How To Tell The Difference Between Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia
The differences between these extremes Pressmaster /Shutterstock Either one of these conditions could be part of silent diabetes symptoms you might be missing—they both involve difficulty regulating blood sugar, or glucose. But even non-diabetics can be susceptible to blood sugar extremes, called hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. "Hyperglycemia is defined as abnormally high blood sugar levels," says Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, a New York City-based dietitian, bestselling author, and founder of The F-Factor Diet. "It occurs when the body does not have enough insulin to bring glucose into the cells for energy." In other words, you have an overload of sugar, more than your body can handle. On the other hand, "hypoglycemia is defined as abnormally low blood sugar levels," she says. "When blood sugar begins to fall, a hormone called glucagon signals the liver to release stored glucose to raise blood sugar back to normal. If this does not occur you experience hypoglycemia." Warning signs for hyperglycemia Andrey Popov /Shutterstock One of the good things that happen to your body when you stop eating sugar is avoiding hyperglycemia. How can you know if you may be experiencing this sugar overload? "Hyperglycemia symptoms can include thirst, urination, blurry vision, and depending on the severity, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, or reduced concentration and awareness," says Kathleen Dungan, MD, an endocrinologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "It is important to note that depending upon the severity, hyperglycemia may not cause any symptoms at all." This is why people with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar, and take insulin to help the body absorb it. Be on the lookout for hypoglycemia symptoms One of the medical reasons you're always hungry could b Continue reading >>
Hyperglycemia Vs Hypoglycemia: What’s The Difference?
If you have diabetes, you’re likely well aware of the issues that can come with blood sugar levels that are too high—or too low. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may sound similar, but they can have very different consequences. Using too much or too little insulin can affect your blood sugar levels, but even if you aren’t diabetic, you should know that side effects of other medications, not eating enough (or eating too much), or even exercising more than usual can all affect your blood sugar. The scary part? Some people don’t have many symptoms, and may not be able to tell that their blood sugar is too high or too low without a glucose meter check. So what’s the difference, and how can you avoid hyper- and hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) Low blood sugar can be caused by not eating enough food or a delayed meal, an unusual amount of exercise, and drinking alcohol without eating food. If you use insulin, you know that your blood sugar levels can go too low if you use too much of your medication. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweatiness, shaking, dizziness, confusion, a fast heartbeat, hunger, feeling weak or tired, feeling nervous or upset, or headache. Will I notice if my blood sugar is low? Maybe. You may experience some of the symptoms mentioned above like feeling sweaty, shaky, or dizzy; a fast heartbeat; or feeling hungry. However, some people don’t feel anything at all. Hypoglycemia unawareness is the term for not being able to tell if your blood sugar is low, and it can be very dangerous. How can I know if my blood sugar is low if I don’t notice any symptoms? You’ll need to use a blood glucose meter, which can determine the amount of sugar in your blood using a small drop of blood typically from you Continue reading >>
The Difference Between Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia And What To Do About It
Diabetes is defined as a condition which can be managed if one makes sure to balance out their insulin injections and medication with activity and food. When such a balance is upset, two things can occur: either one’s blood glucose levels soar and hyperglycemia happens, or the opposite, hypoglycemia, where one’s blood glucose levels drop too low. The truth of the matter is that no matter how careful one is, they are bound to experience hypers or hypos from time to time. There are certain diabetes medications (as well as insulin) which can result in hypos. That’s why it’s so important to check in with one’s professional healthcare team to make sure that your current treatment does not cause hypos. How Much is Too Low? That would be lower than 4 mmol/l, in which your body cannot be sufficiently supplied with the energy it needs to function properly. Perspiration Feeling hungry Shakiness Fatigue Blurry vision Headaches Hard time concentrating Mood swings Paleness But keep in mind that hypo symptoms may vary from person to person. Why Do They Happen? There is no real answer to this question, only certain speculations as to what might cause a hypo. Some of which are missing out on meals, too much insulin, not enough carbohydrates, drinking too much alcohol (especially on an empty stomach) and spontaneous physical activity. But at times no obvious reason can be noted. Ways To Prevent A Hypo Eat a decent amount of carbs Don’t skip meals Eat even more carbs if you plan on doing more physical activity than usual Make sure to take your insulin injections and tablets correctly Don’t overdose on alcohol How to Treat a Hypo If you are still conscious, act quickly by treating your hypo with 15-20 grams of carbohydrates. Ideal choices are: Glucose tablets Pure fruit juic Continue reading >>
What Is The Difference Between Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia?
