High and Low Blood Sugar Issues

Blood sugar concentrations or blood glucose levels are the amount of sugar or glucose present in your blood stream. Your body naturally regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels as a part your body”s metabolic processes. Glucose or sugar is the primary energy mechanism for cells and blood lipids. Glucose or blood sugar is transported from your intestines or liver to the cells in your body via the bloodstream. The absorption of glucose is promoted by insulin or the hormone produced in the pancreas.

If your sugar levels are not balanced you may have high or low blood sugar issues. Low sugar issues are hypoglycemia and high blood sugar indicates that you have hyperglycemia or hyperglycemia symptoms.  High or low blood sugar levels cause different problems. Low blood sugar levels can cause dementia, comas or death. High blood sugar is a major cause of damage to your body”s internal organs.

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia indicates the level of glucose in your blood has dramatically dropped below what your body need to function. When your blood sugar drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter symptom will develop.

  • You may feel tired and anxious or weak and shaky. Your heart rate may be rapid and you feel as if you are having a heart attack. Eating something sugary will bring your sugar levels back to normal almost immediately and symptoms will subside.
  • Sugar levels that are below 40 mg/dL cause you to have behavior changes. You may feel very irritable and become weak and confused. You may not realize you need to eat to raise your blood sugar levels.
  • Blood sugar levels below 20 mg/dL will most certainly cause a loss of consciousness or perhaps you will experience seizures. You will need medical care immediately.  

Hypoglycemia symptoms happen very quickly. If you are susceptible to low blood sugars watch if you are feeling, nervous or anxious. Profuse sweating, chills or clamminess, irritability or impatience that is abnormal, confusing and possible delirium. Watch for rapid heartbeats, dizziness and hunger plus nausea. If you are sleepy or have tingling in your lips or experience headaches plus lack of coordination treat your hypoglycemia immediately.

Eat 15-20 grams of glucose supplements or carbohydrates immediately. Recheck your blood glucose levels after 15 minutes. If your blood sugar levels are still too low, repeat the glucose. You can also try 4 ounces or juice or regular soda, a tablespoon of sugar, honey or corn syrup, 8 ounces of nonfat milk or such on hard candies.

Check your blood sugar levels often with a glucose monitor after you have taken the steps necessary to raise the levels.   Keep taking medication if you are under a doctor”s care, eating and resting. If you continually have episodes of low blood sugar levels, you will need to visit your doctor.

High Blood Sugar

Hyperglycemia or high blood glucose is a problem if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic. Your body has too little insulin or is unable to use insulin properly.   Check your blood sugar often if you are diagnosed with hyperglycemia. Frequent urination, increased thirst or feeling just plan ” “down”  and you are diabetic, do contact your doctor. Other diseases can cause hyperglycemia include pancreatitis, Cushing”s syndrome tumors on the pancreas or pancreatic cancer, severe illnesses or certain types of medications.

Complications that are directly related to hyperglycemia include frequent headaches, tiredness, blurred vision and trouble concentrating. Severely elevated blood sugar levels will result in diabetic comas that can occur I type 1 and type 2 diabetics. If you are hyperglycemic for long periods of time, organs and tissues will become damaged. Additional complications include poor wound healing, nerve damage, vision issues, and blood and kidney impairment. Diabetics with high blood sugar levels may also find that they have gum and teeth issues.

Lowering your blood sugar levels is not difficult. Begin by exercising and eating right. Do note that if your blood glucose level is above 240 mg/dL you need to check your urine for ketones. If you find that ketones are present in your urine, avoid exercising. Ketones in your blood may cause your higher blood sugar levels. Work with your doctor to solve high blood sugar levels.

Watching what you eat will also help with high blood sugar levels. Avoid foods that contain sugar producing elements. Diet, exercise and definitely take your prescribed medications. Losing weigh will help with high blood sugar levels, but lose weight under the direction of a dietitian or doctor.

Blood sugar levels that cannot be managed may be treated by a combination of oral and injectable medications including insulin.  Treating underlying medical conditions may prevent sugar levels from rising.

Normal blood sugar levels should be between 100 mg/dL an d125 mg/dL.   If your sugar levels are significantly higher than these ranges, take measures to lower these levels though diet, exercise, and medications.

If you do not treat hyperglycemia you may experience ketoacidosis or a diabetic coma.

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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