High Blood Sugar
Herbal Ayurvedic Remedies for High Blood Sugar
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What is high blood sugar?
High blood sugar also known as hyperglycemia refers to the condition when the body cannot make enough insulin or
cannot respond to insulin or process it adequately. The body's cells need glucose to provide energy. In the absence of insulin,
glucose cannot enter the cells and remains in the blood causing sugar levels to go up. High levels of blood sugar over time
cause serious complications including damage to blood vessels, heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and blindness
What are blood sugar tests and high blood sugar levels?
Blood sugar tests indicate your body's ability to process sugar (glucose).
Test can diagnose prediabetes or diabetes and also how well blood sugar is being managed
Fasting Blood Sugar Test - A fasting blood sugar test measures blood sugar after an 8 hour fast.
A normal range is 70 to 100 mg/dL (milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood). A range of 100-125 mg/dL suggests prediabetes while 126 mg/dL diagnoses type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Glucose Tolerance Test - A glucose tolerance test is generally administered after a fasting blood sugar test. A sugary drink is administered and blood sugar is measured after 1 hour then after 2 hours.
Less than 140 mg/dL is considered normal while over 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes.
Random Blood Sugar Test - A random blood sugar test can also be administered without fasting. A range of 140-200 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetic
while over 200 mg/dL is considered diabetic
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test - A glycated hemoglobin test measures blood sugar management. It shows average blood sugar levels for 2 or 3 months.
Results show what percentage of hemoglobin is covered with sugar. Normal ranges are 4-6% while 7% and up indicates better need of blood sugar management.
Who can get affected by high blood sugar?
Type 1 diabetes accounts for upto 10% of diabetic cases in the US. It generally affects children and youth. In type 1
diabetes, the body's own immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin causing the pancreas to stop
producing insulin.
Type 2 diabetes has been linked to obesity, heredity, a sedentary lifestyle and age. Approx 23 million people in the US
have diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, while the body produces sufficient insulin, it simply cannot process it effectively.
Increasingly children and adolescents are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which is mainly being caused by poor diet, excessive sugar in the diet and inadequate exercise.
Gestational diabetes only affects pregnant women.
What are the symptoms of high blood sugar?
Some symptoms of high blood sugar are:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger especially after eating
- Increased urination
- Unexplained weight change
- Tiredness
- Fainting, dizzy spells, nausea
- Vision problems
- Yeast and vaginal infections
- Wounds and cuts that do not heal quickly
- Itchy skin in the groin area
- Dry mouth
- Dark skin changes in the neck, armpits and groins
- Impotence
- Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
You should immediately call your doctor if you feel weak, extremely thirsty, are urinating frequently and have a sweet breath as this could indicate ketoacidosis which is a dangerous condition of type 1 diabetes.
If you feel faint, drowsy, have a rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, trembling and hunger you could be experiencing low blood sugar levels and need to have a carbohydrate meal or drink immediately.
What causes high blood sugar?
The following are some of the causes of high blood sugar.
Diabetes
Cushing's syndrome
Acromegaly
Pheochromocytoma
Glucagonoma
Glucocorticoids
Thiazides
Phenytoin
Niacin
Oral contraceptives
Pentamidine
Subtotal pancreatectomy
Chronic pancreatitis
Haemochromatosis
Cystic fibrosis
Gestational diabetes
Cirrhosis
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Herbal remedies to relieve high blood sugar
Gymnema
Gymnema suppresses sweet cravings, controls blood sugar levels and has been very effective in Types 1 & 2 Diabetes
More info...
Karela
Karela, also known as Bitter Melon is a herb that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Gurmarin in Karela is similar to bovine insulin
More info...
Diabecon
Diabecon is a herbal ayurvedic formula clinically proven to control blood sugar levels and increase glucose utilization.
More info...
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How is high blood sugar diagnosed and treated?
Blood sugar levels can be measured by using a blood glucose meter, also known as a glucometer.
A tiny drop of blood from the finger or forearm is placed on a test strip and inserted into the glucometer.
The blood sugar (or glucose) level is displayed digitally within seconds.
Tests such as the Fasting Blood Sugar Test, Glucose Tolerance Test, Random Blood Sugar Test and Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) tests are used to measure and monitor blood sugar levels.
Blood glucose levels change throughout the day and night in diabetic people.
Ideally, blood sugar levels should range between 90 to 130 mg/dL before meals, and below 180 mg/dL within 1 to 2 hours after a meal.
Diabetic patients generally target to keep their sugar levels at 80-150 mg/dL before meals.
Type 1 diabetic patients need insulin shots regularly. Type 2 diabetic patients can largely control sugar levels through exercise, diet and medication.
What are some natural remedies high blood sugar levels?
A nutritious diet free of processed foods is essential for keeping blood sugar levels normal.
Read more on foods that are beneficial in controlling sugar levels.
Exercise is also very effective in helping to control blood sugar. However if ketones are present in the urine, exercising can cause blood sugar to go up.
Gymnema is a herb that has received a lot of attention
in medical circles as an effective blood sugar regulator. Gymnema sylvestre leaves contain gymnemic acid molecules that are similar to glucose molecule structures and
fill the receptors on the tongue's taste buds. This prevents the activation of sugar molecules and suppresses sugar cravings. It also prevents glucose molecules from being absorbed in
the intestine thus lowering blood sugar levels. Gymnema has alos been found to stimulate insulin production by the pancreas and increase sugar utilization.
Karela or Bitter Melon is another herb that has been proven effective in regulating blood sugar.
Diabecon is a herbal ayurvedic formulation that contains approx 33 herbs and minerals.
It has been clinically proven to help lower blood sugar, increase glucose utilization and regenerate beta cells in pancreas.
You may also be interested in reading on
Diabetes - What it is, Symptoms and Risk Factors
Steps to Diabetes Control: A Lifestyle Change
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Herbal remedies for High Blood Sugar
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Karela/Bitter Melon
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Blood Sugar Control, Effective for Type 2 Diabetes
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Gymnema
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Neutralizes sugar cravings, effective in blood sugar control
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Diabecon
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Herbal ayurvedic formula for blood sugar control
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