Managing Type 2 Diabetes with High Blood Sugar: Strategies and Steps
In the management of Type 2 diabetes, it is crucial to understand the symptoms, risks, and appropriate responses to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis.
Hyperglycemia, characterised by high blood sugar levels, can exhibit symptoms such as a high level of sugar in the urine, increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. Additionally, untreated hyperglycemia can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called ketoacidosis, which is characterised by a buildup of ketones in the body. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include dry mouth, shortness of breath, fruity or acetone-smelling breath, nausea, and vomiting.
When a person with Type 2 diabetes is sick or has a blood sugar reading of 240 milligrams per deciliter or higher, they should use a home ketone test kit and test every 4 to 6 hours. If the individual is adequately hydrated, the first line of treatment for severe hyperglycemia is injecting insulin. Ketoacidosis treatment typically involves hydration, introducing electrolytes, injecting insulin, and medication to treat any underlying conditions. With treatment, a person can generally fully recover from elevated blood glucose levels.
Long-term complications of hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetes primarily involve damage to multiple organ systems due to persistently elevated blood glucose levels. These include cardiovascular diseases (such as atherosclerosis increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease), neuropathy (nerve damage causing numbness, pain, and autonomic dysfunction), nephropathy (kidney damage potentially leading to end-stage renal disease), retinopathy (eye damage potentially causing vision loss or blindness), and damage to blood vessels leading to increased risks of heart attacks, angina, and other vascular problems[1][3][5].
Specifically, hyperglycemia causes cardiovascular disease by damaging the blood vessels and nerves controlling the heart, increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis[1][3][5]. Neuropathy is caused by persistent hyperglycemia damaging peripheral nerves, causing symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain, especially in the feet (peripheral neuropathy). It can also affect autonomic nerves, leading to digestive issues and heart rate irregularities[1][5]. Nephropathy is damage to kidney blood vessels from chronic hyperglycemia can cause diabetic nephropathy, potentially progressing to chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplantation[1][3][4]. Retinopathy is caused by high blood glucose affecting the eye’s small blood vessels, which may lead to diabetic retinopathy and vision loss or blindness[3].
It is important for a person with Type 2 diabetes to contact a doctor if they suspect they have hyperglycemia or are experiencing any symptoms related to ketoacidosis. Certain events and factors can cause or trigger blood sugar spikes or ketoacidosis, including missing insulin injections, illness, stroke, heart attack, drug or alcohol use, injury, certain medications, such as corticosteroids or diuretics.
In addition to regular blood tests and healthcare appointments, a person can help prevent blood sugar spikes by checking blood sugar levels regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, taking medications as prescribed, storing diabetes supplies in a cool, dry location, and becoming familiar with the symptoms of high blood sugar. If the urine contains ketones, exercising may be dangerous, and a person should consult their doctor.
Exercising can help reduce blood sugar levels for those with Type 2 diabetes, but a person should check their urine for ketones first using at-home tests. If a person with Type 2 diabetes experiences high blood sugar levels, they may need to adjust their medication, diet, or exercise routine. After treatment, a person should talk with their doctor about adjusting their treatment plan if necessary and go back to taking their medications regularly and following their diet and exercise plans.
Overall, persistent uncontrolled hyperglycemia drives progressive damage in these organs, emphasising the importance of effective diabetes management to reduce the risk of these serious complications[1][3][5].
[1] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Diabetes Care. 44(Supplement 1), S1-S137. [2] Choi, H. K., et al. (2016). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 40(3), 133-139. [3] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Diabetes Overview. [4] National Kidney Foundation. (2020). Kidney Disease and Diabetes. [5] World Health Organization. (2021). Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
- A naive approach to Type 2 diabetes management may lead to overlooking the crucial symptoms and risks associated with hyperglycemia and potential complications like ketoacidosis.
- Hyperglycemia can manifest with symptoms such as high urine sugar content, increased thirst, increased urination, and fatigue, which are indicative of high blood sugar levels.
- science has identified Type-2-diabetes as a chronic disease involving multiple organ systems, with long-term complications like cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other vascular issues.
- Understanding the urgency of treating hyperglycemia is essential, as untreated hyperglycemia may progress to ketoacidosis, which requires prompt medical attention and therapies-and-treatments involving hydration, electrolyte management, insulin injections, and medications for underlying conditions.
- Mental health is an important aspect of health-and-wellness for people with Type-2-diabetes, as emotional well-being directly impacts diabetes management and overall fitness-and-exercise routines, as well as adherence to a balanced diet and medication regimens.
- A person with Type-2-diabetes can benefit from regular medical check-ups, proper medication management, regular exercise, a balanced nutritional plan, and awareness of the symptoms of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis to reduce the risks of long-term complications and promote overall health-and-wellness.
- Persistent hyperglycemia can result in progressive damage to multiple organ systems, stressing the importance of chronic-diseases management to minimize the risks of these severe complications and achieve better health outcomes.
