Causes of blood sugar increase. 10 Surprising Causes of Blood Sugar Spikes: Managing Diabetes in Unexpected Situations
What are the unexpected factors that can cause blood sugar spikes in diabetics. How can heat and humidity affect blood sugar levels. Why is proper hydration crucial for diabetes management. What role does stress play in blood glucose control. How can certain medications impact blood sugar levels.
Understanding Blood Sugar Spikes in Diabetes
For individuals living with diabetes, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is a constant challenge. While diet and medication are well-known factors affecting glucose control, several surprising elements can cause unexpected spikes. Understanding these triggers is crucial for effective diabetes management.
The Impact of Heat and Humidity on Blood Sugar
One often overlooked factor in blood sugar management is the weather, particularly heat and humidity. People with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are more sensitive to high temperatures than those without the condition. This increased sensitivity can lead to several complications:
- Impaired sweat gland function due to nerve damage, reducing the body’s ability to cool itself
- Increased risk of dehydration, which can raise blood sugar levels
- Changes in insulin absorption and effectiveness in high temperatures
How does humidity affect blood sugar control? High humidity combined with heat makes it harder for sweat to evaporate from the skin, reducing the body’s natural cooling mechanism. This can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, which is particularly dangerous for diabetics.
Managing Diabetes in Hot Weather
To maintain stable blood sugar levels during hot and humid conditions, consider these strategies:
- Check blood sugar levels more frequently
- Stay hydrated with water, avoiding caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
- Adjust insulin dosage as needed (consult with your healthcare provider)
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day
- Use air conditioning or visit cool public spaces
Dehydration and Its Effects on Blood Glucose
Proper hydration is essential for everyone, but it’s particularly crucial for those with diabetes. Dehydration can cause blood sugar levels to rise, creating a vicious cycle as high blood sugar leads to increased urination and further fluid loss.
How does dehydration affect blood sugar levels? When the body is dehydrated, it produces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can counteract insulin’s effects, leading to higher blood glucose levels. Additionally, as blood volume decreases due to dehydration, the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream increases.
Staying Hydrated with Diabetes
To maintain proper hydration and blood sugar control:
- Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty
- Monitor urine color – pale yellow indicates good hydration
- Increase fluid intake during hot weather or physical activity
- Choose water over sugary drinks or alcohol
- Eat water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and zucchini
The Role of Sleep in Blood Sugar Regulation
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Both insufficient and excessive sleep can negatively impact glucose control. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased insulin resistance and higher blood sugar levels, while oversleeping may also disrupt normal glucose metabolism.
How many hours of sleep are optimal for blood sugar control? Most adults need between 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night. Consistently getting less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours of sleep may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and make blood sugar management more challenging for those already diagnosed.
Improving Sleep for Better Glucose Control
To optimize sleep and potentially improve blood sugar management:
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine
- Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool
- Limit screen time before bed
- Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime
- Regular exercise can improve sleep quality, but avoid vigorous activity close to bedtime
Exercise and Blood Sugar Fluctuations
Physical activity is a key component of diabetes management, but it can also cause unexpected blood sugar fluctuations. While exercise generally helps lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity, intense or prolonged activity can sometimes lead to temporary spikes.
Why does exercise sometimes raise blood sugar? During high-intensity workouts, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can cause a temporary increase in blood glucose. Additionally, if blood sugar is too low before exercise, the liver may release stored glucose to fuel the activity, leading to a spike.
Balancing Exercise and Blood Sugar Control
To maintain stable blood sugar levels during and after exercise:
- Check blood glucose before, during, and after physical activity
- Adjust insulin or medication as needed (consult your healthcare provider)
- Have a small snack before exercise if blood sugar is low
- Stay hydrated during workouts
- Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia during and after exercise
- Gradually increase exercise intensity and duration to allow your body to adapt
Stress and Its Impact on Blood Glucose Levels
Stress, whether physical or emotional, can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels. When stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can cause blood glucose to rise. This “fight or flight” response can be particularly challenging for people with diabetes to manage.