By Debra A. Sokol-McKay, MS, CVRT, CDE, CLVT, OTR/L, SCLV What Is Hyperglycemia? In relation to diabetes, hyperglycemia refers to chronically high blood glucose levels. Most medical professionals define hyperglycemia by using the blood glucose goals that you and your physician have established and combining those goals with the blood glucose target ranges set by the American Diabetes Association. It's important to understand that you'll probably experience high blood glucose levels from time to time, despite your best efforts at control. As with any chronic disease, talk with your physician and diabetes care team if the pattern of your blood glucose readings is consistently higher or lower than your blood glucose goals. Complications from Hyperglycemia Persistent hyperglycemia can cause a wide range of chronic complications that affect almost every system in your body. When large blood vessels are affected, it can lead to: Stroke (cerebral vascular disease) Heart attack or Congestive Heart Failure (coronary heart disease) Circulation disorders and possible amputation (peripheral vascular disease) When smaller blood vessels are affected, it can lead to: Kidney disease (nephropathy) Nerve damage (neuropathy) Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) Joseph Monks: Writer, Producer, and Film Director Joseph Monks, who has diabetic retinopathy, creates and produces films for his production company Sight Unseen Pictures. He is also the first blind filmmaker to direct a feature film. Says Joe, "I'm not uncomfortable with the term 'blind.' I'm not thrilled about it, of course, but it's accurate. The lights went out for me in early 2002 as a result of diabetic retinopathy—the death of my retinas. It is what it is, so when it happened, I decided that I wasn't going to let it put an en Continue reading >>
High And Low Blood Sugar Symptoms
Tweet Knowing and understanding the symptoms of high and low blood sugar should be essential for both diabetics and their friends and families. Symptoms of high blood sugar Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is common amongst diabetics. It occurs when a diabetic person eats too much food, and has too little insulin to regulate their blood sugar. Sometimes stress can cause diabetes. Being aware of the following symptoms and staying alert for their presence, whether you are a diabetic or a family member or friend, should be essential: Need for frequent urination Drowsiness Nausea Extreme hunger and/or thirst Blurring of the vision Symptoms of low blood sugar Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when a diabetic has not eaten enough food, or has too much insulin within his or her body. An excessive amount of exercise can also cause low blood sugar levels. Be aware of low blood sugar symptoms Being aware of the following symptoms and staying alert for their presence, whether you are a diabetic or a family member or friend, should be essential: Shaking Fast heartbeat Sweating Anxiety Dizziness Extreme hunger Weakness and tiredness Irritability Why do these symptoms matter for diabetics? These symptoms are essential for diabetics to understand, because they may encounter high or low blood sugar levels from time to time. A cold or virus can cause sudden high blood sugar levels, and understand the symptoms means knowing how to deal with hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. People with diabetes who can recognise the symptoms can avoid levels that lead to medical emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Knowing your high and low blood sugar symptoms allows you to test Once you understand symptoms of high and low blood sugar, it is possible to test quickly and avoid serious proble Continue reading >>
Difference Between Diabetes And Hypoglycemia
People often get diabetes and hypoglycemia confused with one another, believing that they are two difference names for the same condition. In actuality, they could not be more opposite. As we eat, our food is converted over to glucose, which is used for fuel in our cells and organs. As long as glucose levels remain balanced, the body runs efficiently. Anything over the recommended level and the body is called being pre-diabetic because you are dangerously close to developing diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that originates when the body does not process sugar in the blood correctly. This sugar is known as glucose. When diabetes is present, the body is suffering from one of two situations: either it is not producing insulin for the body's needs or the insulin that is being produced is not adequate to meet the body's needs. In response, the amount of glucose continues to rise to dangerously high levels. While diabetes addresses the problem of sugar levels being too high, hypoglycemia is when blood sugars are too low (hypo means low and glycemia means the sugar in our blood). There are several reasons why an individual's blood sugar levels would dip too low. One has to do with the foods that they are consuming. Not balancing out foods correctly will cause glucose to drop. Not only will the types of foods cause hypoglycemia, but when you eat them can also create this condition. If an individual is going too long between meals, this is a prime opportunity for sugar levels to fluctuate too low. This is why it is imperative for diabetics to always include healthy snacks between their meals. But according to statistics, the number one reason for hypoglycemia is not food-related. It is triggered by their medication. Type 2 diabetes is different from type 1 diabetes in many ways Continue reading >>
