Blood sugar or glucose is the main energy source of the body. It powers the brain, heart, muscles, organs, and cells of the whole body. It is derived from the digestion of foods that contain carbohydrates. Upon absorption to the bloodstream, glucose travels throughout the body to be absorbed by individual cells. The hormone insulin facilitates glucose absorption to the cells. Inadequate amount or decreased sensitivity of the body to insulin results to a condition called hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.
Hyperglycemia is the main indication of diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder in which there is no control of blood sugar through inadequate insulin production (type 1 diabetes) or decreased sensitivity to insulin (type 2 diabetes). If left unmanaged, hyperglycemia can lead to nerve and organ damage, kidney failure, blindness, and loss of limbs.[ad#co-1]
What Is Considered High Blood Sugar?
The normal blood sugar for healthy individuals ranges from 70 to 100 mg of glucose per deciliter of blood (70-100 mg/dL). There are two specific types of hyperglycemia:
Fasting hyperglycemia – Defined as blood sugar level greater than 90-130 mg/dL after at least eight hours of fasting. It indicates that the body is having trouble processing glucose.
Postprandial or post-meal hyperglycemia – Defined as blood sugar level greater than 180 mg/dL after a meal.
What are the Signs of High Blood Sugar?
The signs of high blood sugar include thirst, dry mouth, hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, and blurred vision. Among diabetics, the condition called ketoacidosis can occur. It is the buildup of ketone in the blood. In search for energy source, the body is forced to use muscle protein to generate energy; ketones are produced as by-products. Too much ketone in the blood is toxic and fatal.[ad#afterpost]