Too much food, particularly food containing high levels of carbohydrates especially those with fast carbs. Although most people with diabetes cannot avoid some high glucose levels, it is important to try to keep them at a minimum for two main reasons. First, prolonged, or persistent, hyperglycemia can lead to major health complications caused by damage to blood vessels and nerves, which can affect your eyes, heart, kidneys, and other organs.
Second, mainly in type 1 diabetes but also in some people with type 2 diabetes , significant and persistent hyperglycemia indicates you missed one or more doses of insulin or that the doses of insulin you took were insufficient to meet the needs of your body; if this persists, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis DKA , or high levels of ketones in your blood. Hypoglycemia is usually caused by too much insulin or insulin effect in the body.
Here are some reasons why hypoglycemia might occur:. Hypoglycemia can be quite dangerous, and in extreme cases it can cause you to become confused or even to lose consciousness when there is not enough glucose for the brain to adequately function.
Most people with diabetes are able to recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia as their glucose levels are trending low before severe hypoglycemia occurs.
These warning signs are due to the release of other body hormones mainly the hormone adrenaline that alerts you to oncoming hypoglycemia. Several factors can increase the risk of being unaware of hypoglycemic episodes including having repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, going low while sleeping, exercise, consuming alcohol, having specific diabetes complications like neuropathy , or taking certain prescription drugs.
Because hypoglycemia unawareness more often occurs in those who were diagnosed with diabetes decades before, in addition to the risk factors mentioned, is more commonly occurs in people over the age of Effective diabetes management is an attempt to stay in the target glucose range.
For most people with diabetes, these are the recommended TIR goals If you have gestational diabetes, are pregnant and you have type 1 diabetes, or are elderly or high-risk, your TIR goals may differ :. While it can sometimes be easy to recognize signs and tell the difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, at other times it can be hard to tell them apart because of some overlap.
For example, confusion and headaches can occur in both cases. Try to be aware of any symptoms you experience that can help you differentiate between the two conditions. And talk to your care team to see if getting a CGM is something that could benefit you. CGM is a great tool to help you know when you are too high or too low. Though not everyone experiences all of these symptoms every time, and it may take time to learn to recognize these symptoms quickly, here is what can occur with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia:.
The purpose of diabetes management is to regulate high and low glucose levels when they occur. If you are on insulin, you may need to take a correction dose if your glucose level is too high, after discussing with your health care team.
Exercise — for example, you can go on a walk to bring your glucose levels down. Be sure to check your glucose level prior to exercising. Make sure that you stick to your medication regimen. Talk to your healthcare professional if this regimen is not keeping your glucose in range. Have an emergency hypoglycemia kit that is easily accessible and with you at all times.
Make sure people you are with know what to do in a hypoglycemic emergency. Very high blood glucose levels can also lead to the following acute, life-threatening conditions, both of which require immediate medical attention:. Diabetic Ketoacidosis DKA occurs most frequently in persons with type 1 diabetes.
DKA results from dehydration during a state of relative insulin deficiency, associated with high blood glucose levels and organic acids called ketones. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome or HHNS occurs most frequently in older adults with type 2 diabetes, especially residents of long-term care facilities.
It occurs in people whose diabetes is not controlled properly and is usually brought on by an illness or infection. Contact your physician if you note any of the above symptoms. Your physician will decide if this is a mild case that can be treated at home or a moderate to severe case that requires hospitalization. Once the insulin has done its job, our blood sugar drops again, leaving us feeling cranky and drained. Our body craves more sugar to give it a temporary boost and the cycle continues.
In the long run, the highs and lows of this sugar cycle, coupled with increased consumption of sweet treats can lead to :. Hypoglycemia occurs when there is not enough glucose in your blood.
Your brain needs glucose to function properly, so left untreated, low levels of blood sugar can lead to severe confusion and disorientation, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, even death.
The first step in treatment is usually the consumption of a fast-acting carbohydrate , to supply sugar to the body and fast. This can be candy, fruit juice, a soft drink, or glucose tablets or gel. In severe circumstances, if a person has become unconscious, someone else may have to administer a glucagon injection. Consult with your doctor to find out what options are available to you. Unlike hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia too much sugar in your blood usually occurs slowly , over the course of several hours or days.
It can be brought on by illness, infection, certain medications, too much food, not enough insulin or exercise, or plain old stress. Due to its slow onset, recognizing hyperglycemia can be difficult. Symptoms may include :. Left untreated, hyperglycemia can cause long-term complications , including problems in the extremities hands and feet , bone and joint problems, nerve damage, blindness, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease.
Long-term, your health care professional may recommend a combination of the following :. If you suffer from hypo- or hyperglycemia, or any other complications of diabetes, and require medical equipment to help treat and alleviate symptoms, Wound Care Solutions can help. We offer a variety of equipment and products to keep you comfortable on your road back to health.
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