The first signs of high sugar. Causes, symptoms and treatment of high blood sugar in women. How can insulin and blood sugar be elevated at the same time?

Glucose is the main source of energy in the body. It is formed under the action of enzymes from food obtained. The blood carries it to all cells of the body.

Impaired carbohydrate conversion, as well as the glucose delivery process, can lead to elevated blood glucose levels.

The conversion of carbohydrates into glucose is carried out by several biological processes; its content in the body is influenced by insulin and other hormones. In addition to diabetes, there may be other reasons for high blood sugar.

Blood indicator norms

Blood sugar level is not constant; its value is influenced by various factors. The normal level is 3.5-5.5 mmol/liter. Blood taken from a finger has a lower rate than venous blood.

The standard value for children is 2.8-4.4 mmol/liter.

The permitted limit is higher in older people, as well as in pregnant women. Blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day and depending on food intake. Some conditions of the body can lead to an increase in sugar levels (), there are diseases other than diabetes for which this is typical.

Physiological increase in sugar

Many factors can provoke an increase in glucose levels.

This can happen in a completely healthy person in the following cases:

With an unbalanced diet high in carbohydrates. In a healthy body, the increase in the indicator will be temporary, insulin will return everything to normal. If you are overly fond of sweets, you should think about the inevitability of obesity and the deterioration of blood vessels.
When taking certain medications. This includes non-selective beta blockers, some diuretics, and glucocorticoids.
Stress, excessive physical and mental stress lead to loss of immunity, disruption of hormone production and slowdown of metabolic processes. It is known that during anxiety and stress, the production of glucagon, an insulin antagonist, increases.
Insufficient physical activity (physical inactivity) causes metabolic disorders.
For severe pain, in particular with burns.

In women, increased blood sugar may also be associated with premenstrual syndrome. Alcohol consumption provokes hyperglycemia.

Video about the reasons for increased glycemic levels:

Pathological causes of increased blood glucose

Glucose obtained in the digestive organs not only enters the cells, but also accumulates in the liver and the cortex of the kidneys. If necessary, it is removed from the organs and enters the blood.

Regulation of glucose levels is carried out by the nervous, adrenal glands, and part of the brain - the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Therefore, it is difficult to answer the question of which organ is responsible for high sugar levels.

Failure of this entire complex mechanism can lead to pathology.

She is provoked by:

diseases of the digestive tract, in which carbohydrates are not broken down in the body, in particular, postoperative complications;
infectious lesions of various organs that disrupt metabolism;
liver damage (hepatitis and others), as a storage facility for glycogen;
disturbances in the absorption of glucose into cells from blood vessels;
inflammatory and other diseases of the pancreas, adrenal glands, brain;
hypothalamic injuries, including those received during medical procedures;
hormonal disorders.

A short-term increase in the indicator occurs during epileptic seizures, heart attack and angina pectoris. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, this does not always indicate diabetes.

Some people experience persistently elevated glucose levels. However, this value does not reach the figure at which diabetes is diagnosed. This condition is called (from 5.5 to 6.1 mmol/l).

This condition was previously classified as prediabetic. In 5% of cases it ends. People who are obese are usually at risk.

How can you tell if a person’s blood sugar is rising?

Increased number of urinations and amount of urine output.
Decreased vision.
Constant desire to drink, dry mouth. Need to drink even at night.
Nausea and headaches.
Significant increase in appetite and amount of food consumed. At the same time, body weight decreases, sometimes significantly.
Lethargy and drowsiness, constant weakness and bad mood.
Dry and flaky skin, slow healing of wounds and injuries, even the smallest ones. Wounds often fester and furunculosis may develop.

In women, when sugar levels rise, infectious lesions of the genital organs often develop, which are difficult to treat. Sometimes there is causeless itching in the vagina and mucous membranes. Men develop impotence.

A sharp increase in the indicator (up to 30 mmol/l) leads to a rapid deterioration of the condition. Convulsions, loss of orientation and reflexes are observed. Heart function deteriorates, normal breathing is impossible. It may come.

Patients often do not understand why their health deteriorates. Relatives are sometimes more noticeable about the changes occurring in a person.

Important: You need to monitor your blood sugar levels and get tested in a timely manner. This is especially important in the case of genetic predisposition.

