Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are blood sugar levels that are too low or too high, respectively. A fasting blood sugar level of fewer than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is called hypoglycemia, while a fasting blood sugar level of more than 130 mg/dL is called hyperglycemia. Changes in blood sugar, whether dips or rises, can cause symptoms and serious complications. These conditions are most common in people with diabetes but can also be caused by other factors and occur in people without diabetes. Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that has far-reaching effects on health. In type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, not enough insulin is released into the bloodstream, or the insulin is not used properly. Low blood glucose can also be called an insulin response, or insulin shock. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can both be dangerous. Because they are opposite conditions, the symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are different. And, with both, symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may not experience symptoms.Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia

Causes of Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia may occur when there is too much sugar in the blood. This happens either when your body has too little insulin (the hormone that moves glucose into the blood) or if your body can’t use insulin properly, as in type 2 diabetes.
Causes of hyperglycemia in people with diabetes may include:

1. The insulin or oral diabetes medicine you are taking is not enough.
2. The amount of carbohydrates you eat or drink is not balanced by the amount of insulin your body makes or the amount you inject.
3. You are less active than usual.
4. Physical stress from an illness, such as a cold, flu, or infection, is affecting you.
5. Family conflicts, emotional problems, or school or work stress are affecting you.
6. You are taking steroids for another condition.
7. The dawn phenomenon (the surge of hormones in the body between 4 am and 5 am daily) is affecting you.

Other possible causes of hyperglycemia include:

1. Endocrine conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome, cause insulin resistance.
2. Pancreatic diseases
3. Certain medications, such as diuretics and steroids
4. Gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy)
5. Surgery or trauma

Causes of Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia occurs when the body has too much insulin, which results in low blood sugar levels. It’s common in people with type 1 diabetes, and it can happen in people with type 2 diabetes who take insulin or certain medications.
For people without diabetes, hypoglycemia is rare. Causes of hypoglycemia in people without diabetes include:

1. Having pre-diabetes or being at risk for diabetes can make it difficult to make the right amount of insulin.
2. Abdominal surgery can move food through your small intestine much faster.
3. A rare enzyme deficiency that makes it harder for your body to break down food.
4. Medicines, such as salicylates (such as aspirin), sulfa drugs (an antibiotic), pentamidine (to treat a severe form of pneumonia), or quinine (to treat malaria)
5. Alcohol, especially with heavy drinking
6. Serious diseases, such as those affecting the liver, heart, or kidneys.
7. A tumor, such as a tumor in the pancreas that makes insulin or a tumor that makes a single hormone called IGF-II.

For people with diabetes, accidentally giving the wrong type of insulin, too much insulin, or injecting it directly into the muscle (rather than just under the skin) can cause low blood sugar.

Other causes of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes may include:

1. Being more active than usual
2. Drinking alcohol without eating
3. Eating late or skipping meals
4. Not balancing meals by adding fat, protein, and fiber
5. Not eating enough carbohydrates
6. Not timing insulin and carbohydrate intake correctly (for example, waiting too long to eat after taking insulin for a meal)

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia

Similar to hypoglycemia, symptoms of hyperglycemia range from mild to severe. They are also different for different people.

Common symptoms of hyperglycemia are:

1. Dry mouth
2. Increased thirst
3. Frequent urination ego
4. Headache
5. Blurred vision
6. Nausea
7. Feeling weak or tired
8. shortness of breath
9. Fragrant fruity breath
10. vomit
11. Flu-like symptoms, such as feeling achy or feeling unusually hot or cold

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

Symptoms of hypoglycemia range from mild to severe and vary from person to person. It’s important to recognize what hypoglycemia feels like to you, so you can spot the warning signs early.

When blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dL, people may experience the following symptoms:

1. Sweating
2. Shaking
3. Dizziness.
4. Get confused
5. Fast heartbeat
6. Hunger
7. Feeling weak or tired
8. Feeling nervous or anxious
9. Headache

Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia: Key Differences

Both of these conditions can affect people who have either type 1 or type 2 of diabetes. They can also affect people which are not diabetic. Both are related to glucose levels in the body, but they have some important differences. Some important differences between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are:

1. Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low blood glucose level (less than 70 mg/dL).
2. Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level (fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two separate tests).
3. Hypoglycemia can lead to confusion, seizures, coma, and even death.
4. Long-term hyperglycemia can cause nerve damage, circulatory failure, stroke, and heart attack.

When comparing low blood sugar and high blood sugar, the health concerns are very different. Common risks are that if glucose levels stay too high or too low for too long, your body starts to suffer, and you may not be able to get more help.

Treatment of Hyperglycemia

For non-emergency episodes of hyperglycemia, a person can turn to rapid-acting insulin to lower blood sugar. Another quick way to lower blood sugar is exercise. Prevention should be the first to ensure that this rise in blood sugar does not occur. Some ways to ensure that blood sugar levels stay stable and don’t get too high include following a regular exercise plan and eating a balanced diet. Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can help prevent future hyperglycemic episodes.

Treatment of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia can usually be treated with a pinch of snacks or drinks you have on hand. The 15-15 rule states that you should gradually increase your blood sugar by first eating 15 grams of carbohydrates, waiting 15 minutes, and checking your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar is still less than 70 mg/dL, repeat these steps until you feel better. 3 Glucagon can be used as an emergency treatment to lower blood sugar. 5 It comes as a liquid in a prefilled syringe or auto-injector device. For subcutaneous injection only. Glucagon is also available as a powder that can be mixed with a supplied liquid and injected into the skin, muscle, or vein.

After glucagon injection:

After glucagon injection, the patient should be turned on their side to prevent choking in case of vomiting. Use glucagon injection exactly as directed. Do not inject it more often or inject more or less than recommended by your healthcare provider. To avoid the symptoms and complications of low blood sugar, discuss any changes and concerns with your healthcare provider. Some ways to avoid low blood sugar include keeping emergency medicine or glucose tablets on hand, talking to loved ones about your condition, empowering them to help you if needed, and wearing a medical ID card in case of an emergency.Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia