What happens when blood sugar goes up?
As humans, we are highly dependent on glucose as our primary source of fuel. However, when there’s too much of it in the bloodstream, things can start getting out of hand pretty quickly. From feeling tired and sluggish to experiencing more severe symptoms like numbness or even seizures, high blood sugar is no laughing matter.
Let’s Get Technical: Understanding High Blood Sugar
Before diving into the various ways that blood sugar affects us, it’s important to understand what exactly we’re talking about here. Glucose is a type of sugar that’s produced naturally by our bodies from the foods we eat. When there’s an excess amount of glucose present in your bloodstream – which happens when you consume a carbohydrate-rich meal – your body responds by releasing insulin to bring levels back down to normal.
Fun Fact: Insulin was first discovered 100 years ago this year!
However, for those with diabetes or other metabolic conditions (as well as anyone who consumes excessive amounts of sugary beverages and processed foods), this process doesn’t always work smoothly.
Hyperglycemia vs Hypoglycemia
One key distinction worth noting is that there are actually two types of disruptions in blood sugar regulation: hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
While both can be disruptive and potentially dangerous to health depending on how extreme they get, we’ll mainly focus on high levels for now.
The Rollercoaster Ride: Symptoms Of High Blood Glucose
Here’s where things start getting interesting (read: uncomfortable). If you’ve ever had a “sugar crash” after indulging in cake or candy one too many times – you know how big these crashes can be! A sudden spike up and then drop-down feels like going over hills.. UP YOU GO!!!!!! …to come crashing back down…
But with high blood sugar, the ride up is longer and can someday too much. Here are some ways high glucose levels can impact our bodies:
The obvious:
- Thirsts like crazy;
- Peeing all the time;
- Hunger you’ve never known before;
Less Obvious Ones
- Fatigue that’s impossible to shake;
- Headaches;
- Lack of focus e glibber jabber by this point
- Wait, what was I saying again? Oh right – symptoms!
Impact On Organs And Systems (Those Cantankerous Critters!)
If left unaddressed (hint: it’s important not to ignore these symptoms!), consistently elevated blood sugar levels end up causing long-term damages to various organs such as kidney failures, neuropathies etc.. Thus we will categorize them for better understanding.
Pancreas: Insulin Resistance & Diabetes
The pancreas is a crucially key system in regulating glucose level in body. One side effect of chronic exposure to high circulating levels of insulin (“hyperinsulinemia”) from overconsumption or other causes–such as insulin resistance caused on existing diabetes or prediabetes conditions.
Diabetes happens when there’s either insufficient production having a lazy pancreas ?? OR nonresponsiveness to insulin created leading unchecked fluctuating sugar compositions which follow us wherever they go including our eyes through retinopathy via retina damaging leading blindness!
#### Blood Veins Arteries – Damages Of High-Impact Sugar Spikes!
Blood vessels take quite a load from excessive amount of transient (>1 hour) poor control spikes(>160mg/dL). This also increases risks for cardiovascular diseases which include artery blockage resulting heart attack risk increase!
Kidney Failure & Diabetic Nephropathy
High amounts inflow not only make life tough for glomerulonephrons(small filters responsible cleaning ) but also cause Diabetic nephropathy effects.
Vision Complications: Glaucoma & Retinopathy
Ease of blood flow is one reason that high glucose levels can lead to problems in our eyes. This applies to two conditions most commonly noticed like glaucoma and retinopathy.
The Diagnosis : Getting Blood Sugar Levels Checked Regularly
While every person’s unique physiology means the signs may not be uniform, those with diabetes or prediabetes are at a higher risk for symptoms related to high blood sugar and developing complications.. Thus keeping tab on sugars becomes significant especially for them!.
Testing Methods:
Most common methods used to determine blood glucose levels include
– Finger Pokes,: which checks using glucometer;
– A1C Tests – gives average 3 months; more cumbersome;
Each of these tests provides different information – finger poke sucrose readings indicates current within minute-to-minute spikes whereas hemoglobin A1c shows the average level over upto last three months.
Longer we ignore minor symptoms the likeliness it gets worse therefore early diagnosis and prevention based approach by changing lifestyle/being made aware avoiding foods detrimental important!
Here are some ways that doctors typically diagnose high glucose levels:
Physical exams;
Urine samples;
Fasting Blood Sugars ;
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test;
Once You Know Your Blood Sugar Is High…
If your doctor has advised you that you tested positive for hyperglycemia (aka “elevated” or “high” blood sugar), there’s no need Be cool cucumber!. Here’s what steps can take ya know, besides running around panicking like a chicken with its head cut off.
Hydrating Smartly
Helping yourself out by drinking water will make you feel better! But remember pure water instead sugary beverages( aka soda/juice) whose primary job is solely worsening situation.
Exercising Smartly
Exercises make us feel excitable! But besides building muscles, physical activity also helps regulating blood sugar levels by lower down force exerted on pancreas. Moreover, increasing insulin sensitivity improves the process!
Adjusting Diet Elegantly
Foods you eat play a big role in blood sugar control… obviously 🙂 . Carbs tend to cause more significant spikes compared with proteins or fats thus replacing refined grains/ high sugary content eats like sugary candies etc with complex grains/high protein is a good way to prevent sudden glucose dips and dives.
Wrapping It Up – Takeaway
High blood sugar symptoms may seem pretty broad at first glance no!! they definitely are NOT “pretty” especially for those dealing w diabetes types of, but there’s some value in having this basic knowledge handy both as an early warning system and daily technique improvement!.
From making lifestyle changes such as healthier food & fluid choice; getting enough physical activity – our bodies can experience truly remarkable improvements in terms of maintaining regulated glucose level.
Remember: Your Body Is A Beautiful Mechanism That Deserves Care And Maintenance
Take care beautiful body who reads this !!!!!!