What is high blood sugar?  Do I have it?  Why should I care?  These are questions that I frequently hear from clients who come to me for a weight management program.  High blood sugar is when the glucose (sugar) level in one’s blood rises.  If your blood sugar remains high, complications such as dehydration and more serious complications may occur.

Although blood sugar naturally fluctuates throughout the day, becoming aware of what causes fluctuations and keeping your levels more consistent will greatly aid in health and wellness, as well as emotional health and stability.

So, what are the causes of high blood sugar?  The main cause is when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin.  Insulin Is a hormone which helps glucose go from the bloodstream into our cells to be used for energy. A condition called insulin-resistance is the second main cause. Insulin-resistance, which occurs primarily in type 2 diabetes, is when the cells are resistant to the glucose-lowering effects of insulin. If someone has either not enough insulin and/or insulin-resistance, then high blood sugar levels or diabetes will occur.

Effects of high blood sugar levels include short term problems such as fatigue, feeling weak, excessive urination, dehydration, susceptibility to infections and blurry vision.   Long term effects include diabetes, eye disease, kidney disease and failure or nerve disease and neuropathy.  Eventually uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease and even death.

Lowering high blood sugar means changing your diet. Cut out sugary and high calorie drinks and substitute water.  Drinking a lot of water will help flush your system, and also help to control your weight.  Get a moderate amount of exercise every day.    Eat smaller but more frequent healthful meal, including proteins.  Eliminate or cut back on high sugar foods.  Manage stress levels through relaxation techniques.   All of these actions will have a positive effect on not only your blood sugar, but your overall health and fitness.

Tags: causes of high blood sugar, Effects of high blood sugar, health and wellness, high blood sugar, insulin, insulin-resistance, Lowering high blood sugar, uncontrolled diabetes, Weight management
Filed under: General Health, Weight Loss