Glucose is the principal sugar that is made by the body and used to produce energy. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are broken down by the body into glucose. Once glucose is in the bloodstream, it requires insulin to help maintain a healthy balance. Not enough insulin will cause glucose levels to rise, and too much insulin can cause low glucose levels.
Glucose
Cells take in glucose from the bloodstream and break it down for energy. When the body has an excess amount of glucose, it is stored in the liver and muscles as long chains of glucose, called glycogen. Once stored, if the body is in need of glucose, glycogen is released and stimulates your appetite so you will eat. For glucose to enter cells from the bloodstream, insulin must be present. According to "Current Diagnosis and Treatment Emergency Medicine," high glucose is defined as greater than 200 mg/dL and low glucose is less than 50 mg/dL.
Insulin
The glucose-regulating hormone insulin is secreted by the pancreas. Some diseases cause the pancreas to produce no insulin, or not enough. In patients with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, some insulin is produced, but the body does not use it effectively. When your body does not produce insulin or use it efficiently, blood glucose levels rise after meals, or if you are fasting.
High Glucose
High blood glucose, called hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes, requires insulin to help bring glucose levels down. Glucose levels change throughout the day and require monitoring. Levels may increase if a person eats more than usual, as a result of stress or as a result of not taking the necessary insulin. The amount of insulin is adjusted depending on the glucose level in the bloodstream. Insulin can be given by injections or by an insulin pump. Insulin helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells to use as energy.
Low Glucose
Low glucose levels, called hypoglycemia, can occur when there is too much insulin in the body and not enough glucose. Patients who take insulin and skip a meal or increase their physical activity can become hypoglycemic.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of high blood sugar may include being extremely thirsty, urinating more often than usual, having blurred vision, being drowsy and losing weight. Patients with type 1 diabetes who have high blood sugar require insulin. In addition to insulin, diet control and activity modifications can help maintain normal glucose levels. Low glucose or hypoglycemia is sometimes called insulin shock. Signs of low blood sugar may include sweating, shaking, confusion and fainting. If not treated, low blood sugars can result in seizures. Extreme highs or lows of glucose require medical attention and, if not treated, can lead to death.
References
- "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice"; Mosby Elsevier; 2010
- "Current Diagnosis and Treatment Emergency Medicine"; McGraw Hill; 2008