How to differentiate the disease?

The causes and indicators of high blood glucose levels are determined by a laboratory test called (TSH). In the morning, on an empty stomach, blood is drawn to determine the indicator. After this, the person is injected with a glucose solution, and after 2 hours a repeat blood test is done.

Usually they just give you sweetened water to drink. Sometimes glucose is given intravenously. Testing is carried out in biochemical laboratories. It is also possible to conduct a test with a home glucometer.

Before the procedure, special preparation is necessary, since many factors of life and nutrition can distort the correct picture.

To obtain informative results you must:

take the test on an empty stomach, you cannot eat for 8-12 hours, no more than 14;
do not drink alcohol for several days, do not smoke before the study;
follow the recommended diet for a certain time;
avoid excessive stress and stress;
stop taking medications - hormones, sugar-burning drugs and others.

After taking glucose, you need to spend 2 hours at rest before the next blood draw. The study is not done if a simple blood test shows a sugar level of more than 7.0 mmol/l. A high result already indicates diabetes.

The study is not performed in case of acute somatic diseases and if it is necessary to constantly take certain medications, in particular, diuretics, glucocorticosteroids.

TSH results:

Disturbances in glucose metabolism also make it possible to determine the indicators of other compounds that will help to understand why the increase in sugar levels occurred:

amylin – regulates glucose levels together with insulin;
incretin – regulates the production of insulin;
glycohemoglobin - reflects glucose production over three months;
glucagon is a hormone that is an insulin antagonist.

The tolerance test is informative, but requires careful adherence to all rules of behavior before blood collection.

Ways to reduce the indicator

If diabetes is not diagnosed, it is necessary to identify the reasons for the increase in glucose levels. If the problem is caused by taking medications, the doctor must choose other means of treatment.

For diseases of the digestive tract, liver or hormonal disorders, therapy methods are being developed that, along with treating the underlying disease, will stabilize sugar and bring it back to normal. If it is impossible to reduce the indicator, insulin or sugar-burning agents are prescribed.

Ways to reduce sugar are a specially selected diet, physical activity and medications.

Diet

Developing a diet helps normalize blood composition, and sometimes completely get rid of the problem. Indicated to stabilize glucose. Meals are recommended in small portions 5-6 times a day. You shouldn't go hungry. The calorie content of foods must also be controlled.

You can eat lean meats, poultry and fish. Foods rich in fiber are beneficial. Alcohol must be excluded.

There are food groups that should be excluded from the menu, some should be consumed infrequently and with caution.

Prohibited:

sausages (all, including boiled sausages and frankfurters);
baked goods, cookies;
sweets, sugar, jams;
fatty types of meat, fish;
butter, cheese, fat cottage cheese.

You can consume it in moderation by reducing the portion by 2 times:

bread, loaves;
fruits, giving preference to sour ones;
pasta;
potato;
porridge.

Doctors recommend eating a lot of vegetables, fresh, boiled and steamed. As for cereals, you should avoid semolina and rice. The most useful one is . Almost anything can be used for cereals. However, you should not eat instant cereals or muesli; you should use only natural cereals.

Rich broths are contraindicated; it is better to eat vegetable broths. Lean meats and fish can be boiled separately and added to the soup. Despite many restrictions, you can eat varied.

Video about diet principles:

Physical training

Moderate exercise and enjoyable sports help improve metabolic processes in the body. It doesn't have to be intense training.

You should choose a method that is pleasant and not difficult:

walking;
swimming - in the summer in an open reservoir, at other times in the pool;
skiing, biking, boating - according to season and interest;
Swedish walking or running;
yoga.

Classes do not have to be intense, but must be regular. Duration – from half an hour to one and a half.

The selection of medications is carried out by a doctor if necessary.

Phytotherapy

Some plants, fruits and roots will help to successfully reduce sugar levels:

Place laurel leaves (10 pieces) in a thermos and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for 24 hours. Drink ¼ cup warm 4 times a day.
1 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped horseradish is poured with 200 ml of yogurt or kefir. Take a tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Boil 20 grams of walnut partitions in a glass of water for an hour over low heat. Take a tablespoon three times a day before meals. You can store the decoction for several days in the refrigerator.
Blueberry berries and leaves give a good effect. 2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water and left for an hour. Take ½ glass before meals.

