Hyperglycemia can be either a temporary or long-term condition, where the blood glucose concentration is above the normal range. Most healthy individuals experience transient hyperglycemia immediately after meals. However, more than 23 million Americans suffer from hyperglycemia in the form of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The good news is that regardless of what causes hyperglycemia, there are effective way you can manage it. Most involve diet and exercise, but some also require prescription medications.
Blood Glucose and Hyperglycemia
Blood glucose is an important source of fuel for the body. The brain, muscles and many other organs prefer glucose over fat and protein as a primary source of fuel. Blood glucose originates from carbohydrates in the diet. Foods such as bread, pasta, fruits and vegetables are good sources of glucose. Certain individuals, including type 1 and type 2 diabetics, experience problems with processing glucose. As a result, glucose levels in the blood remain high, leading to complications that could include kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness or loss of limbs.
The normal range for glucose in healthy individuals and diabetics who manage their disease is between 70 to 100 mg/dl. Anyone with glucose levels higher than 130 mg/dl could be at risk for pre-diabetes--the precursor to diabetes.
How to Treat Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is typically seen in type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Type 1 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that is instrumental in processing glucose. Doctors typically prescribe injectable or oral insulin for type 1 diabetics. Type 2 diabetics make enough insulin, but their cells are resistant to it; as a result, glucose levels stay high while the cells literally starve. Doctors usually prescribe oral medications to treat type 2 diabetes.
Both types of diabetes respond well to diet and exercise. Diabetics follow strict nutritional guidelines that limit some forms of carbohydrates. They learn how to balance carbohydrates with fats and proteins to stabilize their blood glucose levels, in conjunction with exercise and medications.
Diabetics also are taught about the importance of exercise. They typically follow guidelines that help the muscles consume excess blood glucose.
Long-Term Monitoring
There are several ways to monitor hyperglycemia. One way is to have your blood drawn and analyzed for glucose concentrations when you have your annual physical examination.
Another is by using a home glucose monitor. There are dozens models that range from $19.95 to more than $100. After puncturing your skin with a lancet, you place a small drop of blood on a test strip and put into the monitor. After several seconds, a digital readout displays your blood glucose level.
Another important test for long-term glucose levels is the hemoglobin A1c test. A small quantity of blood is analyzed for the amount of glucose that saturates the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin A1c is the best indicator of blood glucose, averaged over the life span of the red blood cells, about 120 days.
