Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is common in people with diabetes. If left untreated, chronic high blood sugar can lead to complications of diabetes, such as nerve damage, eye disease, and kidney damage. High blood sugar usually means you have diabetes, and people with diabetes will experience frequent episodes of high blood sugar. If you don't treat hyperglycemia for a long time, it can damage your nerves, blood vessels, tissues, and organs.
How common is high blood sugar?
High blood sugar and diabetes are very common—about 1 in 10 people in the United States have diabetes. High blood sugar episodes are also common in people with diabetes.
What are the complications of high blood sugar? (Source: https://tinyurl.com/yckyk2je)
Long-term (chronic) high blood sugar over many years can damage the blood vessels and tissues in your body. This can lead to a variety of complications, including:
▸Retinopathy.
▸Kidney disease.
▸Neuropathy.
▸Gastroparesis.
▸Heart disease.
▸Stroke.
How is hyperglycemia treated?
▸If you take insulin to control your diabetes, insulin injections are the main way to treat high blood sugar episodes. Everyone needs a different insulin dose. You and your healthcare provider will determine which dose is best for you to treat and prevent high blood sugar. Dietary changes and an exercise program can also help control blood sugar to prevent hyperglycemia.
▸For people with type 2 diabetes who don't need insulin injections, lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet and exercise, and oral diabetes medications can help control high blood sugar. You and your doctor will determine the best plan for you.
How can I prevent high blood sugar episodes?
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to completely prevent high blood sugar when you have diabetes. But you can adjust your diabetes management plan to minimize the number of high blood sugar episodes you experience.
This is easiest to do when you and your healthcare provider understand what causes your blood sugar to rise. Give your healthcare provider as much information as possible about any high blood sugar episodes. Solving the problem may be as simple as changing the times you take your medications, eat, and exercise.
The following steps can help prevent high blood sugar:
▸ Take all medications as prescribed.
▸ Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about diet and exercise.
▸ Check your blood sugar regularly.
Chronic high blood sugar can lead to serious complications that are often irreversible. Multiple studies have shown that untreated chronic high blood sugar can shorten lifespan and reduce quality of life.
It’s important to know that people with diabetes can live healthy lives. Here are the keys to a better prognosis:
▸ Make lifestyle changes.
▸ Exercise regularly.
▸ Make dietary changes.
▸ Monitor blood sugar regularly, especially for those who take insulin.
Hyperglycemia is common in people with diabetes. Regularly monitoring blood sugar and seeing a diabetes healthcare provider regularly can help you properly manage diabetes and hyperglycemia. It’s important to remember that high blood sugar doesn’t have to be chronic. Know that there are things you can do to prevent it. If you feel overwhelmed with diabetes management, talk to your healthcare provider. Together, you can develop a plan to get closer to your management goals.