It should be remembered that after the first cases of the appearance of pathology, you will have to constantly monitor your sugar levels. Visits to the doctor and laboratory should be regular. This indicator is important for determining the stability and correctness of metabolic processes in the body. A significant increase or decrease in glucose levels leads to serious consequences for the patient.

All carbohydrates that come from food are broken down into glucose. Subsequently, it is absorbed under the influence of insulin and provides the body with the necessary energy. In normal conditions, blood sugar levels range from 3.5–5.5 mmol/l. In men, this value can rise to 5.8 mmol/l.

In certain diseases, the pancreas stops producing insulin and glucose levels rise. This condition is called hyperglycemia and can lead to serious consequences.

Causes of high blood sugar

Blood glucose levels can fluctuate due to pathologies of internal organs and exposure to external factors.

Among somatic diseases, diabetes mellitus occupies the main place. Elevated blood sugar is the main symptom of this disease. Another pathology that leads to a constant increase in glucose is obesity. Chronic liver and kidney diseases can also cause high blood sugar levels.

Often a hereditary predisposition becomes a predisposing factor. If the patient has relatives with diabetes, he should regularly check his blood glucose levels.

High sugar levels can be caused by autoimmune diseases. The body begins to mistake its own cells for foreign ones, as a result of which the process of their destruction begins. First of all, this applies to the glandular tissues that make up the pancreas.

Another common cause of high blood sugar is acute circulatory disorders. The pathology affects the nutrition of all organs, including those that ensure the correct balance of all biochemical parameters.

A temporary increase in glucose levels can be triggered by a violation of the diet (consuming large amounts of sweets), severe psycho-emotional stress, severe pain, or taking certain medications (diuretics, glucocorticosteroids, oral contraceptives).

In women, high blood sugar is often diagnosed during pregnancy. During this period, hormones begin to be produced that provoke the release of glucose into the blood. But at the same time, they are antagonists of insulin, and it becomes insufficient to break down excess carbohydrates. Thus, gestational diabetes develops. Predisposing factors are excess body weight, genetic predisposition, late pregnancy.

High blood sugar can occur not only in adults, but also in children. In newborns, in the vast majority of cases, this is due to the intravenous administration of large doses of glucose. Elevated blood sugar is especially common in premature babies with low body weight. Another reason is the lack of the hormone responsible for the breakdown of proinsulin. In some cases, insulin resistance is observed.

In children of preschool and school age, high blood sugar is often associated with malnutrition, stress and chronic infectious diseases. Most often, after eliminating the possible causes, the glucose level returns to normal.

During the period of active growth of the child, endogenous counter-insulin hormones begin to be produced. They provoke a decrease in insulin synthesis, which causes periodic fluctuations in glucose levels.

Diabetes mellitus, the main cause of high blood sugar, is rare. At the same time, only type I diabetes is diagnosed in children - insulin-dependent.

If you have high blood sugar, your diet should include eggs, lean meat and fish, fermented milk products, rye bread, vegetables, rice, oatmeal and buckwheat.

Symptoms of high blood sugar

The main symptom of high blood sugar is extreme thirst and hunger. When glucose levels are high, the kidneys begin to work actively, leading to the removal of fluid and, as a result, dehydration of the body. In this case, there is frequent urination and constant thirst.

Hunger develops due to insufficiency of insulin, which processes carbohydrates into glucose. Due to increased appetite, weight gain begins. Therefore, sudden weight gain can also be a symptom of high blood sugar.

Due to frequent urination, pathogenic microflora begins to multiply in the genital area, resulting in severe itching of the genitals. With further development of the process, inflammation of the foreskin develops in men, and vulvovaginitis in women.

Itching is noted not only in the genital area. Patients suffering from high blood sugar complain of severe itching of the skin.

When glucose levels are high, electrolyte balance is disrupted. Due to frequent urination, essential microelements are washed away. This leads to cramps in the calf muscles and disruption of the cardiovascular system.

Another characteristic symptom of high blood sugar is prolonged healing of scratches and minor skin damage. This is especially dangerous if surgery is necessary. In people with high glucose levels, wounds take a very long time to heal, the risk of developing postoperative complications increases, and recovery of the body occurs slowly.

