What do elevated glucose levels mean

Many people with diabetes must check their blood sugar levels daily with a glucose meter. This device takes a drop of blood, usually from a finger, and displays the sugar level within a few seconds. People with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin as their doctor recommends, usually several times a day. Those with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes may need to change their diet and exercise habits. They may also need to take oral medications or insulin. A number of strategies can help prevent hyperglycemia.

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia , can happen when a person:. It can also be a side effect of diabetes medicines. Taking too much insulin can result in low blood sugar levels. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include :. A person can treat hypoglycemia rapidly by drinking a fruit juice or eating a glucose tablet, sugar lump, or candy.

Anyone who has frequent episodes of low blood sugar should speak to a doctor. They may recommend changing the type of dose of medication.

Anyone who experiences tiredness , increased thirst, frequent urination, or weight loss should see a doctor, as these could indicate diabetes or another health problem.

The U. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that adults age 40 to 70 years who are overweight have tests for diabetes. Those with a family history of diabetes or other risk factors may need earlier or more frequent tests. When a person has diabetes, their health and well-being depend on proper management of blood sugar levels.

These strategies can help a person with diabetes to manage blood sugar, and this may slow the progression of diabetes. The person should also carry a medical ID with them, especially if they use insulin, as this can provide important information in case of an emergency. Find out here about the differences and…. A person with diabetes must monitor the carbohydrate and sugar in their diet.

Apples contain carbs and sugar, but they also provide fiber, making them…. Diet is important for managing diabetes. Eating the wrong foods can trigger an imbalance in blood sugar. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart or…. Maltodextrin is a powder that manufacturers add to many foods to improve their texture, taste, or shelf-life. The FDA consider it safe, but it can…. It can be hard to tell the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Learn about how to recognize diabetes and its effects in children and….

How does high blood sugar hyperglycemia feel? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Symptoms Causes Healthy blood sugar Low blood sugar When to see a doctor We include products we think are useful for our readers. Share on Pinterest High blood sugar can cause headache and fatigue. Your diabetes health care team will let you know what your target blood sugar levels are. All three need to be balanced. If any one of these is off, blood sugar levels can be too.

In general, higher than normal blood glucose levels can be caused by:. A single high blood sugar reading usually isn't cause for alarm — it happens to everyone with diabetes from time to time. But if you have high blood sugar levels a lot, let your parents and your diabetes health care team know.

Insulin or meal plans may need adjusting, or you may have an equipment issue, like an insulin pump that isn't working right.

Whatever the case, make sure you get help so you can get your blood sugar levels back under control. Treating high blood sugar levels involves fixing what caused them in the first place. Your diabetes health care team will give you specific advice on how to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. But here are some ways to manage the common causes of high blood sugar levels:.

Don't worry too much if you get a high blood sugar reading occasionally. But if you have consistently high blood sugar levels, you should talk to your doctor about it. When the body doesn't have enough insulin, glucose stays in the blood and can't get into the body's cells to be used for energy.

This can happen, for example, when someone skips doses of insulin or when the need for insulin suddenly increases like when a person is sick with the flu and the doses are not adjusted. When the body can't use glucose for fuel, it starts to use fat.

When this happens, chemicals called ketones are released into the blood. Some of these ketones, like extra glucose, pass out of the body through the urine.

High levels of ketones in the blood can be a problem because they cause the blood to become acidic. Too much acid in the blood throws off the body's chemical balance and causes the symptoms listed below. DKA is a very serious condition that can lead to coma or death if it's not treated. The good news, though, is that it's preventable and can be treated. DKA happens more often in people with type 1 diabetes, but can sometimes also happen to those with type 2 diabetes.

The symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis usually don't develop all at once — they usually come on slowly over several hours. People who have DKA may:. These symptoms are caused by the high blood sugar levels that usually happen before someone develops DKA. If the person doesn't get treatment, these signs of DKA can happen:. How do you know if you have DKA? Because the signs and symptoms of DKA can seem like the flu, it's important to check blood sugar levels and urine or blood ketones when you're sick or if you think you're having symptoms of DKA.

Because high levels of ketones appear in the urine as well as the blood , ketones can be checked at home by testing a sample of your pee. If the urine test for ketones is negative, it usually means your symptoms are not due to DKA. Let your doctor know if your glucose levels are consistently high. This could mean you need to take regular medication or make other changes to your diabetes treatment plan.

Working with your doctor to get your glucose levels under control is important. Consistently high levels can lead to serious complications, like diabetic neuropathy or kidney failure.

Irregular eating patterns can cause spikes and dips in your blood glucose and make it difficult to stabilize. Include healthy carbohydrates, fiber-rich foods, and lean proteins in your diet. Healthy carbohydrates include:. Manage the amount of healthy carbohydrates you eat at meals and snacks.

Add protein and fat to slow digestion and avoid blood sugar spikes. Limit foods high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium.

Instead, eat healthy fats, which are important to a balanced diet. They include:. Limit your consumption of processed foods. They often digest quickly and spike blood sugar levels. These foods can be high in:. Cook healthy foods in bulk and then store them in single serving size containers in the refrigerator or freezer. In addition to eating healthy foods, remember to include regular exercise in your daily routine.

Then start slowly and work your way up to more vigorous routines. Monitoring your blood glucose levels is an important step in managing your diabetes. Knowing your numbers will also help inform your doctor about changes you may need to make to your treatment plan.

Following a healthy and balanced diet, exercising, and taking medicines as prescribed should help you to maintain normal glucose levels. Talk to your doctor if you need help coming up with a diet or exercise plan, or if you are unclear about how to take medications. A blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. This simple test involves giving a small sample of blood. Read on to find out what….

Glucose, or blood sugar, is key to keeping the body in top shape. Read on to learn how it works, how to test it, and what to do if you have abnormal…. Find out everything you need to know about diabetes here. Get information on type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

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