What Does High Glucose Mean?

High glucose, or hyperglycemia, occurs when too much sugar is in the blood. This condition is often a sign of diabetes, where the body either produces too little insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycemia is a common issue for individuals with diabetes. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, including damage to nerves, blood vessels, tissues, and organs.

Severe hyperglycemia can result in a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), especially in people with diabetes who take insulin or those with undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes. DKA requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious consequences.

Managing blood sugar levels is essential for people with diabetes to avoid the long-term effects of hyperglycemia and maintain overall health.

High Blood Sugar Signs

Recognizing the signs of high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is crucial for managing and preventing complications. Hyperglycemia can develop gradually, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Typically, hyperglycemia does not cause symptoms until blood sugar levels are significantly elevated—above 180 to 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Symptoms of hyperglycemia gradually appear over several days or weeks. The severity of symptoms tends to increase the longer blood sugar levels remain elevated. However, some people with long-term type 2 diabetes may not show any symptoms despite having high blood sugar levels.

Early Signs and Symptoms

• Increased Thirst (Polydipsia): Feeling excessively thirsty even after drinking water.
• Frequent Urination (Polyuria): Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night.
• Increased Hunger (Polyphagia): Experiencing an unusually high appetite and always feeling hungry.
• Headache: Persistent headaches that do not go away with typical treatments.
• Blurred Vision: Difficulty seeing clearly, which can fluctuate throughout the day.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired and weak without a clear cause.

Symptoms of Long-Term Hyperglycemia

• Weight Loss: Unintended weight loss despite normal or increased appetite.
• Vaginal Yeast Infections: Frequent yeast infections in women.
• Skin Infections: Increased occurrence of skin infections that are slow to heal.
• Slow-Healing Cuts and Sores: Wounds that take longer to heal than usual.

Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly is important, especially if you are on insulin or other diabetes medications. Early detection of hyperglycemia symptoms can prevent the condition from worsening and leading to severe complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication resulting from untreated hyperglycemia. Symptoms to watch for include nausea and vomiting, which can make you feel sick, and dehydration. You may also experience abdominal pain and discomfort. One distinctive sign is fruity-smelling breath and deep labored breathing, known as Kussmaul breathing. An unusually fast pulse rate or rapid heartbeat is another symptom. Additionally, DKA can cause confusion and disorientation, potentially progressing to loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention is crucial if you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms, as early intervention can prevent serious outcomes, including coma or death.

What Causes Your Sugar to Be High?

High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, occurs when there is an excessive amount of glucose in the bloodstream. This typically results from problems with insulin production or utilization in the body. Understanding the causes can help manage and prevent this condition effectively.

The Role of Digestion and Glucose

When you consume carbohydrates in foods such as bread, rice, and pasta, your body breaks them down into sugar molecules, including glucose. Glucose is a primary energy source for the body. After eating, glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, but it requires insulin—a hormone produced by the pancreas—to enter the cells and provide energy.

Insulin’s Function

Insulin acts like a key, unlocking cells so glucose can enter and be used for energy. When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to help transport glucose into cells. Any excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles, helping to lower blood glucose levels and prevent them from becoming dangerously high.

Diabetes and Its Impact on Blood Sugar

In diabetes, this regulatory process is disrupted:

• Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in little to no insulin production.
• Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA): Similar to Type 1, LADA is an autoimmune condition but develops more slowly.
• Type 2 Diabetes: The body becomes resistant to insulin, or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Both conditions build up glucose in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia.

Factors Contributing to High Blood Sugar

Several factors can cause or worsen high blood sugar levels:

1. Insufficient Insulin: Autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) can lead to insufficient insulin production. In these conditions, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin. Additionally, issues with diabetes medications, such as not taking enough insulin, using expired insulin, or improper injection techniques, can also contribute to high blood sugar levels.
2. Hormonal Imbalances: Certain hormonal imbalances can contribute to high blood sugar levels. Conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome, which involves excess cortisol production, can lead to insulin resistance and high blood sugar. Similarly, acromegaly, characterized by overproduction of growth hormone, can cause hyperglycemia. Due to hormonal changes, pregnancy can also result in gestational diabetes.
3. Medications: Certain medications can increase blood sugar levels. Corticosteroids are known to raise blood glucose levels. Some blood pressure and psychiatric medications can induce temporary or long-term insulin resistance.
4. Pancreatic Disorders: Pancreatic disorders can significantly affect insulin production and lead to hyperglycemia. Chronic pancreatitis, which involves prolonged inflammation of the pancreas, can damage insulin-producing cells. Pancreatic cancer can also affect insulin production. Further, cystic fibrosis can cause scarring in the pancreas, reducing insulin production and leading to cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). These conditions hinder the pancreas’s ability to produce sufficient insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and requiring careful management to prevent complications associated with hyperglycemia.

