Dr. Gurbeer Singh Sehgal

In simple terms, hyperglycemia is the medical term for abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood stream. The blood sugar level range is 65-110 mg/dl and can extend up to 120-140 mg/dl a few hours after eating. However, when a person has eaten no food, but has a blood sugar level of more than 126 mg/dl, that may be a symptom of diabetes mellitus.

Reasons Behind it

A person who is hyperglycemic is most likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, which may be type 1 or type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system destroys the insulin secreting cells in the pancreas. The insulin production in the body stops, thereby, causing an enormous increase in the sugar levels. In such a situation, nothing, but external dose of insulin will be required to survive.

Type 2 diabetes is caused when the body stops responding to the insulin produced by the body and in a desperate attempt to maintain blood sugar level, the pancreas produce excess insulin. In this case, changing lifestyle, food-habits and taking proper medication can be the only way out for a healthy life.

Therefore, the major causes leading to increase in blood sugar level might be:

• Inadequate supply of insulin

• Slow or no reaction of the body to the insulin produced by the body

Tips to manage hyperglycemia

Here are some important tips that could help individuals regulate their blood sugar levels:

1. As we know, the carbohydrates break down into glucose, which is absorbed by the body cells with the help of insulin. So, in case of hyperglycemia, individuals should manage or better, cut off, carbohydrate intake in their meals.

2. Another important element to be highly monitored is the blood cholesterol level. For this, you must curb eating oily and spicy food.

3. It is very important that individuals limit their alcohol intake because alcohol contains huge amount of calories and carbs, which might lead to sky-rocketing blood-sugar levels.

4. The diet should contain adequate portions of nuts and olive oil.

5. Eating fatty milk products and fatty food should be strictly avoided.

6. Each and every food should be inspected for sugar because even a slight bit of sugar can mess up the entire process of managing the sugar level.

7. Individuals should try stress-free mild work out, as heavy work out could cause the blood-sugar level to rise in case of type 2 diabetes.

8. Anxiety, tension and stress would not help the process in anyway.

Proper medication and check-ups are necessary. It is important to be fit and healthy. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult an endocrinologist.