The most important part of diabetes treatment is controlling blood sugar. Both low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, and high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia, can make you feel hungry, tired, confused and irritable. But chronic high blood sugar levels are much more dangerous and can have severe long-term health implications including blindness, nerve damage and organ failure. Diet is the best tool you have to control glucose levels, but it's important to exercise and take any medication as prescribed.
Sugar and Blood Sugar
Your diet has a direct impact on your blood sugar, or glucose level. The faster a food digests, the easier it is for your body to convert it into glucose and the quicker and higher your blood sugar level will rise. Protein, fiber and fat all digest slowly. Carbohydrates digest faster and simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, digest the fastest. When you consume sugar, your bloodstream is flooded with glucose, which signals your pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that helps transport glucose from your blood into your cells for use as energy. Excess glucose not used immediately for energy is converted into fat and stored for later use -- between meals or overnight. If your blood sugar rises too quickly, your pancreas may produce too much insulin; this extra insulin fools your brain into believing you need more glucose -- triggering a craving for more sugar. If you're an insulin-dependent diabetic, your body doesn't make enough insulin, and extra glucose stays in your blood stream leading to a number of health problems.
The Symptoms of Hyperglycemia
A simple glucose test will tell you exactly what your blood sugar level is. You may not experience symptoms until your blood sugar is higher than 200 mg/dL. Although it's normal for glucose levels to fluctuate, before eating, your glucose level should be between 90 and 130 mg/dL. After eating, it will rise, but should be below 180 mg/dL within two hours after your meal. The first physical signs of hyperglycemia are thirst and increased urination, while headaches, blurred vision and fatigue are also common. If your glucose levels remain above 240 mg/dL and you have fruity breath, abdominal pain, weakness or vomiting, you may be in ketosis. Left untreated you could be in danger of a diabetic coma, called ketoacidosis.
Nerve Damage
Neuropathy, or diabetic nerve damage, occurs when chronic high glucose levels weaken and damage small blood vessels and capillaries. Your nerves are fed from these tiny capillaries; when the nerves don't receive the oxygen and nutrients they need, they die. This die-off is painful and can cause electric tingling sensations as well as numbness. Nerve damage is the leading cause of amputations in diabetics, who can't feel an injury or infection. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, more than half of lower-limb amputations in the United States are performed on diabetics. Many amputations are caused by neuropathy and could be prevented with careful foot care.
Kidney Failure
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney damage in the United States, according to 2005 information from the NIDDKD, accounting for almost 45 percent of new cases of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease in diabetics is directly linked to uncontrolled elevated glucose levels, which force your kidneys to work too hard filtering waste from your bloodstream. Controlling glucose levels through diet, medication and regular physical activity can slow the progression of kidney disease and delay the need for dialysis.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Hyperglycemia in DIabetes; March 23, 2010
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes; Feb. 2009
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Kidney Disease of Diabetes; Sept. 2008
- American Diabetes Association: Hyperglycemia
