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

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 to maintain normal 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. 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 keeping blood sugar levels steady. Gymnema has also 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 is considered beneficial in maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar, increasing glucose utilization and regenerating beta cells in pancreas.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

Diabetes - What it is, Symptoms and Risk Factors
Information on Diabetes types, what to watch out for and herbal remedies

How Gymnema works to control diabetes, blood sugar, cholesterol and obesity

Foods that help in diabetes

Beta Cell Regeneration : How herbs can prevent depletion & promote regeneration of beta cells

Blood Sugar Control With Herbs - Herbal Remedies That Maintain Glucose Levels

Reduce Diabetes Risk - Even 1 healthy habit can improve chances of not getting diabetes

References:

The Medical Advisor - The complete guide to Alternative & Conventional Treatments

Himalaya Herbals Company



Products for normal blood sugar levels

Karela / Bitter Melon
Maintains normal blood sugar levels, Improves Metabolism

Neem
Maintains normal blood glucose levels, detoxifies

Gymnema
Neutralizes sugar cravings, improves sugar metabolism