood sugar, have a snack or a meal when you drink alcohol, if you choose to drink at all.
• Educate your loved ones, friends and co-workers. Teach loved ones and other close contacts how to recognize the early symptoms of blood sugar extremes and how to give emergency injections. If you pass out, someone should be able to call for emergency help.
• Wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace. If you’re unconscious, the bracelet or necklace can provide valuable information to your friends, co-workers and emergency personnel.

Continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump

A continuous glucose monitor, on the left, is a device that measures blood sugar every few minutes using a sensor inserted under the skin. An insulin pump, attached to the pocket, is a device that’s worn outside of the body with a tube that connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter inserted under the skin of the abdomen. Insulin pumps are programmed to deliver specific amounts of insulin continuously and with food.

Diabetic coma – Symptoms & causes

Overview

A diabetic coma is a life-threatening disorder that causes unconsciousness. If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma.

If you go into a diabetic coma, you’re alive — but you can’t wake up or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation. If it’s not treated, a diabetic coma can result in death.

The idea of a diabetic coma can be scary, but you can take steps to help prevent it. One of the most important is to follow your diabetes treatment plan.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Symptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar usually develop before a diabetic coma.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

If your blood sugar level is too high, you may have:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach pain
• Fruity breath odor
• A very dry mouth

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

If your blood sugar is too low, you may have:

• Shakiness
• Anxiety
• Tiredness or drowsiness
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Hunger
• A feeling of tingling on your skin
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headache
• Difficulty speaking
• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness

Some people, especially those who’ve had diabetes for a long time, develop a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness. That means they don’t have warning symptoms that signal a drop in blood sugar.

If you have any symptoms of high or low blood sugar, test your blood sugar right away. Based on the test results, follow your diabetes treatment. If you don’t start to feel better quickly, or you start to feel worse, get medical care right away.

When to see a doctor

A diabetic coma is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar and you think you might pass out, call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you’re with someone with diabetes who has passed out, call for emergency help. Tell the emergency personnel that the unconscious person has diabetes.

Causes

Blood sugar that’s either too high or too low for too long may cause the following serious health problems, all of which can lead to a diabetic coma.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis. If your muscle cells become starved for energy, your body may start breaking down fat for energy. This process forms toxic acids known as ketones. If you have ketones (measured in blood or urine) and high blood sugar, the condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis. If it’s not treated, it can lead to a diabetic coma.

  Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes. But it can also occur in people who have type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes.

• Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. If your blood sugar level goes above 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 33.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), the condition is called diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

  When blood sugar is very high, the extra sugar passes from the blood into the urine. That triggers a process that draws a large amount of fluid from the body. If it isn’t treated, this can lead to life-threatening dehydration and a diabetic coma.

• Hypoglycemia. Your brain needs sugar (glucose) to function. In severe cases, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may cause you to pass out. Low blood sugar can be caused by too much insulin or not enough food. Exercising too vigorously or drinking too much alcohol can have the same effect.

Risk factors

Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of a diabetic coma, but the following factors can increase the risk:

• Insulin delivery problems. If you’re using an insulin pump, you have to check your blood sugar frequently. Insulin delivery can stop if the pump fails or if the tubing (catheter) becomes twisted or falls out of place. A lack of insulin can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.
• An illness, trauma or surgery. When you’re sick or injured, blood sugar levels can change, sometimes significantly, increasing your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.
• Poorly managed diabetes. If you don’t monitor your blood sugar properly or take your medications as directed by your health care provider, you have a higher risk of developing long-term health problems and a higher risk of diabetic coma.
• Deliberately skipping meals or insulin. Sometimes, people with diabetes who also have an eating disorder choose not to use their insulin as they should, in the hope of losing weight. This is a dangerous, life-threatening thing to do, and it raises the risk of a diabetic coma.
• Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can have unpredictable effects on your blood sugar. Alcohol’s effects may make it harder for you to know when you’re having low blood sugar symptoms. This can increase your risk of a diabetic coma caused by hypoglycemia.
• Illegal drug use. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine, can increase your risk of severe high blood sugar and conditions linked to diabetic coma.