How does chronic stress affect long-term blood sugar control? Prolonged stress can lead to consistently elevated blood glucose levels, making diabetes management more difficult. It may also contribute to insulin resistance and increase the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Stress Management Techniques for Diabetes
To reduce stress and potentially improve blood sugar control:
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Prioritize sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule
- Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional
- Consider stress-reducing activities like yoga or tai chi
- Set realistic goals and practice time management
Medications That Can Affect Blood Sugar Levels
While many medications are designed to help manage diabetes, some drugs prescribed for other conditions can unexpectedly affect blood glucose levels. It’s important for people with diabetes to be aware of these potential interactions.
Which common medications can impact blood sugar? Some medications that may affect blood glucose include:
- Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
- Certain antidepressants
- Some blood pressure medications
- Niacin (used to lower cholesterol)
- Some decongestants
- Certain antibiotics
Managing Medication-Induced Blood Sugar Changes
To minimize the impact of medications on blood glucose:
- Inform all healthcare providers about your diabetes diagnosis
- Ask about potential blood sugar effects when starting new medications
- Monitor blood glucose more frequently when beginning a new drug
- Work with your healthcare team to adjust diabetes management if needed
- Never stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting your doctor
Oral Health and Its Connection to Blood Sugar
The relationship between oral health and diabetes is bidirectional. Poor blood sugar control can increase the risk of gum disease, while gum infections can make it harder to manage blood glucose levels.
How does gum disease affect blood sugar? Periodontal disease can cause inflammation throughout the body, which may lead to insulin resistance and higher blood glucose levels. Additionally, infections can cause stress on the body, triggering the release of hormones that raise blood sugar.
Maintaining Oral Health with Diabetes
To promote good oral health and potentially improve blood sugar control:
- Brush teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings
- Inform your dentist about your diabetes diagnosis
- Monitor and control blood sugar levels to reduce the risk of oral health problems
Understanding these surprising factors that can affect blood sugar levels is crucial for effective diabetes management. By being aware of these potential triggers and taking proactive steps to address them, individuals with diabetes can better maintain stable blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of complications. Always consult with your healthcare team when making changes to your diabetes management plan or if you have concerns about your blood sugar control.
Managing Diabetes in the Heat | Diabetes
How to keep your cool during the hottest time of year.
Take steps to stay cool when the weather heats up.
Did you know that people who have diabetes—both type 1 and type 2—feel the heat more than people who don’t have diabetes? Some reasons why:
- Certain diabetes complications, such as damage to blood vessels and nerves, can affect your sweat glands so your body can’t cool as effectively. That can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.
- People with diabetes get dehydrated (lose too much water from their bodies) more quickly. Not drinking enough liquids can raise blood sugar, and high blood sugar can make you urinate more, causing dehydration. Some commonly used medicines like diuretics (“water pills” to treat high blood pressure) can dehydrate you, too.
- High temperatures can change how your body uses insulin.
You may need to test your blood sugar more often and adjust your insulin dose and what you eat and drink.
It’s the Heat
and the Humidity
Even when it doesn’t seem very hot outside, the combination of heat and humidity (moisture in the air) can be dangerous. When sweat evaporates (dries) on your skin, it removes heat and cools you. It’s harder to stay cool in high humidity because sweat can’t evaporate as well.
Whether you’re working out or just hanging out, it’s a good idea to check the heat index—a measurement that combines temperature and humidity. Take steps to stay cool (see sidebar) when it reaches 80°F in the shade with 40% humidity or above. Important to know: The heat index can be up to 15°F higher in full sunlight, so stick to the shade when the weather warms up.
Physical activity is key to managing diabetes, but don’t get active outdoors during the hottest part of the day or when the heat index is high. Get out early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are lower, or go to an air-conditioned mall or gym to get active.
