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By Debra A. Sokol-McKay, MS, CDE, OTR/L, SCLV What Is Hyperglycemia? What Is Hypoglycemia? In relation to diabetes, hyperglycemia refers to chronically high blood glucose levels. Most medical professionals define hyperglycemia by using the blood glucose goals that you and your physician have established and combining those goals with the blood glucose target ranges set by the American Diabetes Association. It’s important to understand that you’ll probably experience high blood glucose levels from time to time, despite your best efforts at control. As with any chronic disease, talk with your physician and diabetes care team if the pattern of your blood glucose readings is consistently higher or lower than your blood glucose goals. Complications from HyperglycemiaPersistent hyperglycemia can cause a wide range of chronic complications that affect almost every system in your body. When large blood vessels are affected, it can lead to:
Joseph Monks: Writer, Producer, and Film DirectorJoseph Monks, who has diabetic retinopathy, creates and produces films for his production company Sight Unseen Pictures. He is also the first blind filmmaker to direct a feature film. Says Joe, “I’m not uncomfortable with the term ‘blind.’ I’m not thrilled about it, of course, but it’s accurate. The lights went out for me in early 2002 as a result of diabetic retinopathy—the death of my retinas. It is what it is, so when it happened, I decided that I wasn’t going to let it put an end to my career. As you can imagine, I’m glad I didn’t want to be a pilot!” Learn more about the wide range of artistic and cultural activities you can continue to pursue with low vision and blindness:
Severe Complications from HyperglycemiaVery 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. Physical signs and symptoms of DKA include:
Reducing the Risk Factors for ComplicationsYou can reduce your risk factors for complications related to hyperglycemia by doing the following:
What Is Hypoglycemia?Hypoglycemia refers to dangerously low blood glucose levels that drop below 70 mg/dL. Significant hypoglycemia is considered below 54 mg/dL. It is an acute complication of diabetes and occurs in individuals who use insulin or specific kinds of oral diabetes medication. If you use oral diabetes medications, ask your physician or diabetes educator whether hypoglycemia should be a concern.Symptoms of HypoglycemiaSymptoms of hypoglycemia include the following:
Treating HypoglycemiaTo treat hypoglycemia, you must immediately:
Complications from HypoglycemiaIf hypoglycemia is not treated immediately, it can result in:
Ways to Manage HypoglycemiaOther tips for managing hypoglycemia include:
What are the three classic signs of hyperglycemia?Hyperglycemia usually doesn't cause symptoms until blood sugar (glucose) levels are high — above 180 to 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).. Frequent urination.. Increased thirst.. Blurred vision.. Feeling weak or unusually tired.. What are the signs & symptoms for hypoglycemia?Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). sweating.. feeling tired.. dizziness.. feeling hungry.. tingling lips.. feeling shaky or trembling.. a fast or pounding heartbeat (palpitations). becoming easily irritated, tearful, anxious or moody.. How can you tell the difference between high and low sugar?by Drugs.com. Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar and is usually defined as a blood sugar less than 70 mg/dL.. Hyperglycemia means high blood sugar and is usually defined as blood sugar greater than 125 mg/dL in a person who has not eaten in the last eight hours or more than 180 mg/dL in someone who ate two hours ago.. |