Non Diabetic Hypoglycemia – Know The Difference
You don’t have to be diabetic to experience hypoglycemia H ypoglycemia or low blood sugar is not a condition exclusive to diabetics. If you exercise too much without eating enough you might easily have hypoglycemia. Non diabetic hypoglycemia is different and it may be caused by a variety of reasons, some of which are associated with diabetes. If you are diabetic, your know that maintaining ideal blood sugars levels is not an easy task and if you use insulin it’s even more difficult. Diabetics have trouble controlling blood glucose levels because they are always leveraging, food, exercise, and insulin or oral drugs. If you use too much insulin you must eat enough or you risk having hypoglycemia. Common non diabetic hypoglycemia Non diabetic hypoglycemia can also be seen as a common and widespread condition which is not associated with disease processes but only caused by a diet rich in high glycemic index foods such as simple carbohydrates and simple sugars. If you have a strong cup of coffee and a small piece of white bread with jam for breakfast you will bottom out at about 10:30 or before lunch. If you continue to eat simple carbohydrates throughout the day you might run into low blood sugar episodes. You feel hungry, tired and irritable and have difficulty concentrating. This can be easily be remedied by changing the diet to less simple carbohydrates and more protein and fats. This is such a common occurrence most people don’t even think of it as being a problem. I used to be one of those who could not miss a meal or become hypoglycemic. If my blood sugar dropped I would become irritated and my mind would get foggy. Your body can do a good job keeping blood sugar balanced whether you eat or not. The remedy is a diet change and building of muscle mass. I changed Continue reading >>
Diabetic Coma Different From Insulin Shock, Role Of Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia Crucial
The role of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are crucial in diabetic coma. A diabetic coma is a complication of diabetes that leads to unconsciousness. A diabetic coma can result from both hyperglycemia – high blood sugar – or hypoglycemia – low blood sugar. A person in a diabetic coma is still alive, but they do not respond to light, sound, touch or any stimulation. If left untreated a diabetic coma can be fatal. A diabetic coma can be confused with an insulin shock, but although the two may appear similar, they do contain their own unique differences. Diabetic coma vs. insulin shock Insulin shock is the body’s reaction to a drop in blood sugar – or hypoglycemia – as a result of too much insulin. Even though the condition is called insulin shock, there is no shock involved and insulin isn’t the main culprit. Even people without diabetes can experience insulin shock if their blood sugar drops low enough. The condition is called a shock because it makes the body react similarly to when blood pressure drops – a fight or flight response. Symptoms of insulin shock are fast breathing, rapid pulse, dizziness, headache, numbness and hunger. Diabetic coma, on the other hand, causes unconsciousness that can occur over the course of days or even weeks and also cause dehydration. Although both conditions must be treated immediately, diabetic coma can be fatal. Causes of diabetic coma There are various causes of diabetic coma, including diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, and hypoglycemia. Diabetic ketoacidosis: This is a condition where muscles become starved for energy, so the body begins breaking down fat from storage. This forms a toxin known as ketones and, if untreated, can contribute to diabetic coma. Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome: Diabetic Continue reading >>
The Differences & Similarities Between Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes
