Do you have high blood sugar? Let's talk about hyperglycemia!

If you have diabetes, you've probably heard the phrase "high blood sugar" all the time. You've probably heard that it's happened to a friend or relative of yours. Simply put, this is what medical science calls hyperglycemia. It means that the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood increases too much. This happens because your body doesn't produce the hormone insulin properly or can't use the insulin it produces properly. So today, let's talk about this in a little more depth, in a way that everyone can understand.

What exactly is hyperglycemia?

Think about it, the cells in our body are like little engines. These engines need energy, or fuel, to work. This fuel is glucose, which we get from the food we eat, especially from foods that contain carbohydrates. But this glucose can't go directly into the cells. It needs help from a hormone called insulin. Insulin is like a key that opens the door to the cell.

A person with diabetes has a problem with this key (insulin). Either there are not enough keys (Type 1 diabetes), or even if there are keys, they do not fit the door lock properly (insulin resistance, which occurs in Type 2 diabetes). What happens then? The glucose that accumulates in the blood cannot enter the cells and accumulates in the blood. This increase in blood sugar levels is called hyperglycemia.

There are two main ways to do this:

What are the causes of high blood sugar levels?

There are various reasons why a person with diabetes may have high blood sugar levels.

• Forgetting or skipping your prescribed insulin or diabetes pills on time .
• Eating foods that contain more carbohydrates (starch) than the amount of insulin you need. For example, eating too much rice, bread, or potatoes.
• An infection in the body.
• Any other illness or condition (e.g. cold, flu).
• Increased stress .
• Lack of physical activity or not exercising regularly.
• Sometimes, engaging in too much strenuous exercise (especially when blood sugar is already high and insulin levels are low) can also be a cause.

Can people without diabetes have high blood sugar?

Yes, even people without diabetes can sometimes experience hyperglycemia.

• Cushing's syndrome: This is a rare condition that occurs when the body has high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time.
• Diseases of the pancreas: If there is a disease of the pancreas that produces insulin (pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer), insulin production may be disrupted.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This condition, which is common in women, is characterized by insulin resistance.
• Certain medications: Certain medications, such as steroids, can also temporarily increase blood sugar levels.

What are the symptoms of high blood sugar?

The symptoms of hyperglycemia can vary in the early stages and as the condition progresses. It is important to recognize these.

Emergency: Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Simply put, when cells can't get glucose, the body starts burning fat for energy. This process produces chemicals called "ketones." When these ketones accumulate in the blood, the blood becomes acidic. This is very dangerous.

Symptoms of DKA condition:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe dehydration
• Stomach ache
• Difficulty breathing
• A fruity smell on the breath
• Heart palpitations
• Confusion and loss of consciousness (coma)

If you or someone you know has these symptoms, you should immediately go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). This is a medical emergency.

How do we control and prevent this situation?

If you have diabetes and are experiencing the early symptoms mentioned above, first check your blood sugar levels. Then talk to your doctor. He or she may give you advice like this:

1. Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps flush out excess sugar from the body through urine. It can also prevent dehydration.

2. Exercise: Exercise can help lower blood sugar levels. But here 's a very important thing. When your blood sugar levels are already high and you have ketones in your urine (especially in Type 1 diabetes), exercising can make things worse. So be sure to consult your doctor about how to exercise.

3. Change your eating habits: You may need to change the amount and type of carbohydrates in your diet. You can seek advice from a dietitian for this.

4. Changing Medications: Never change the type, dosage, or timing of your medications without first consulting your doctor. If necessary, your doctor will make the changes themselves.

The best thing to do is to prevent this condition from occurring. This requires following your diabetes management plan exactly.

• Take the medications prescribed by the doctor on time.
• Follow the prescribed meal plan.
• Exercise regularly.
• Check your blood sugar levels regularly.
• It is very important to wear medical identification so that others know that you are diabetic in the event of an emergency.