High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, is defined as too much sugar in the blood. There are many causes of high blood sugar, and the more serious causes (such as diabetes) need to be treated appropriately to prevent more serious side effects on the body.
Types
There are two main types of hyperglycemia: fasting hyperglycemia and after-meal hyperglycemia. Fasting hyperglycemia occurs when the blood sugar levels reach higher than 90-130 mg/dL in people who have fasted for eight or more hours. After-meal hyperglycemia refers to blood sugar levels higher than 180 mg/dL in people without diabetes one to two hours after a big meal.
Causes
Problems with the pancreas can result in high blood sugar levels. The pancreas creates the hormone called insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. A common cause of hyperglycemia is diabetes; diabetics have problems producing enough insulin. Other causes include stress, illness, infection, cystic fibrosis, eating disorders, oral contraceptives, drugs, gestational diabetes, chronic pancreatic, Cushing's syndrome, large intake of carbohydrates, large intake of calories, skipping insulin or medication and not enough exercise.
Symptoms
One symptom of hyperglycemia is increased urination. This is a result of the kidneys attempting to clear out the excess glucose in the body through urination. This is one reason why those with diabetes experience frequent urination. Another symptom of hyperglycemia is an increased intake of fluids. The extra thirst is a result of frequent urination. Weight loss is another symptom; if the body does not produce enough insulin, which breaks down and uses glucose, the body will instead break down stored fat or muscle. In addition to this, without the body's ability to use glucose as energy, a person with high blood sugar levels may feel fatigued. Other symptoms include headache, blurred vision, difficulty focusing, slow-healing sores, intestinal problems and nerve damage.
Treatment
It is first necessary to uncover the cause of the high blood sugar levels to apply the appropriate treatment. For example, if the patient does not get enough exercise, a doctor may instruct the patient to schedule time for more exercise. Or, if the patient does not produce enough insulin, the doctor may prescribe medication to help the body increase insulin production. Treatments often include drinking more water, changing eating habits and exercising.
Memory Loss
The area of the human brain that contributes to memory is called the dentate gyrus, which is located in the hippocampus. According to a study performed by researcher Dr. Scott Small, high blood sugar is directly associated with a declining performance of the dentate gyrus. Small claims that blood sugar levels tend to be higher in aging individuals; therefore, cognitive health can be maintained longer if blood sugar levels remain normal.
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