Your Blood Sugar Knows Best
Kids out of school, vacations, get-togethers, family reunions. The summer season can throw off your routine, and possibly your diabetes management plan. Check your blood sugar more often to make sure it’s in your target range no matter what the summer brings. It’s especially important to recognize what low blood sugar feels like and treat it as soon as possible.
Play it safe in the sun with a hat and sunglasses.
Warm-weather wisdom:
- Drink plenty of water—even if you’re not thirsty—so you don’t get dehydrated.
- Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine, like coffee and energy or sports drinks. They can lead to water loss and spike your blood sugar levels.
- Check your blood sugar before, during, and after you’re active. You may need to change how much insulin you use. Ask your doctor if you would like help in adjusting your dosage.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat when you’re outside.
Sunburn can raise your blood sugar levels.
- Don’t go barefoot, even on the beach or at the pool.
- Use your air conditioner or go to an air-conditioned building or mall to stay cool. In very high heat, a room fan won’t cool you enough.
Too Hot to Handle
Know what else feels the heat? Diabetes medicines, supplies, and equipment:
- Don’t store insulin or oral diabetes medicine in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Check package information about how high temperatures can affect insulin and other medicines.
- If you’re traveling, keep insulin and other medicines in a cooler. Don’t put insulin directly on ice or on a gel pack.
- Heat can damage your blood sugar monitor, insulin pump, and other diabetes equipment. Don’t leave them in a hot car, by a pool, in direct sunlight, or on the beach. The same goes for supplies such as test strips.
But don’t let the summer heat stop you from taking your diabetes medicine and supplies with you when you’re out and about. You’ll need to be able to test your blood sugar and take steps if it’s too high or too low. Just make sure to protect your diabetes gear from the heat.
Stormy Weather
June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season. Severe thunderstorms with hail, high winds, and tornadoes are more likely in warm weather, too. People with diabetes face extra challenges if a strong storm knocks out the power or they have to seek shelter away from home. Plan how you’ll handle medicine that needs refrigeration, such as insulin. And be prepared by packing an emergency go-bag—a supply kit you can grab quickly if you need to leave your home.
Here’s to staying cool, staying safe, and enjoying the long summer days!
Blood Glucose Spikes: Common Causes
Written by Nichole Bazemore
- 1. Your Diet
- 2. Too Little Sleep
- 3. Too Much (or Too Little) Exercise
- 4. Stress
- 5. Some Medications
- 6. Not Brushing and Flossing
- 7.
Smoking
- 8. Dehydration
- More
Because you have type 2 diabetes, you know it’s a must to keep your blood sugar levels under control. But do you know what makes them spike?
Check this list of common culprits, plus ways to help you stay healthy and feel great.
Watch what you eat since that’s one of the most important things you can do to control your blood sugar, also called blood glucose.
That’s because of the impact that carbohydrates — the sugars and starches in foods — can have.
It’s fine to eat them in moderation. But choices that have too many carbs can cause your blood sugar to soar — white rice, pasta, and highly processed or fried foods are examples. Some fruits are high in sugar, such as bananas. It’s OK to have fruit, just not too much.
Choose good carbs, like whole-grain bread and cereal, unprocessed grains such as barley or quinoa, beans, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, fruit, yogurt, and vegetables.
Fiber helps because it lowers blood sugar. Good choices are whole grains, fruits that are lower in sugar (apples and blueberries), veggies, and legumes.
Start with a good breakfast. If you skip the first meal, your blood sugar is more likely to be too high after lunch and dinner. But don’t just reach for a muffin. One study found that people who ate a 500-calorie breakfast with at least 35% protein had lower post-meal blood sugar throughout the day than those who ate a breakfast lower in protein and higher in carbs.
That’s because protein helps slow your digestion. That makes your blood sugar rise more slowly after meals. And eating fewer carbohydrates means your body makes less blood sugar.
