High serum glucose, or hyperglycemia, is a condition characterized by high levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. Normally, the body limits the amount of sugar that is found in the blood. Glucose is used as an energy source for many human biological processes. Too little or excessive amounts of sugar in the blood can lead to damage to tissues and organs. High serum glucose levels should be lowered immediately in order to prevent severe complications. Understanding the cause of the hyperglycemia can help physicians choose the best treatment.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
Patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 do not have enough insulin in their body. The hormone is normally produced in the pancreas, but in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Without insulin, the body’s cells are not able to absorb glucose from the blood. Therefore, the sugar remains in the bloodstream and leads to hyperglycemia. Patients will often be treated with synthetic insulin injections. If treatment is regular and successful, the patient will have regular blood glucose levels. However, if the patient is untreated or undertreated, the serum glucose levels will exceed normal limits, reports the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs when the patient’s cells have become resistant to the effects of insulin. Even though the pancreas is producing enough insulin, the cells are unable to utilize the hormone. The result is that glucose is unable to enter the cells and is forced to remain in the blood. The resulting high serum glucose levels can lead to damage and organ failure, reports MayoClinic.com.
Illness and Stress
Illness can be a cause of high serum glucose levels. Diseases, such as the flu, can induce the patient to suffer from stress. The stress causes the body to release hormones that drastically increase the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. The body believes the energy from the glucose will be needed to combat the stressful situation. Therefore, the stress can cause a transient increase in serum glucose levels, according to TeensHealth, an information website sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. Once the stress is removed the patient’s glucose levels will eventually return to normal. However, if the stress is persistent, the high glucose levels can damage the body.
Diet
If a person eats a large meal--especially if the meal is composed of carbohydrates and sugar--there may be a significant, though temporary, increase in serum glucose levels, states the American Diabetes Association. Food and beverages provide much of the glucose the body needs for energy. The food is broken down into glucose and then transferred to the body. Before the cells absorb the sugar, it is contained in the blood. As long as the cells take in the glucose, the high blood sugar levels are only temporary.