“Oh, you have diabetes? That’s where you can’t eat sugar and have to poke yourself with needles and stuff because you ate too much candy as a kid…right?” *sigh* Wrong. Most people have no clue what diabetes is let alone that there is more than one type of diabetes. Type 1, type 2, LADA, MODY, and gestational are just some classification examples of diabetes. All have a range of differences and similarities but the two most common forms are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. As type 1 and type 2 diabetics [should] know, there are a few major differences between the two conditions which, all too often, get confused and misconstrued by the public. Yet, there are also a few similarities that get overlooked even among people in the diabetic community. Take a look at these two major forms of diabetes and make sure you can not only distinguish the differences but also share the similarities. Similarities Symptoms The symptoms for both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are identical in most ways. Both conditions involve three distinct symptoms prior to diagnosis: Polyuria – excessive urination often due to high blood sugar Polydipsia – excessive thirst Polyphagia – excessive hunger In type 2 diabetes, symptoms tend to be more gradual than type 1 but they both still share these symptoms along with the other usual byproducts of diabetes like high and low blood sugar, increased agitation, shaky/sweaty blood sugar reactions, as well as the more severe hypoglycemic events that can lead to seizures, coma, and death. Complications People often ask “so, do you have the bad kind of diabetes” and it kind of makes my ears bleed. There is no “good kind” of diabetes and anyone who thinks there is either doesn’t understand diabetes or is living in a warped world of “th Continue reading >>
What's The Difference Between Diabetes And Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is low blood glucose levels. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in the blood - hyperglycemia - and this is what leads to complications. FYI, there are 2 (main) types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent) requires insulin to treat, is typically developed as a child or young adult, and is a disease that destroys pancreatic cells meaning no insulin production is possible. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) is considerably more common and typically affects people over the age of 45, who are also overweight. Those suffering from type 2 are unable to produce enough insulin, and sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Continue reading >>
Low Blood Sugar Symptoms And Ranges
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) definition and facts Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. It typically occurs as a side effect of medications for diabetes. The normal range of blood glucose is from 70 to 100 mg/dL in an individual without diabetes, Most people will feel the effects and symptoms of low blood sugar when blood glucose levels are lower than 50 mg/dL. Low blood sugar is treated by giving a readily absorbed source of sugar, including soft drinks, juice, or foods containing sugar. If the hypoglycemia has progressed to the point at which the patient cannot take anything by mouth, an injection of glucagon may be given. Glucagon is a hormone that causes a fast release of glucose from the liver. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is syndrome that results from low blood sugar. The severity and symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person. Blood tests can diagnose low blood sugar, and symptoms resolve when the levels of sugar in the blood return to the normal range. The medical term for blood sugar is blood glucose. What can cause low blood sugar? Despite advances in the treatment of diabetes, low blood sugar episodes occur as a side effect of many treatments for diabetes. In fact, these episodes are often the limiting factor in achieving optimal blood sugar control, because many medications that are effective in treating diabetes carry the risk of lowering the blood sugar level too much, causing symptoms. In large scale studies looking at tight control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, low blood sugars occurred more often in the patients who were managed most intensively. This is important for patients and physicians to recognize, especially as the goal for treating patients with diabetes becomes tighter control of blood sugar. While peopl Continue reading >>
The Life-or-death Difference Between Insulin Shock Vs Diabetic Coma
Today over 10.9 million seniors over age 65, or 26.9% of the aging population suffers from diabetes. Diabetics face a number of challenging health complications, including eye, foot, skin, and hearing problems as well as neuropathy, kidney disease, mental health issues, and much more. Two commonly misunderstood diabetic emergencies are insulin shock and diabetic coma. The terminology is confusing, and is mistreated or misdiagnosed, these conditions could result in death. If someone you know is a diabetic or you live with diabetes yourself, its critical to have a grasp on the differing symptoms that insulin shock and diabetic coma present with. Here’s how to properly identify the difference between insulin shock versus a diabetic coma. What is Insulin Shock? Insulin shock is the result of hypoglycemia, a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to unconsciousness. A person experiencing acute insulin shock may exhibit early symptoms such as dizziness, hunger, and shakiness that may progress to tingling sensation throughout the body, physical weaknesses, rapid heartbeat, and labored breathing. This condition can cause seizures and permanent brain damage. What is Diabetic Coma? A diabetic coma is a serious, but reversible, condition that has a longer onset. While insulin shock happens quickly, it can take days for a diabetic coma to set in, and happens frequently to those who do not realize they are diabetic yet. In many cases, patients experience symptoms such as excess thirst or urination, several weeks prior to diagnosis. Diabetic comas can come as the result of both extremely high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and very low blood sugar (hypoglycermia) and are most common among seniors. Older adults may have an altered sense of thirst and are more likely to become dehydrat Continue reading >>