Eat a healthy dinner, too. Blood sugar is usually hardest to control later in the day. That’s why many experts say you should choose a dinner or after-dinner snack low in carbohydrates, especially the processed kind. Fat and protein don’t cause blood sugar to rise the same way carbs do. If you’re not sure how to balance your meals, ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian who specializes in diabetes.
Plan when you eat. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, having meals and snacks too close together may not give your blood sugar level time to drop naturally after you eat. Make sure your meals are 4 to 5 hours apart. If you need a snack, do it 2 to 3 hours after your last meal.
Not getting enough rest does more than make you groggy. It also affects how well your body can control and break down blood sugar. Skimping on sleep, even for one night, makes your body use insulin less efficiently. That can make your blood sugar higher than it should be.
In one study, researchers asked healthy adults to sleep just 4 hours a night for 6 days. At the end of the study, their bodies’ ability to break down glucose was 40% lower on average. Why? Doctors believe that when you enter deep sleep, your nervous system slows down and your brain uses less blood sugar.
Get your shut-eye. Remember all the things that help: Stick to a regular schedule, don’t use your phone or tablet close to bedtime, and relax before you hit the hay.
Even a mild workout, like walking or doing light housework, can lower your blood sugar and improve how your body responds to insulin. Research shows that a 15-minute stroll after dinner can help bring blood sugar down. Even better: It can help keep it down for up to 3 hours. When you exercise, your body pumps more sugar to your muscles.
When you don’t move around enough, your glucose levels can rise. Too much exercise can have the same effect. Tough activities, like bench-pressing weights, or competitive ones, like running a race, can raise your blood sugar.
That doesn’t mean you can’t sweat it out. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your whole body. But ask your doctor what changes you may need to make in your treatment plan to keep your blood sugar in the right range.
When you’re really under pressure, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This is your fight-or-flight response. It prompts your body to act like it’s under attack.
Your body burns its stored energy sources — glucose and fat — to meet the threat. When you have diabetes, insulin can’t break through the cells to break down the glucose, and your levels rise.
Stress can also cause blood sugar to rise indirectly. You may be less likely to take care of yourself by eating right, exercising, or taking your medicine when you’re stressed out.
Because you can’t avoid all stress, finding ways to relax is good for your blood sugar and your overall health. Try meditation, yoga, or massage.
You know that insulin can bring your blood sugar down. But if you miss a dose or take the wrong dose of your medicine, you could cause your levels to spike. Some drugs, such as corticosteroids, can have the same effect. Other meds that could raise your glucose include:
- Diuretics (“water pills”)
- Drugs used to treat depression
- Blood pressure medicines
If you’re on any of these medicines and you notice your blood sugar is high, talk to your doctor. They may adjust your diet or medications.
If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to get gum disease (also known as gingivitis). And serious gum disease can make it harder to keep your blood sugar under control. Like all infections, it may cause your glucose to rise. That, in turn, can make other infections more likely. Inflamed or infected gums can also cause your body’s defense system to go into overdrive. That makes it harder for your body to keep insulin and blood sugar in check.
Make sure you not only brush and floss your teeth but also rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash daily.
Keep up with your dentist visits, work on managing your blood sugar, and, if you have gum disease, treat it — and any other infection in any part of your body — ASAP.
If you light up, you raise your chances of getting diabetes. If you already have diabetes, you’re more likely to have trouble finding the right dose of insulin and controlling your blood sugar. Smoking makes it harder to keep your blood sugar levels down.
The lesson here: If you smoke, quit.
Blood sugar levels go up from time to time. But knowing what can cause these spikes can help you control them — and avoid health problems down the line.
Drink plenty of water. When you’re dehydrated, your glucose may be higher than it would normally be.
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High blood sugar in men: symptoms and causes
Find out what high blood sugar in men means and what symptoms it can cause. The causes and methods of treatment of hyperglycemia are considered.
High blood sugar can lead to serious health complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney problems. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is important to prevent these problems.
Men with high blood sugar may experience symptoms such as frequent thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, insomnia, skin rashes, muscle and joint pain.
