Excessive blood glucose might be attributable to many issues. Figuring out the commonest causes can assist you handle your blood glucose and keep away from issues.
Consuming meals excessive in carbohydrates, particularly refined sugars and easy carbohydrates (generally known as processed, excessive GI meals), can result in speedy spikes in your blood glucose ranges. Meals resembling sugary snacks, sweetened drinks, white bread, jasmine rice, and pastries are widespread culprits.
fact-sheet-carbohydrate-counting.pdf (ndss.com.au)
The glycemic index reality sheet (ndss.com.au)
When you will have diabetes, your physique is both producing much less insulin and/or your physique is proof against insulin (kind 2 diabetes), or your physique produces no insulin in any respect (kind 1 diabetes). An absence of insulin can cease glucose from coming into physique cells correctly and in time, so the glucose stays in your blood stream, and your blood glucose ranges rise.
Lack of exercise can cut back your physique’s means to make use of glucose successfully. This will result in increased blood glucose ranges. Once you transfer extra your insulin works higher.
Stress triggers the discharge of hormones resembling cortisol and adrenaline (stress hormones), which might trigger blood glucose ranges to rise. Persistent stress can contribute to long-term blood glucose imbalances.
Sure medicines, resembling corticosteroids, some antidepressants, and sure bronchial asthma medicines, can elevate blood glucose ranges as a facet impact.
Throughout sickness or an infection, your physique releases stress hormones to struggle the sickness. This will elevate blood glucose ranges.
Excessive blood glucose could cause signs resembling elevated thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred imaginative and prescient, and complications. If very excessive, it might result in electrolyte imbalance, inflicting dehydration and/or Hyper Osmolar Hyperglycemic State (HSS) in individuals with kind 2 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening situation, in individuals with kind 1 diabetes.
Over time, excessive blood glucose can harm blood vessels. This will trigger coronary heart illness, nerve harm, kidney issues, eye harm, and extra infections.
Test your blood glucose usually if suggested by your physician or diabetes educator.
Eat entire grains, legumes, fruits, and greens, much less processed meals and low GI carbohydrates. Embrace lean proteins and wholesome fat. Ask your physician to refer you to a dietitian.
Eat smaller, extra frequent meals to keep away from massive spikes.
Meals and Diet Sources | NDSS
Sitting much less and constructing muscle are vital. Actions like strolling, biking, or swimming can assist you to maintain you blood glucose in your goal vary. In case you are undecided about your goal vary, communicate along with your diabetes educator.
Bodily Exercise | NDSS
Observe your physician’s recommendation for any medicines you want, together with insulin.
Follow deep respiratory, meditation, or hobbies to scale back stress.
Emotional and Psychological Well being | NDSS
Drink loads of water to stop dehydration. Consuming water gained’t decrease your blood glucose ranges, however it might assist you handle your glucose ranges. Consuming sufficient water is wholesome, with analysis linking it to a diminished threat of excessive blood glucose and efficient for flushing waste out your kidneys.
Go to your physician usually to observe your well being and alter your therapy as wanted. Figuring out if you’re exterior your goal blood glucose vary might assist you to make modifications. See your physician for normal checks.
Annual cycle of care (ndss.com.au)
By understanding the causes of excessive blood glucose ranges and methods to handle them, you could possibly enhance your diabetes self-care and keep away from problems.
For extra assist, comply with the hyperlinks within the article or name the NDSS helpline at 1800 637 700 and ask to talk with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), Accredited Practising Dietitian or Accredited Train Physiologist.
By Vania Khoury, Credentialled Diabetes Educator and Registered Nurse
