1/06/2009

Diagnosis: High Blood Sugar Level

High Blood Sugar LevelMany people do not have symptoms, even when their blood-sugar level is extremely high. High blood sugar can be diagnosed only with blood test.If you have high blood sugar you should be good informed. Read this article and you will probably learn something about high blood sugar...

High Blood Sugar Level



Many people do not have symptoms, even when their blood-sugar level is extremely high. High blood sugar can be diagnosed only with blood test. If you have high blood sugar you should be good informed. Read this article and you will probably learn something about high blood sugar level.



When you eat, after digestion, sugars, and other foods are changed into glucose and distributed throughout the body. When glucose level in blood raises it cause release of a hormone called insulin. Insulin allows glucose to leave the blood and enter body cells. Glucose is used for energy or stored for future use. In diabetes the body either produces no insulin or too little insulin or cannot use the insulin. The unused glucose collects in the blood. This leads to high blood-sugar levels.




High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is caused by too little insulin or the body's inability to use the insulin properly. Diabetes type I (insulin- dependent) and Diabetes type II are common causes of high blood sugar levels. Other causes of hyperglycemia include eating too much, exercising too little, being ill, or having other physical or emotional stress. Symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and nausea. Hyperglycemia can progress to ketoacidosis, or diabetic coma. In ketoacidosis, the body starts using fat for energy. Ketoacidosis develops when your body does not have enough insulin. The body starts using fat for energy. Ketones, which are toxic, build up in the blood. You should know that ketoacidosis develops only in people with type I diabetes.





It can happen after missing only a few doses of insulin. Ketoacidosis needs immediate attention.



Symptoms



Many people do not have symptoms. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include extreme thirst, frequent urination, and high levels of sugar in the urine, dry skin, hunger, blurred vision, drowsiness, and nausea.
The only way you to know that your blood sugar is either too high or low is to test your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor will tell you how often you should test yourself and what your blood-sugar levels should be. If the results of your blood-sugar test indicate that your blood-sugar level is high, treat yourself immediately. It is better to treat yourself than to wait!




Treatment



You can often lower your blood-sugar level by exercising. If your blood-sugar level is high, check your urine for ketones. Do not exercise if ketones are present in the urine or you may raise your blood-sugar level even higher. Diet modifications could also help. If exercise and dietary modifications do not help, you may either need to change the dose of medication or insulin or need to adjust its timing. The trick is learning to detect and treat hyperglycemia early and before it can get worse.



Diabetes



The two most common causes of high blood sugar level are types of diabetes type I or type II. In type I diabetes the pancreas either stops making insulin or does not make enough. The person must receive daily insulin. Diabetes type I occur at any age. It most often occurs in children and young adults. Symptoms of type I diabetes usually occur suddenly. Most common symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, dramatic weight loss, irritability, weakness and fatigue, and nausea and vomiting.



Type II diabetes allows some production of insulin, but the body is unable to use it effectively. This disease most often occurs in adults. Symptoms of type II diabetes may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, weight loss, irritability, weakness and fatigue, and nausea and vomiting. They usually occur less suddenly and may be unnoticed or ignored. Other symptoms of type II include recurring or hard-to-heal infections, drowsiness, blurred vision (especially infections of the skin, gums, or bladder), tingling or numbness of the hands and feet, and itching.




Cause of diabetes is unknown. It isn%26rsquo;t contagious. Your risk factor is higher when you are overweight. Excess fat prevents insulin from working properly. Type I diabetes cannot be prevented. Type II diabetes can often be prevented. You should have a normal body weight and by staying physically fit if you want to prevent disease.



If your high blood sugar is caused with type I diabetes, you will have daily injections of insulin at set times. You should exercise regularly. Also, you should eat well-balanced meals that limit sugar, fat, and salt. Your individualized meal plan should include three meals and two or three snacks a day at set times to properly balance insulin.



If your high blood sugar is caused with type II diabetes and are overweight, you will first need to lose weight. You will also follow an individualized meal plan. You should restrict sugar intake, and follow an exercise plan. If diet and exercise are not enough to control blood sugar, pills or tablets may help the body produce more insulin or use that insulin more effectively. Daily insulin injections may also be needed.






Blood-sugar test



The blood-sugar level test takes two forms, a blood test and a urine test. The blood test is most recommended by doctors because it can tell the exact amount of blood sugar at any given moment. The blood test involves pricking a finger for a drop of blood. People with type I diabetes often test their sugar levels, before and after they eat, between 2 and 4 times a day. People with type II may test themselves less often.




Complications



The three most common emergency complications for people with diabetes are hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and ketoacidosis. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is more common in people whose diabetes is treated by injection. It can occur suddenly if you delayed a meal or ate too little, if you have had extra exercise, or if you have taken too much medication. Some people become pale, get headaches, or act strangely. Symptoms include feeling cold, sweaty, nervous, shaky, weak, or extremely hungry. You should treat low blood sugar quickly with some form of sugar; otherwise it can lead to unconsciousness. If unconsciousness occurs, glucagon must be injected to raise the blood-sugar level. When glucagon is not available, an emergency medical call should be made or the person should be taken to the nearest emergency room. If you take insulin or have ever passed out because of low blood sugar, inform your doctor, who will probably prescribe a glucagon emergency kit for you to carry with you at all times.



Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, occurs when you eat too much or take insufficient medication. It can also be a response to illness or emotional stress. Most common symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and nausea. There are usually large amounts of sugar in the urine and blood.



Ketoacidosis, or diabetic coma is most serious complications of type I diabetes. The ketoacidosis occurs when insulin and blood sugar are so out of balance that ketones accumulate in the blood. Ketoacidosis takes several hours or days to develop so it can usually be avoided if brought under control at the first signs of high blood sugar or ketones in the urine. Most common symptoms include dry mouth, excessive thirst, loss of appetite, excessive urination, dry and flushed skin, labored breathing, and fruity-smelling breath. Vomiting, abdominal pain, and unconsciousness may also occur. If your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dL, test for ketones. If you have ketones in your urine, call your doctor immediately.
You should control blood-sugar levels, to prevent these complications.



If you have diabetes , keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible is very important.Keeping blood glucose in your target range can help prevent or delay the start of diabetes complications, such as: nerve, foot infections with gangrene, eye, kidney, or blood vessel damage.