What can cause high blood sugar levels in men? These can be eating disorders, an inactive lifestyle, a genetic predisposition, stress, certain medications, and other reasons.
It is important to note that regular blood sugar monitoring and proper treatment will help prevent serious complications and maintain good health.
Elevated blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal. Prolonged exposure to this condition can lead to serious health consequences.
An increase in blood sugar levels can be caused by a disorder of the insulin system (the body’s inability to properly process glucose), as well as other diseases and factors such as obesity, stress, lack of sleep, thyroid disorders, etc.
Symptoms of high blood sugar may include persistent thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, decreased vision, slow wound healing, lethargy, etc.
Excessive fatigue – Elevated blood sugar can make you feel weak and tired even with minimal exercise. The man may feel drowsy and unproductive.
Frequent urination – High blood sugar in men can lead to frequent urination. This is because the kidneys are working hard to remove excess glucose from the blood.
Strong thirst – due to the body’s increased need for fluid, elevated sugar levels can lead to a glut of glucose in the blood and cause thirst.
Increased appetite – People with high blood sugar levels may experience a constant need to eat, including sweets.
Delayed healing of wounds and infections – Elevated blood sugar levels can impair the functioning of certain cells in the body, as well as impair the functioning of the immune system, which can lead to slow wound healing and increased susceptibility to infections.
Q&A:
What are the symptoms of high blood sugar in men?
Symptoms of high blood sugar in men may include frequent urination, thirst and hunger, fatigue and irritability, slow wound healing, itching and numbness in the extremities. In more advanced cases, vision problems, abdominal pain, and even loss of consciousness may occur.
What are the causes of high blood sugar in men?
Increased blood sugar in men can be caused by genetic predisposition, poor diet, physical inactivity, stress, thyroid disease, liver and pancreas disease, and certain medications.
How to determine the blood sugar level in men?
Blood sugar levels in men can be determined using blood taken from a finger or a vein, which is taken for analysis. There is also a test for determining the level of glycated hemoglobin, which shows the average level of sugar in the blood over the past 2-3 months.
What are the complications of high blood sugar in men?
High blood sugar in men can lead to serious complications such as heart and vascular disease, nerve damage, kidney problems, vision problems, wounds that do not heal well, and infections such as diabetic foot. In the most severe cases, elevated blood sugar can lead to coma and even death.
How to treat high blood sugar in men?
Treatment for high blood sugar in men may include lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress reduction), medication (insulin tablets or injections), blood sugar control, and visits to a physician to regularly monitor health and prevent complications.
Can men prevent high blood sugar?
Yes, men can prevent high blood sugar levels by following a healthy lifestyle: eating right, being physically active, reducing stress, not smoking, and avoiding alcohol. It is also necessary to regularly check the level of sugar in the blood and monitor the state of health in general.
Who is at risk of developing high blood sugar?
Men over the age of 45 are at risk as the likelihood of developing diabetes increases with age. It is also important to take into account the presence of a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Overweight and obese men are also at risk as body weight is directly related to blood sugar levels.
Unhealthy men , including those who consume foods high in carbohydrates and fats, as well as those who are sedentary and do not control their stress levels, may also be at risk of developing high blood sugar.
Men with other conditions such as hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and adrenal hyperplasia are at risk. Diseases of the liver and pancreas can also affect blood sugar levels.
What habits can raise sugar levels in men?
Unhealthy diet: Consuming foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates can increase blood sugar levels in men. Too much sugary drinks, confectionery, white bread and other flour products can lead to high blood glucose levels.
Too much alcohol: Too much alcohol can lead to problems with blood sugar regulation and even interfere with the anti-insulin function of the liver.
Smoking: Smoking can cause high blood sugar levels because nicotine can damage pancreatic cells, resulting in decreased insulin production and increased blood glucose levels.
Physical inactivity: Some men may have high blood sugar due to physical inactivity. Regular exercise helps to normalize blood sugar levels and control weight.