With elevated sugar levels, your overall health also worsens. Glucose is not absorbed, therefore, the energy required for the normal functioning of the body decreases. Patients begin to complain of loss of strength, weakness, and drowsiness.

Behavior also changes. Due to constant poor health and poorly healing wounds, irritability appears. Severe itching of the skin is provoked by insomnia, resulting in a feeling of chronic fatigue.

Consequences of high blood sugar

The main danger with high blood sugar is damage to the blood vessels that supply organs and tissues. The eyes, kidneys and limbs are primarily affected.

When the nutrition of the retina of the eye is disrupted, its detachment begins. Subsequently, optic nerve atrophy develops. In the absence of the necessary treatment, as well as in the case of severe diabetes mellitus, glaucoma is diagnosed. In some cases, complete blindness may develop.

With a high level of sugar in the blood, the vessels of the kidneys are injured and the integrity of their capillaries is compromised. Removing fluid from the body becomes difficult, swelling appears. In the case of a severe process, not only the body’s waste products, but also the proteins it needs, begin to be excreted in the urine, which can cause kidney failure.

When the vessels of the lower extremities are damaged, tissue nutrition is disrupted, which leads to the development of non-healing ulcers, and subsequently necrosis and gangrene. In severe cases, amputation of the limb is performed to prevent the spread of the pathological process to the entire body.

Treatment for high blood sugar

What to do if the examination reveals a high level of glucose in the blood is decided only by specialists. Endocrinologists treat diabetes mellitus.

Therapy for high blood sugar involves eliminating the cause of this condition. In most cases, after treatment of concomitant pathologies, the glucose value returns to normal.

If diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed, then for type I, insulin injections are prescribed, for type II - oral administration of glucose-lowering drugs.

A special diet is of great importance in correcting blood glucose levels. It includes the concept of a bread unit, which corresponds to 10 g of carbohydrates. There are special tables designed for diabetics. They describe the correspondence between main products and grain units.

Sweets, sugar, white bread and flour products, and certain cereals are excluded from the diet. In this case, the diet should be balanced and contain the necessary microelements and fatty acids. Fatty meat and fish, smoked foods, milk, sweet fruits and berries are prohibited.

It is advisable to eat in small portions. There should be 5-6 meals per day. This way carbohydrates are better absorbed, which has a positive effect on fluctuations in glucose levels.

With elevated sugar levels, your overall health also worsens. Glucose is not absorbed, therefore, the energy required for the normal functioning of the body decreases.

If you have high blood sugar, your diet should include eggs, lean meat and fish, fermented milk products, rye bread, vegetables, rice, oatmeal and buckwheat. As for fruits, it is recommended to give preference to green apples, blueberries, cranberries, quinces and lemons. For cooking, it is better to use flaxseed or rapeseed oil.

There is also a certain number of products containing a minimum amount of carbohydrates. They cannot lower blood sugar levels, but their consumption practically does not increase glucose levels. First of all, these are seafood - crabs, lobsters and lobsters. Soy cheeses, greens, mushrooms, nuts and legumes are considered low-glycemic.

Very often, people suffering from diabetes use sugar substitutes instead. Many endocrinologists categorically do not recommend doing this. Sweeteners are very high in calories and can cause an increase in glucose levels. It is better to completely replace sugar with permitted fruits.

Preventing high blood sugar

Glucose levels rise in the presence of predisposing factors and poor lifestyle. In order to avoid the development of a pathological condition, it is necessary to follow certain preventive measures.

If you are overweight, following a low-calorie diet is recommended, since obesity is one of the risk factors for high blood sugar.

Nutrition should be balanced, satisfying the body's need for micronutrients. Fast food, sweets, and carbonated drinks are completely excluded. Salt, sugar and animal fats are kept to a minimum. As for drinks, it is better to give preference to herbal teas and permitted juices.

A healthy lifestyle is of great importance. It is recommended to completely abandon bad habits. Smoking is often a trigger for high blood sugar.

Moderate physical activity is required. Swimming, walking, and performing simple exercises improves blood circulation, which improves nutrition of tissues and organs.

Following these simple rules will help you avoid increasing blood glucose levels and maintain your health for a long time.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Glucose is involved in the construction of the main polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose), and therefore is the most important substance. It is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and immediately enters tissue cells, undergoing oxidation.

