The Effects of High Blood Sugar Levels
A diabetic who is experiencing high blood sugar levels (or hyperglycaemia) will feel a number of related symptoms. A type 1 diabetic may feel dehydrated, may have an excessive need to use the toilet, they will feel very run down and very lethargic, and may experience mouth ulcers and dry skin. Their vision will also be very blurry if their levels have been running high for a long period of time. Another effect of hyperglycaemia is a pale skin colour and, when passing urine, the individual will notice it is of a very pale (almost transparent) colour. If a type 1 diabetic falls ill, then they have to keep a close check on their blood sugars throughout this time because they have a tendency to rise inexplicably during a fever or virus. During periods of ill health, blood sugar levels become much more difficult to control.
Those suffering a bout of hyperglycaemia are also much more likely to be diagnosed with a urine infection, and will be losing weight rapidly. In the long term, high blood sugar levels are very dangerous for type 1 diabetics and could result in liver or kidney difficulties, liver or kidney failure, and ultimately, if hyperglycaemia is left untreated for too long a period of time, the individual will die. This is why it is so important for the diabetic to deal with the complications as soon as they arrive, and to try to prevent them happening again.
The cause of hyperglycaemia is a result of the diabetic individual having too much sugar in their bloodstream (and their pancreas, not being able to produce insulin, cannot bring those blood sugar levels back down to the normal rate). This is the total opposite of hypoglycaemia – which is caused by the individual’s body having too little sugar in its bloodstream. Both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia will result in the patient’s inability to complete simple daily tasks because their energy levels drop dramatically.
If you know anyone suffering hyperglycaemia, or you are a diabetic who is experiencing high blood sugar levels yourself, you should call a doctor, or contact your hospital, immediately. The doctors or nurses will treat the diabetic’s hyperglycaemic complications by putting the individual on a drip and keeping them in for observation overnight – or for a couple of days if their condition is not improving. Although hyperglycaemia can usually be treated, it is very important to not let high blood sugars occur regularly as this will see an overall weakening of the diabetic’s health and can lead to later serious problems.
Copyright (c) 2010 Paul Evans