Stress: Men who face stressful situations may have trouble regulating their blood sugar levels. Since stress can increase the levels of hormones that affect sugar levels, imbalances in insulin can lead to a temporary increase in blood glucose levels.
Diseases that cause high blood sugar in men
Type 2 diabetes is the most common cause of high blood sugar in men. This disease is characterized by a lack of insulin, the hormone responsible for normal blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis – Inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to reduced insulin production, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Hormonal disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can affect blood sugar levels.
Corticosteroids, such as asthma or skin medications, may cause high blood sugar levels.
Obesity, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, can also affect blood sugar levels.
Heart failure may also cause high blood sugar levels.
It is important to note that blood sugar levels can change depending on many factors such as physical activity, diet, stress and other illnesses and conditions.
The role of nutrition in high blood sugar levels in men
Proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining health, including in controlling blood sugar levels in men. In type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels rise because the body cannot effectively use insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. However, proper nutrition can help lower blood sugar levels and improve feelings of well-being.
If men have elevated blood sugar levels, it is recommended to reduce the intake of foods containing simple carbohydrates such as sweets, sugary drinks, bread and other starchy foods. Instead, increase the amount of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, animal and plant protein products in the diet.
In addition, watch portion sizes and foods consumed by men with elevated blood sugar levels. Overeating and frequent snacking should be avoided. It is recommended to reduce the consumption of alcohol, which can increase blood sugar levels. Finally, eating regularly will also help control blood sugar levels in men.
- Recommended foods: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, animal and vegetable proteins.
- Must avoid: Foods containing simple carbohydrates, alcohol, excessive food intake.
- Tip: Eating regularly will help control blood sugar levels in men.
Physical activity as a way to lower blood sugar levels in men
Elevated blood sugar levels in men can cause various diseases, including type 2 diabetes. One way to lower blood sugar levels is to be physically active.
During exercise, blood glucose drops as it is used for energy production. Thus, exercising regularly or simply being active can help control blood sugar levels in men.
It is important to remember to start with small loads and gradually increase them. When playing sports, it is necessary to monitor the level of sugar in the blood, use the dose of insulin required by the endocrinologist, and also use special glucometers.
- Some of the most effective physical activities for lowering blood sugar in men are:
In addition, regular physical activity improve blood flow, body shape and general well-being of men.
Medications to control blood sugar in men
Men may need medication if they have high blood sugar levels. One of the most common classes of drugs are hypoglycemic agents.
There are several subtypes of these, including drugs that increase insulin production, drugs that decrease gluconeogenesis, and drugs that increase insulin sensitivity in tissues.
All of them help control blood sugar levels.
Another important class of drugs are alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. These drugs slow down the process of digestion of carbohydrates in the intestines, which helps to avoid a sharp increase in sugar levels after a meal.
It is important to note that when using medicines, you must follow the doctor’s recommendations and control blood sugar levels in order to avoid possible complications. Metformin 3 Meglitinides
- Acarbose
- Miglitol
How is high blood sugar diagnosed in men?
To diagnose high blood sugar in men, a special study is carried out – a glycemic profile. It consists in determining the level of glucose in the blood on an empty stomach, as well as after taking a certain amount of glucose.
Other test methods such as glycosylated hemoglobin and glucose tolerance test may also be used.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is a measure of blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, as it is associated with hemoglobin in red blood cells. The glucose tolerance test measures how well the body absorbs glucose and regulates blood sugar levels.
If test results indicate high blood sugar, your doctor may order additional tests, such as an insulin resistance test, to determine the cause of your high blood sugar.
It is important to see a doctor if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as frequent urination, excessive thirst and dry mouth, extreme tiredness and drowsiness.
Sequelae of uncontrolled high blood sugar in men
Uncontrolled high blood sugar in men can lead to serious health problems, some of which can be life-threatening.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur if blood sugar levels are elevated and not controlled and treated. This is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma.