Adenosine triphosphoric acid is its derivative, the main supplier of energy, which provides 50% of the needs of the body of a waking person. Glucose is especially necessary for the brain, which is capable of producing it independently.

Low levels of the substance (less than 3.1 mmol/l) are life-threatening. An increase in concentration is also fraught with consequences: being an osmotic active substance, glucose removes water into the blood, and the kidneys begin to quickly get rid of it.

Therefore, it is necessary to be able to recognize the signs that indicate an excess of the substance.

What are the reasons for increased sugar levels?

There are two sources of sugar entering the blood:

From carbohydrate-containing foods, which a person consumes, is partially utilized by cells, the main part is deposited in the form of glycogen in the liver;
From the liver- “depot” of sugar, kidneys.

Controls the process of glucose release from the “depot” and its absorption by cells:

Pancreas;
Neuroendocrine regulation system centered in the hypothalamic-pituitary system;
Adrenal glands.

If a malfunction occurs in these areas, high sugar levels in adults and children are recorded.

Deviations of indicators from the norm are also observed in other cases:

The predominance of foods rich in simple carbohydrates in the diet;
Lack of physical activity or insufficient amount of it;
Alcohol abuse;
Violation of the intracellular supply of glucose from capillaries due to various pathologies;
Taking certain medications - diuretics, contraceptives;
Frequent stress, nervous system disorders;
In women - premenstrual syndrome.

It is often believed that high glucose levels only accompany diabetes mellitus. But that's not true.

During pregnancy, sugar levels can also increase due to hormonal changes. and increased activity of the pancreas, which cannot cope with its assigned functions. Then gestational diabetes develops, which requires treatment.

Risk factors in this case are:

Belonging to certain ethnic groups - Latin American, Negroid, Asian, Native American;
High sugar content in urine;
Hereditary factor;
Large fruit weighing from 4 kg;
Previous stillborn child;
Similar diagnosis in a previous pregnancy;
Copious amount of amniotic fluid.

The level sometimes increases rapidly. In diabetic patients, this occurs because insulin is unable to recognize glucose.

In healthy people, a sharp increase in sugar levels can provoke:

An increase in sugar volume is observed in certain groups, who suffer from diseases of internal organs:

Pancreas;
Liver;
Endocrine system (regulation of the body through hormones).

How does high sugar manifest itself?

Based on a number of symptoms, a person may suspect that he or she has impaired glucose concentration.

High levels of the substance are indicated:

Constant feeling of thirst (polydipsia). Glucose attracts water, and as its concentration increases, the liquid is removed more quickly. Therefore, the body strives to consume more moisture.
Frequent urination, sometimes up to 3 liters per day (polyuria). This happens because the body is trying to get rid of excess glucose. With diabetes, the nerve endings that control the tone of the bladder are damaged, sometimes enuresis (bedwetting) occurs.
Arterial hypertension(diabetes patients are diagnosed 2 times more often than other people). There are two forms - hypertension and hypertension associated with diabetic nephropathy. This is caused by glucose binding to water molecules and causing high blood pressure because excess fluid is not removed from the blood in time.
Dry mouth. This and the above symptoms are aggravated if there is a lot of glucose in the urine - from 10 mmol/l.
Weight loss. Occurs in type 1 diabetes mellitus, when there is an absolute lack of insulin production. Glucose does not enter the cell, leading to energy starvation and weight loss.
Weight gain. Occurs in type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is also characterized by an increase in glucose concentration. The reasons for gaining extra pounds lie in the malfunction of the receptors responsible for binding insulin, produced in sufficient quantities or in excess.

If your blood sugar level is elevated, it affects not only your well-being, but also the condition of your skin.

Then the following symptoms are observed:

Increased appetite (polyphagia);
Dry mucous membranes and skin due to loss of moisture;
Infections - pyoderma (pustular rashes), candidiasis (fungal infection), especially at the injection site;
Diffuse hair loss;
Hyperkeratosis - increased formation of calluses and corns;
Trophic ulcers requiring treatment in the “diabetic foot” office.

In addition, other symptoms may occur:

Headache, dizziness;
Increased fatigue, weakness;
Loss of performance;
Deterioration of visual function.

Manifestations also depend on gender:

Women experience vaginal itching;
In men, inflammation of the foreskin and sexual dysfunction are observed.