Complications

If it is not treated, a diabetic coma can lead to permanent brain damage and death.

Prevention

Good day-to-day control of your diabetes can help you prevent a diabetic coma. Keep these tips in mind:

• Follow your meal plan. Consistent snacks and meals can help you control your blood sugar level.
• Keep an eye on your blood sugar level. Frequent blood sugar tests can tell you whether you’re keeping your blood sugar level in your target range. It also can alert you to dangerous highs or lows. Check more frequently if you’ve exercised. Exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop, even hours later, especially if you don’t exercise regularly.
• Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of high or low blood sugar, tell your health care provider. You may need to have the dose or the timing of your medication adjusted.
• Have a sick-day plan. Illness can cause an unexpected change in blood sugar. If you are sick and unable to eat, your blood sugar may drop. While you are healthy, talk with your doctor about how to best manage your blood sugar levels if you get sick. Consider storing at least a week’s worth of diabetes supplies and an extra glucagon kit in case of emergencies.
• Check for ketones when your blood sugar is high. Check your urine for ketones when your blood sugar level is over 250 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (14 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)) on more than two consecutive tests, especially if you are sick. If you have a large amount of ketones, call your health care provider for advice. Call your health care provider immediately if you have any level of ketones and are vomiting. High levels of ketones can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma.
• Have glucagon and fast-acting sources of sugar available. If you take insulin for your diabetes, have an up-to-date glucagon kit and fast-acting sources of sugar, such as glucose tablets or orange juice, readily available to treat low blood sugar levels.

• Consider a continuous glucose monitor, especially if you have trouble maintaining stable blood sugar levels or you don’t feel symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia unawareness).

  Continuous glucose monitors are devices that use a small sensor inserted underneath the skin to track trends in blood sugar levels and send the information to a wireless device, such as a smart phone.

  These monitors can alert you when your blood sugar is dangerously low or if it is dropping too fast. But you still need to test your blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter even if you’re using one of these monitors. Continuous glucose monitors are more expensive than other glucose monitoring methods, but they may help you control your glucose better.

• Drink alcohol with caution. Because alcohol can have an unpredictable effect on your blood sugar, have a snack or a meal when you drink alcohol, if you choose to drink at all.
• Educate your loved ones, friends and co-workers. Teach loved ones and other close contacts how to recognize the early symptoms of blood sugar extremes and how to give emergency injections. If you pass out, someone should be able to call for emergency help.
• Wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace. If you’re unconscious, the bracelet or necklace can provide valuable information to your friends, co-workers and emergency personnel.

Continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump

A continuous glucose monitor, on the left, is a device that measures blood sugar every few minutes using a sensor inserted under the skin. An insulin pump, attached to the pocket, is a device that’s worn outside of the body with a tube that connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter inserted under the skin of the abdomen. Insulin pumps are programmed to deliver specific amounts of insulin continuously and with food.

What is the norm of blood sugar and what to do if it is high or low

Likbez

Health

January 25, 2022

Get your glucose tested at least every three years.

Why blood sugar is needed

In fact, we are not talking about sugar, but about glucose. Sugar, like any other carbohydrate, is not absorbed by the body directly: it is broken down in the intestines to simple sugars (monosaccharides) and enters the blood in the form of glucose.

A healthy 70 kg person has approximately 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of glucose in their blood at all times.

This substance is the main source of energy for all body cells. It is thanks to him that we have the strength to breathe, move, learn and think.

How blood sugar is measured and what is considered normal

In international practice, blood sugar (glycemia) is measured in the so-called molar concentration – millimoles per liter (mmol/l). In the United States, Germany, and some other countries, mass concentrations are also common, in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). To convert one concentration to another, it is enough to remember this equality: 1 mmol / l \u003d 18 mg / dl.

A blood sugar test is done on an empty stomach, usually in the morning. This is important because any food you eat can raise your glucose levels.