- Cardiovascular disease: High blood sugar levels increase the risk of heart and vascular disease. Uncontrolled blood sugar can damage the walls of the arteries, leading to diseases such as arteriosclerosis and stroke.
- Nerve damage: High blood sugar can cause nerve damage, especially in men with diabetes. This can lead to loss of sensation, pain, or even paralysis.
- Kidney problems: Elevated blood sugar can damage the kidneys and lead to chronic kidney failure.
- Loss of vision: High blood sugar can damage the fundus of the eye, which can lead to loss of vision.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur if blood sugar levels are elevated and not controlled and treated. This is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma.
Therefore, at the first sign of high blood sugar, you should consult a doctor and begin treatment and control sugar levels.
How to prevent high blood sugar in men?
Watch your diet. Proper nutrition is a key factor in preventing high blood sugar levels. Avoiding sugary, fatty, and fast foods can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy proteins, and healthy fats.
Start exercising. Regular exercise can help manage blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart disease. Choose the right exercises for you that will allow you to keep fit.
Give up bad habits. Smoking and drinking can lead to many diseases, including diabetes. If you smoke or drink alcohol, then you need to stop or minimize their consumption. Apples
- chicken
- carrots
- blueberries
- fish
9031 7
- tomatoes
- grapefruit
- legumes
9030 4
Watch your weight. Being overweight can lead to type 2 diabetes in men. Therefore, it is important to monitor your weight and take steps, if necessary, to reduce it. If you are not sure how to manage your weight, then consult a nutritionist or doctor.
Check your blood sugar. Regular blood sugar checks will help you keep track of your health and detect any changes in it in a timely manner. In case of detecting elevated blood sugar levels, you should immediately consult a doctor and start treatment to prevent further deterioration of your health.
Regional Dermatovenerological Dispensary, Lipetsk
Any person can suffer to varying degrees from the consequences that excessive consumption of sweets causes, and not even notice what harm it causes to his organs, nervous and cardiovascular systems. That’s why we decided to explain why cutting out sugar is so important and to help you recognize the warning signs of hyperglycemia before serious complications arise, so that you can take appropriate measures in time.
What does high blood sugar mean
The clinical condition associated with an increase in blood sugar, or rather glucose, is called hyperglycemia and accompanies diabetes mellitus. This happens when the body can no longer maintain the proper level of glucose in the blood due to insufficient production of insulin or its complete cessation – then glucose does not enter the cells, but accumulates in the blood.
At the same time, not all symptoms of hyperglycemia manifest themselves with a minimal excess of blood sugar: sometimes this condition is hidden and can only manifest itself when it is very high, when it will be too late to take some measures. In addition, sensitivity to the effects of elevated glucose levels varies from person to person, and some may feel the symptoms of hyperglycemia much faster and more severely than others.
Hyperglycemia may be acute or chronic. Acute hyperglycemia does not last long, and is often the result of eating a high-carbohydrate meal, missing a dose of medication, stress, or illness. Chronic hyperglycemia, on the other hand, develops when elevated blood glucose levels persist for a long time. Often this is the result of undiagnosed diabetes, or failure to treat diabetes.
Signs of high glucose levels
In order to see a doctor in time, we advise you to check whether you are experiencing the following symptoms of hyperglycemia. And if they are not, we advise you to continue to think about your diet and understand: giving up sugar is not a fashionable trend in recent years, but an important step towards maintaining your health.
Excessive urination
Going to the toilet often for little need – these may be symptoms of high glucose. This condition is called polyuria and means increased urination – that is, here you should pay attention not to the fact of frequent urination, but also to an increase in the volume of urine released during this. This happens when the body tries to equalize the concentration of glucose in the blood with its concentration in the cells by diluting the blood with intracellular fluid, and this leads to kidney dysfunction and subsequent osmotic diuresis – the release of large amounts of urine and an increased urge to urinate.