Such phenomena are a consequence of frequent urination. Then pathogenic microorganisms multiply on the genitals.

The blood supply to the mucous membranes is disrupted due to angiopathy (damage to blood vessels), which is fraught with a decrease in the amount of incoming nutrients.

The integrity of the skin is compromised, causing inflammatory reactions and fungal infections.

With high sugar in pregnant women the following symptoms appear:

Most of the symptoms are normal during pregnancy. Therefore, a woman should be under the constant supervision of a doctor and undergo tests on time to prevent a sharp deterioration in her health.

Video

How is glucose level determined?

The amount of sugar in the blood is determined by analysis, which is done on an empty stomach. If the result exceeds 5.5 mmol/l, then a repeat test is prescribed.

Glucose tolerance test:

And they are also doing other research.:

On the level of glycosylated hemoglobin- allows you to find out whether there have been jumps in sugar levels in the last three months;
For excess glucose in urine;
For acetone in urine, which is a sign of complications and ketoacidosis (severe disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism).

If a person notices the first signs of increased sugar, then you need to consult a doctor for a detailed examination of the body. Severe deviations can be fatal.

High glucose levels are a signal of an approaching disease - diabetes. It is important for each of us to know the signs of high blood sugar in order to begin treatment on time and prevent serious complications of the disease.

Normal sugar level

The normal blood glucose level for people of any age ranges from 3.3 mmol/l to 5.5 mmol/l. If the level is from 5.5 to 6 mmol/l, then we are talking about prediabetes. If the glucose level is 6.1 mmol/l or higher, then a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made.

How is the examination carried out?

Diagnostics is carried out using the express method or in the laboratory using special equipment. In the first method, blood is taken on an empty stomach using a finger prick glucometer. In this case, the result is less accurate and is considered preliminary. This device is good to use at home for constant sugar control. If a deviation from the normal value is detected, the analysis is repeated in the laboratory. Blood is usually drawn from a vein. The diagnosis of “diabetes mellitus” is made if, after donating blood twice on different days, the result shows an excess of the norm. About 90% of all registered patients suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Signs of High Glucose Levels

In general, the symptoms of diabetes are similar for most patients, although they may differ depending on age and duration of the disease. As a rule, the first signs of high sugar are as follows:

Dry mouth is one of the classic manifestations of diabetes.
Polydipsia and polyuria. Extreme thirst and passing a large volume of urine are the most typical symptoms of high sugar levels. Thirst is the body's signal to replenish lost water to avoid dehydration. The kidneys, in turn, filter the excess glucose, releasing an increased amount of urine.
Fatigue and weakness. Sugar does not reach the cells, remaining in the blood, so muscle tissue lacks energy to be active.
Poor healing of scratches, wounds, abrasions, cuts. It is important to avoid breaks in the skin as they are prone to infection, which creates further problems.
Increase or decrease in body weight.
Characteristic signs of diabetes are skin diseases and genital infections that cause itching. This may be furunculosis, candidiasis, colpitis, inflammation of the urinary tract and urethra.
Body odor of acetone. This manifestation is typical for very high sugar levels. This is a signal of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition.

One of the most characteristic signs of high sugar is constant extreme thirst.

Later, the patient develops the following symptoms of high sugar:

Maculopathy and diabetic retinopathy are eye diseases characterized by blurred vision. Retinopathy, which affects the blood vessels in the eyes, is the leading cause of blindness in adults with diabetes.
Bleeding gums, loose teeth.
Decreased sensitivity in the extremities: tingling, numbness, goosebumps, changes in pain and temperature sensitivity on the hands and feet.
Digestive problems: diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, fecal incontinence, difficulty swallowing.
Swelling of the extremities as a result of retention and accumulation of fluid in the body. Such signs more often appear when diabetes is combined with arterial hypertension.
Manifestations of high sugar include chronic renal failure, protein in the urine and other kidney disorders.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Erectile dysfunction, frequent urinary tract infections.
Decreased intelligence and memory.

With a slight increase in sugar, signs may be mild or absent. Often, patients suffering from type 2 diabetes have no complaints and are not aware of their condition. The diagnosis may be made accidentally, during examination or treatment for another reason.

Why do blood glucose levels increase?