Sample can be taken from a finger or a vein. Venous blood tests give a more accurate result.

Fasting blood glucose from a vein is between 3.9 and 5.6 mmol/L (70-100 mg/dL).

If the test result is different from the norm, this means the following:

• From 5.6 to 6.9 mmol / l – the so-called prediabetes. This is a slight increase in blood sugar levels, which means that something is going on in your body that increases the risk of developing diabetes.
• 7 mmol/l and above – hyperglycemia (increased blood glucose level). Most often, the violation speaks of diabetes mellitus.
• Below 3.9 mmol/l, hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). This is also an unhealthy condition that can be a sign of a number of disorders in the body.

Please note: when testing blood from a finger, the normal values ​​shift – up to the range of 3.3-5.5 mmol / l.

Why blood sugar changes

The body regulates the amount of glucose in the blood by:

• enzymes that help break down carbohydrates in the intestines and thus affect the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream;
• hormones that determine how quickly the cells of the body will consume sugar from the blood.

Essential enzymes are produced by the pancreas. It also produces insulin, a key hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose. If there is too little insulin, or, for example, cells stop responding to it for some reason (this is called insulin resistance), blood sugar levels rise. In the first situation, they speak of type 1 diabetes, in the second, of type 2 diabetes.

Glycemia is also affected by the work of:

• the liver and kidneys, which purify the blood from excess glucose and remove the substance from the body;
• thyroid gland: hormones secreted by it determine the rate at which cells consume sugar from the blood;
• adrenal glands. This paired endocrine gland also produces hormones (such as adrenaline) that regulate metabolic rate.

What is the danger of abnormal sugar levels

Both hypo- and hyperglycemia affect well-being. First of all, the brain suffers, since its cells consume about half (up to 60% – if we are talking about a hungry or inactive person) of all the energy supplied by glucose.

Dizziness, loss of concentration, weakness, blurred vision, trembling hands are common symptoms for both low and high blood sugar levels. But abnormal glycemia, in addition to feeling unwell, has other, more serious consequences.

With constant hyperglycemia, glucose accumulates in organs and tissues and becomes toxic – it begins to destroy the liver, kidneys, retina, blood vessels, heart, and nervous system. With a lack of sugar, the cells of the body are chronically lacking nutrition, and this also leads to damage to vital organs.

Why blood sugar levels are high

Most often this indicates a pre-diabetic state or diabetes mellitus that has already occurred. However, other medical problems can also lead to an increase in glycemia.

• Hyperthyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too many hormones.
• Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas.
• Severe stress.
• Trauma or surgery.
• Liver diseases.
• Stroke.
• Pancreatic cancer, as well as other rarer tumors.

Why blood sugar levels are low

Hypoglycemia is also a common companion of diabetes. It occurs when a person suffering from this disease takes too much insulin by mistake. But other reasons for low blood glucose levels are also possible.

• Insufficient nutrition. The amount of sugar in your blood drops if you are on a too rigid diet or suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
• Too strenuous and long exercise. Let’s say you just ran a marathon, rode a few tens of kilometers on a bike, or just dug a garden, forgetting about lunch.
• Hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too little hormone.
• Diseases of the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, liver or kidneys.

How to know if your blood sugar level is abnormal

It is almost impossible to do this without a blood test. The fact is that the characteristic symptoms of a decrease or increase in glucose levels can be easily confused with ordinary fatigue or, for example, a reaction to weather changes.

In order not to miss the developing hypo- or hyperglycemia and the diseases that caused it, doctors – both Western and Russian – recommend regularly testing blood sugar levels.

Donate blood for sugar at least once every three years. This is especially important for people over 45.

In addition, it is recommended to do the analysis as soon as possible if you have signs of diabetes:

• urination becomes more frequent;
• you have put on a lot of weight;
• your eyesight is getting worse;
• weakness regularly rolls up, up to darkening in the eyes.