Excessive thirst
The next symptom of hyperglycemia is constant thirst. In other words, the result of polyuria is polydipsia – an attempt by the body to replenish the amount of fluid, which leads to an increased desire to drink more. But people tend not to understand this relationship and believe that this increased urination is caused by excessive thirst, and not vice versa, and try to drink less, thinking that this will reduce trips to the toilet. Of course, this is not worth doing, because the main task is to give up sugar, that is, sweet drinks, but not from any liquid.
Constant hunger
Excessive hunger isn’t really caused by high sugar levels, but by low insulin levels. If it becomes insufficient to move glucose molecules from the bloodstream to the cells, where they are used as fuel for cellular processes, then a number of hormones begin to transmit hunger signals to the hypothalamus of the brain. That is, the body in any case does not receive proper energy and asks for food again and again.
Weight Loss
Suffering from hyperglycemia, a person may not understand why he needs to give up sugar if he is already losing weight. Indeed, this is what happens: the body switches to burning fat to support metabolism at the cellular level, plus increased urination and fluid loss leads to a decrease in body weight. Plus, with elevated sugar levels in the urine, there are a huge number of calories that you literally lose when you go to the toilet – this is how the body tries to get rid of excess glucose. Therefore, your inexplicable weight loss is not a miracle, but the sad symptoms of hyperglycemia.
Infectious diseases
Giving up sugar is also important because when it is overabundant in your body, a favorable environment is created for the reproduction and development of various pathogens, which increases your susceptibility to infectious diseases, and especially those associated with the genitourinary system. In addition, increased sugar slows down blood circulation, which in turn reduces the ability of white blood cells to quickly and in sufficient numbers get to where they are needed to fight infections.
Slow healing of wounds
Other symptoms of hyperglycemia that you may notice in yourself are the slow healing of various wounds and cuts. Especially in people with high sugar, purulent wounds do not heal well. Due to dehydration, the skin does not have time to fully recover, dries up and cracks, which leads to re-infection and suppuration, and in addition to this, blood circulation in such patients is disturbed, in particular in the legs, and skin cells receive less nutrients.
Impaired vision
The notorious dehydration of the body as a result of frequent and copious urination is also the cause of visual impairment, its blurriness. The fact is that, as we have already said, the body, trying to dilute the blood with a high concentration of sugar, draws out fluid – this process occurs throughout the body, even in the eye cells, which leads to the development of dry eye syndrome and a deterioration in the ability to correctly focus on objects .
Headaches and impaired concentration
These symptoms are observed in acute hyperglycemia. They are connected with the fact that the brain does not receive the fuel necessary for its full-fledged work – glucose, which it absorbs in the amount of 25% of its total amount entering our body. The lack of glucose affects thinking, the ability to reason, remember information, stay focused on certain tasks, and also leads to headaches.
Constant fatigue
When your blood glucose is too high, your body no longer uses the way it should, and your cells don’t get the fuel they need. As a result, we have the result – a decrease in physical energy at the cellular level. If you also sleep poorly due to frequent urination during the night, then in the morning you will feel even more tired and even exhausted. However, people make the mistake of trying to gain energy by eating high-carbohydrate snacks, which increase blood sugar and only worsen the problem.
Chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea
If you have frequent constipation or diarrhea, these can also be symptoms of hyperglycemia that accompanies diabetes, since glucose levels affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. When this influence falls on the large intestine, constipation often occurs, on the small intestine – diarrhea, and it often occurs at night. It just needs a rejection of sugar, strict control of carbohydrates and supervision by a doctor.
Excessive irritability
There are other symptoms of hyperglycemia that can easily be confused with something else – in particular, excessive irritability and moodiness. Sometimes high hyperglycemia even causes depression and makes it impossible to make decisions quickly, all the fault of sugar jumps in the circulatory system. Well, when some previous symptoms of hyperglycemia are added to your well-being, then anyone will become irritable and nervous.
What to do about it
The main reason we have described the symptoms of hyperglycemia is to give you an understanding of the dangers that high blood glucose levels bring.