The reasons for high sugar levels are varied. The most common of them is diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2. In addition to this, you can name a few more:

stressful situations;
the presence in the diet of foods with fast, that is, easily digestible carbohydrates;
severe infectious diseases.

Eating with high sugar

If you have high blood sugar, you need to eat a balanced diet.

Diet for high blood glucose is an important component of treatment. It is necessary to follow the basic principles of nutrition:

eat regularly, in small portions, 5-6 times a day, at the same hours;
drink at least 1-2 liters of liquid per day;
products must include all substances necessary for life;
you need food rich in fiber;
vegetables should be eaten daily;
avoid salty foods;
give up alcoholic drinks.

You should eat foods that do not increase blood glucose levels and are non-caloric. Among them:

lean dietary meat;
lean fish;
dairy products;
buckwheat, rice, oatmeal;
Rye bread;
eggs (no more than two per day);
peas, beans;
vegetables: eggplants, red and green peppers, radishes, cabbage, radishes, onions, herbs, garlic, celery, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, green peas;
fruits and berries: apples, pears, blueberries, cranberries, rowan berries, lingonberries, quince, lemons.

Preference should be given to fats of vegetable origin, sugar should be replaced with honey and sweeteners. Food is best steamed, baked, stewed and boiled.

Foods you shouldn't eat

If you have high blood sugar, you should avoid foods such as:

flour, butter and confectionery products: cakes, pastries, candies, ice cream, pies, jam, sweet carbonated drinks, pasta, sugar;
fatty meat and fish, sausages, smoked meats, lard, canned food;
dairy products: full-fat cheese, cream, sour cream, full-fat cottage cheese;
mayonnaise;
sweet fruits and dried fruits: figs, grapes, raisins.

Conclusion

Doctors do not consider diabetes mellitus a death sentence, despite the fact that it is an incurable disease. If you detect early signs of high blood sugar, you can immediately begin to correct your condition and learn to live with it. This will avoid or significantly delay the development of severe complications and consequences such as blindness, gangrene, amputation of the lower extremities, and nephropathy.

The materials are published for informational purposes only and are not a prescription for treatment! We recommend that you consult a hematologist at your medical institution!

An increase in blood sugar is medically called hyperglycemia. This problem is quite serious and can affect everyone. Its symptoms and causes of development should be known in order to recognize the development of pathology in time.

The composition of the blood reflects the state of human health. One of the indicators is glucose level. The situation is quite serious if it is detected. We will consider the reasons, how to treat this problem, and methods of prevention in more detail.

General characteristics

Blood glucose levels are not the same throughout the day. Highest sugar — in the afternoon, 1-2 hours after eating. If its level exceeds 3.5-5.5 mmol/l on an empty stomach or 7.5 mmol/l after eating, a person has high blood sugar. What this means and how serious the situation is can only be found out from a doctor.

Reasons for the increase

A pathological increase in glucose is often associated with impaired insulin production. It is responsible for processing sugars and transporting them into cells to be converted into energy.

The main cause of hyperglycemia is lack of insulin

Predisposing factors can be identified that explain why a person’s sugar levels have increased:

pancreatic diseases (pancreatitis, oncology);
pituitary tumor;
hyperthyroidism;
frequent stress;
taking medications;
frequent consumption of alcohol and sugary drinks;
overeating, especially sweets and baked goods, fast food;
smoking;
suffering serious injuries;
gastrointestinal pathologies;
frequent severe infectious diseases;
hereditary factor.

Important: the causes of increased blood sugar in women may be associated with taking hormonal medications, including birth control pills. The menstrual cycle and pregnancy also have an impact.

Some people are interested in why glucose levels rise at night and in the morning. This is due to the production of hormones that make it difficult to produce insulin. For diabetics, this phenomenon is quite dangerous.

Symptoms of manifestation

It’s easy enough to recognize the problem if you know what signs indicate high blood sugar. Symptoms in men and women are almost the same:

dry mouth and constant thirst;
headache;
prostration;
polyuria;
cardiac arrhythmia;
skin itching and peeling;
unstable respiratory rhythm;
nausea;
pungent acetone odor from the mouth;
blurred vision;
numbness of the limbs;
deterioration of the body's reparative ability.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia - check yourself

If you notice at least 3-4 symptoms, you should definitely go to the hospital to check your glucose levels in your body.

