What is Blood Sugar/High Blood Sugar

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia, which is abnormally high levels of

sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream, so everyone with type 1 and type 2 diabetes has
experienced hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body is not properly
processing or using glucose, which is the case when insulin levels are low or
nonexistent, and normally the excess amounts of glucose in the body is converted to
glucogon or fat and stored for later use. Catabolic hormones such as glucagon,
growth hormone, catecholamines, thyroxine and somatostatin, will increase blood
sugar levels, but only insulin, which is an anabolic hormone, will decrease blood
glucose levels. Since insulin is responsible for maintaining safe and healthy blood
sugar levels in your body, if it is no longer present or not being produced in
sufficient quantities, excess glucose will remain in your bloodstream. The excess
glucose in your blood, if allowed to continually increase without treatment, will
not only eventually cause serious complications, it can even kill you!

Normal range blood sugar levels

The standard unit for measuring blood glucose levels around the world is millimoles
per liter (mmol/L), but in the U.S. blood glucose levels are measured in milligrams
per deciliter (mg/dL). Blood sugar levels are usually at their lowest in the
morning and are commonly known as "fasting blood sugar levels" and should be tested
first thing upon waking, before breakfast. In people without diabetes the normal
range of blood glucose levels eight to twelve hours after their last meal is
between 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.8 to 5.5 mmol/L). Glucose levels rise by a few grams
after meals for about an hour or two, so it is usually tested two hours after the
end of the meal. In those without diabetes, the normal blood sugar levels after a
meal is usually between 135 to 140 mg/dL (7.5 to 7.8 mmol/L). Keeping blood sugar
levels under control is the cornerstone of preventing complications of diabetes and
fortunately technology has produced a wide range of very accurate and convenient
blood glucose meters, making it safe and easy to test your blood glucose level.

What happens when blood sugar gets too high?

As listed in the "Effects of Diabetes" section of this web site, high glucose
levels if left untreated for long periods of time can cause serious complications,
most noticeably to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves among others. In the short term
high blood glucose will not cause any damage to your organs, however they will
cause you to feel fatigued, unusually thirsty, urinate quite frequently, make you
more susceptible to infections and cause blurred vision. Listed below are some of
what could happen when blood glucose reaches certain levels.

1. Blood glucose above 180 to 200 mg/dL (10 to 11 mmol/L) will exceed the capacity
of the kidneys to reabsorb glucose and they will begin to the pass the excess
glucose into the urine, creating a condition known as "glycosuria" ( the presence
of sugar in urine ).

2. Because type 1 diabetics are prone to a condition known as "Diabetic

ketoacidosis" they should test their urine for "ketones" when or if their blood
glucose level rises above 240 mg/dL (13.2 mmol/L). Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs
almost exclusively among type 1 diabetics and is a very serious condition in which
excessively high blood sugar levels, along with a lack of insulin, force the body
to break down fat for energy. Diabetic ketoacidosis produces increased levels of
toxic acids in the blood called ketones, which if not treated right away can lead
to coma or even death.

3. Sustained blood glucose levels around the 400 to 500 mg/dL (22 to 27.5 mmol/L)
has been associated with some alteration in mental function. If left untreated for
a long time, mental changes can be seen as well.

4. A condition known as diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome occurs if blood glucose

levels are allowed to rise above 600 mg/dL (33 mmol/L). This is when your blood
glucose has reached such a high level that it becomes thick and syrupy. A filtering
process is triggered when the excess glucose passes from your blood to your urine,
drawing extreme amounts of fluid from your body. Life-threatening dehydration can
occur if prompt medical attention is not obtained.

5. Any sustained glucose levels 600 mg/dL (33 mmol/L) and above should only be
found in people who are unaware that they are experiencing hyperglycemia. At such
high levels of blood glucose, a person that is not diagnosed and treated or
diabetics that are not properly following treatment and allow their glucose levels
to reach this point, run the risk of diabetic coma or even death.

Symptoms for Hyperglycemia include:

� Fatigue or drowsiness
� Frequent urination
� Unexplained weight loss
� Blurry vision
� Excessive hunger and thirst
� Dry mouth and skin
� Wounds or infections that heal slower than normal

Some causes of Hyperglycemia include:

� Excessive amounts of food
� Missing or skipping insulin doses/diabetic medication
� Insufficient doses of insulin/diabetic medication
� Illness
� Stress (Stress can cause blood glucose levels to rise)
� Too little or no exercise
� Insulin resistance - A condition where the body becomes resistant to the actions
of insulin (Generally found in Type 2 Diabetics)

Hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia can be life threatening, so people with diabetes must

maintain a consistent schedule of monitoring their blood glucose levels to insure
that they can manage them within tolerable levels. However even with close
monitoring, blood glucose could sometimes temporarily reach levels of 300 mg/dL
(16.5 mmol/L) or more in diabetics, so testing their blood glucose levels at
regular intervals is very important.