What to do if your blood sugar is low or high

This situation should definitely be discussed with the therapist. The doctor will determine the causes of hypo- or hyperglycemia, make an accurate diagnosis and give instructions on how to return the glucose level to normal.

Depending on the diagnosis, the physician may prescribe medication. Some of them may have to take a lifetime.

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How to properly prepare for a blood sugar (glucose) test. Preparing for sugar analysis.

What does a blood sugar test show?

The analysis shows the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which can indicate the presence of diabetes and other diseases.

Low sugar levels (hypoglycemia) can signal diseases of the pancreas, liver, kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as the hypothalamus.

The most common cause of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia can also speak of other endocrine diseases, problems of the liver and hypothalamus, and a constant inflammatory process in the body.

There is also a glucose tolerance test (aka glucose tolerance test or GTT), which is carried out to detect prediabetes, and is also prescribed for pregnant women.

Indications for analysis

Symptoms that may be caused by low blood sugar include:

• constant lethargy, fatigue;
• increased sweating;
• anxiety;
• bouts of hunger.

Symptoms that high blood sugar can cause include:

• rapid breathing;
• dry mouth, thirst;
• dry skin;
• decreased clarity of vision;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• poor wound healing;
• itching of the skin and mucous membranes;
• weight loss.

If you notice some of the listed symptoms behind you, make an appointment with a general practitioner, he will diagnose and write out a referral for the necessary analysis.

With both deviations from the norm, an unstable mental state, mood swings can be observed.

How sugar is tested

A blood sugar test is done by taking blood either from a finger (capillary blood) or from a vein under the elbow (venous blood).

Blood sugar norms

l The norm of blood sugar in an adult is:

• 3.3–5.5 mmol/l (for capillary blood sampling)
• 3.7–6.1 mmol/L (at sampling)

If the mark exceeds 6.1 mmol/l, it is necessary to be examined.

In order for your results to be reliable, you need to properly prepare for the test for sugar.

How to take a blood sugar test

So that the test results do not turn out to be false, it is necessary to follow some rules for preparing the patient for a blood test for sugar. Otherwise, you may need to retake the analysis (and this is a waste of your time and money), or an incorrect diagnosis and treatment may be prescribed.

Can I drink water before the sugar test?

You can drink water. But no more – it is necessary to exclude alcoholic and containing sugar and sweeteners drinks.

Preparing for a glucose test

• On an empty stomach. 8-hour or better 12-hour fasting. Drink only water. Alcohol (for 102 days it is better to exclude) and sweet drinks are strictly prohibited.
• Better sleep well
• Avoid intense mental work, stress and outbursts of emotions. The body can increase blood glucose levels during a stressful situation. Excessive emotions can suppress insulin production.
• It is best not to brush your teeth with sugary toothpaste.
• No smoking. (with diabetes it is better to exclude smoking altogether)
• Be careful with medication. If necessary, treatment of acute or chronic episodes of the disease should warn the doctor about the existing problems and reschedule the study or interpret its results in accordance with the ability of some drugs to raise or lower the studied parameters
• During the period of colds or other acute infections, the result may be false positive
• On the eve of the analysis, you should not participate in feasts, eat tightly before bedtime, drink alcohol, get involved in fatty foods, fast food, etc.
• Immediately after therapeutic procedures and serious studies (massage, ultrasound, X-ray, physiotherapy), you cannot take a sugar test.
• On the eve and before donating blood for sugar, it is better not to engage in active sports. It is better to spend the day and morning before the analysis in the usual calm mode.

What not to eat before a sugar test

What then can you eat before a sugar test?

If you need to prepare for a blood glucose test, but you are overcome by hunger, then eat something light and healthy. For example:

• boiled/baked chicken
• green vegetables
• cereals

Can I brush my teeth before donating blood for sugar

It is not recommended to brush your teeth before the examination, because. toothpastes contain sugar, which is well absorbed through the oral mucosa and can affect the accuracy of the analysis. Avoid chewing gum as well.

Preparation for pregnancy blood sugar test

Preparing for a glucose tolerance test for pregnant women does not differ from the above measures.