Changes in body functions

Since certain disorders cause high blood sugar, symptoms in an adult have an explanation. Glucose attracts water, and therefore, when it is in excess, the body experiences dehydration, which is expressed in itching, dry mucous membranes and constant thirst. A large amount of water does not compensate for it, but only leads to polyuria.

Since the available insulin does not have time to process glucose, symptoms of high blood sugar such as fatigue and headaches occur. To compensate for the lack of energy, fats and muscle fibers are processed, so the patient may begin to lose weight, and ketone metabolic products cause the smell of acetone.

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Due to energy starvation, cells become unable to quickly repair damaged tissue, which is where non-healing ulcers appear on the skin. Also, high blood sugar can distort a person’s hormonal levels, causing menstrual irregularities in women and problems with potency in men.

Further consequences of hyperglycemia are expressed in the development of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. If the glucose level exceeds 11.5 mmol/l, hyperglycemic coma develops, which can become irreversible and lead to the death of the patient.

Treatment and prevention

If you are prone to fluctuations in glucose levels, it makes sense to purchase a home glucometer. For diabetics, this device is a must.

You should immediately consult a doctor as soon as you notice an increase in blood sugar. Symptoms and treatment are clarified by a specialist. Additionally, the following analyzes are performed:

standard blood or plasma test for sugar;
glucose tolerance test;
blood test for glycated hemoglobin.

Further methods of reducing indicators are selected on an individual basis.

First aid and therapy

People suffering from diabetes find it very difficult in everyday life. At any moment, the glucose level can become critical. In this case, first aid should be to lower its level below 11.5 mmol/l.

A special insulin injection will quickly help lower blood sugar. Additionally, the patient must be provided with plenty of fluids. It is best to use still mineral water with the addition of soda. This will help normalize water balance and remove toxins from the body.

People with hyperglycemia are prescribed medications to lower blood sugar. In case of diabetes, insulin injection is mandatory. Without a dose of insulin, the body is not able to process sugar normally, and a person may fall into a coma. Vitamins are also prescribed to support a weakened body.

Diet

A prerequisite is compliance with the diet. The menu should consist of foods with a low glycemic index.

Important: it is worth considering that the method of preparation and the combination of different products can also change the glycemic index.

You need to exclude foods that significantly increase blood sugar from your diet. What causes glucose to rise:

sugar and sweeteners;
sweets;
flour products, especially baked goods;
cheeses;
pickles and marinades;
lard and fatty meat;
smoked meats and sausages;
potato;
rich soups;
semi-finished products;
fast food;
sweet sodas and packaged juices.

Create a daily menu from the following products:

green tea;
low-fat milk;
eggs in moderation;
chicken;
liver;
Fish and seafood;
beans;
lentils;
buckwheat;
salads and spinach;
mushrooms;
vegetables;
citrus;
fruits in moderation, except bananas and grapes.

Since it is difficult to quickly lower blood sugar without medications, such a diet should be maintained for at least a month. In the future, you need to protect yourself from harmful foods and control your glucose levels.

Folk remedies

In folk medicine, there are also many ways to lower blood sugar. Mostly the recipes are based on the use of herbal infusions. Some plants are able to stimulate the production of insulin and remove excess glucose, as well as have a symptomatic effect on the body. You can buy a similar mixture at any pharmacy or prepare it yourself.

Herbal teas - a means for the treatment and prevention of hyperglycemia

What lowers blood sugar:

blueberry;
dandelion root;
oats;
horseradish;
Walnut;
lemon;
rice straw;
wheat;
bean pods;
lilac.

Decoctions are drunk in courses of 2-4 weeks with breaks or used in small doses as a prophylactic against hyperglycemia. Since treating high blood sugar exclusively with home methods is ineffective, you need to combine them with therapy prescribed by your doctor.

The role of physical activity

Moderate physical activity effectively accelerates metabolic processes in the body and stimulates the processing of sugar. To eliminate excess glucose, it is recommended to do morning exercises daily. Hiking, jogging, yoga, skiing, Nordic walking, etc. will also help reduce sugar levels.

Table: Effect of physical activity on sugar levels

Sports and proper nutrition are not only methods of treating hyperglycemia, but also excellent prevention, not only of this problem, but also of many other diseases.