Temporary Causes of High Blood Glucose Levels

Certain temporary factors can also elevate blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetics.

• Acute Physical Stress: Experiencing physical stress, such as from an illness, injury, or surgery, can cause a temporary rise in blood sugar levels. The body responds to these stressors by releasing hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, which increase blood glucose levels to provide extra energy for the body’s response.
• Emotional Issues: Stress, such as trauma or significant life changes, can also lead to elevated blood sugar. During high stress, the body releases stress hormones that can raise blood glucose levels, similar to the response during physical stress.

Managing blood sugar levels effectively involves understanding and addressing these various factors. By recognizing the causes of high blood sugar, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain healthy glucose levels through medication, diet, exercise, and regular monitoring. This approach helps prevent complications associated with hyperglycemia and promotes overall well-being.

Complications of High Blood Glucose Levels

Prolonged hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels and tissues throughout the body, leading to numerous complications. These include retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), neuropathy (nerve damage), bone and joint issues, gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), cardiovascular disease, stroke, dental infections, and feet problems due to nerve damage or poor blood flow, which can result in severe skin infections, ulcers, and in extreme cases, amputation.

What Do I Do If My Blood Sugar Is High?

Managing high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is essential to prevent complications and maintain overall health. If you notice elevated blood sugar levels, there are several steps you can take to address the issue effectively.

1. Reflect on Recent Changes: Reflect on recent changes in your diet, exercise habits, treatment plan, or personal life. Ask yourself if you’ve eaten more carbohydrates than usual, missed doses of medication, or experienced any stress or illness. Understanding the factors contributing to high blood sugar can help you make necessary adjustments.
2. Monitor Blood Sugar Trends: Keeping a detailed record of your blood sugar readings can help identify patterns and trends. By tracking your results over several days and at different times, you can pinpoint what might be causing spikes and drops. Use a blood glucose log or another method of note-taking that you prefer. Based on your findings, you can make informed changes, such as adjusting your carbohydrate intake, increasing physical activity, or consulting your healthcare provider about modifying your medication.
3. Regular Testing: You should check your levels multiple times daily. Testing at different times—before and after meals, before bedtime, in the middle of the night, or before, during, and after exercise—can provide valuable insights into how well your medication works and which foods affect your sugar levels. Consistent monitoring helps you understand the overall pattern of your blood sugar levels rather than focusing on a single reading.
4. Stress Management: Stress can trigger high blood sugar. Relaxing and reducing stress is essential for managing blood glucose levels. Stress and anxiety can lead to overeating, missing medications, or getting less sleep. Engage in activities that help you relax, such as exercise, hobbies, or reading.
5. Manage Your Carb Intake and Eat More Fiber: Carbohydrate management is crucial in controlling blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which can raise blood sugar. Opt for complex carbohydrates and high-fiber foods, as fiber slows the absorption of sugar and helps improve blood sugar levels. Foods rich in fiber include vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
6. Implement Portion Control: Controlling portion sizes can help manage blood sugar levels by preventing overeating and ensuring balanced meals. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can also help maintain steady blood sugar levels.
7. Drink More Water: Staying hydrated is important for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Drinking water helps the kidneys flush out excess glucose through urine, reducing blood sugar levels. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
8. Choose Low-Glycemic Foods: Low-glycemic index (GI) foods cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels than high-GI foods. Choosing low-GI foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes can help manage blood sugar levels more effectively.
9. Get Enough Quality Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for overall health and blood sugar management. Poor sleep can affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to help regulate blood sugar.
10. Manage Your Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is important for managing diabetes and blood sugar levels. Weight loss, if necessary, can improve insulin sensitivity and help control blood sugar levels. Combining a balanced diet with regular physical activity can support weight management efforts.
11. Consult Your Healthcare Provider: If you’ve been diligently managing your blood sugar levels but still experience high readings, it may be time to consult your healthcare provider. They can review your overall health, conduct additional tests, and potentially adjust your treatment plan. Your healthcare provider can help determine if a different approach is needed to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

A Word From Viasox

High blood sugar levels can seriously impact your feet, leading to neuropathy, ulcers, and a higher risk of infections. Proper care and the right socks can make a big difference in managing these issues. At Viasox, we offer EasyStretch™ diabetic socks and compression socks designed to cushion and protect your feet, whether at home or on the go.

Our socks are made from antibacterial, moisture-wicking fabric, protecting against microbes and infections. With seamless toes to reduce irritation and padded soles for extra support, our socks ensure your feet stay comfortable and healthy.

Viasox socks are available in a variety of fun patterns, colors, and lengths, so you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. Explore our collection today to find the perfect pair, and feel free to reach out with any questions. We’re here to help keep your feet happy and healthy.