Signs & Symptoms Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
More than 23 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and each year 1.6 million people receive a new diagnosis of this disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. People with diabetes must carefully manage their blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels with diet, physical activity and medication to prevent diabetes complications and avoid hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Video of the Day When blood sugar levels drop below normal levels, a person may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as nervousness, shakiness and hunger. He may sweat and feel dizzy, lightheaded and confused. Sleepiness, anxiety, confusion and difficulty talking are also signs that a person has hypoglycemia. A person who has hypoglycemia while sleeping may sweat profusely during sleep, experience nightmares or wake feeling tired and irritable. If hypoglycemia isn’t treated, the condition can worsen, causing more-severe symptoms such as fainting, confusion, clumsiness, seizures, coma and even death. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, most cases of hypoglycemia are mild, and consuming food or drink rich in carbohydrates helps bring blood sugar levels back to normal. People with diabetes may need to take glucose tablets to raise their blood sugar levels quickly and avoid hypoglycemia's complications. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, occur when the body lacks insulin or cannot use insulin properly. High levels of sugar in the urine indicate hyperglycemia; frequently feeling thirsty and having to urinate often are also indicators of high blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, checking blood sugar levels often can help alert you to hyperglycemia before you feel symptoms. In many cases, reducing food intak Continue reading >>
Difference Between Diabetes And Hypoglycemia
Difference Between Diabetes and Hypoglycemia Diabetes and Hypoglycemia are two medical conditions related to the function of Insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating the blood glucose levels. Diabetes can be defined as a disease whereas hypoglycemia can be a defined as a sign confirmed by a series of investigations such as random blood sugar, fasting blood sugar, capillary blood sugar etc. This is the main difference between diabetes and hypoglycemia. This article explains, 1. What is Diabetes? – Types, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Treatment 2. What is Hypoglycemia? – Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Treatment 3. What is the difference between Diabetes and Hypoglycemia? What is Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic disorder of metabolism which occurs due to a dysfunctional pancreas which fails in secreting appropriate amounts of Insulin or poorly functioning insulin either due to an inherent pathology or acquired condition later in life. It can also occur as a result of the excessive blood glucose, not responding to secreted amount of insulin due to a separate mechanism known as Insulin resistance. There are 2 types of Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes: This is a condition which occurs due to the destruction of pancreatic Beta cells by autoimmune cells in the body. These people do not produce insulin at all, and therefore insulin injections are a must. This usually initiates before 20 years, but can be seen at any age. Type 2 Diabetes: In this condition, insulin produced is not used by the cells as well as they should. This is called insulin resistance. This usually affects obese individuals over 40 years of age and referred to as adult-onset Diabetes. Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Polyuria (increased frequency of urination) Polydipsia (increased thirst) Polyphagia (increased hu Continue reading >>
Diabetic Hypoglycemia
Diabetic hypoglycemia is a low blood glucose level occurring in a person with diabetes mellitus. It is one of the most common types of hypoglycemia seen in emergency departments and hospitals. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP), and based on a sample examined between 2004 and 2005, an estimated 55,819 cases (8.0% of total admissions) involved insulin, and severe hypoglycemia is likely the single most common event.[1] In general, hypoglycemia occurs when a treatment to lower the elevated blood glucose of diabetes inaccurately matches the body's physiological need, and therefore causes the glucose to fall to a below-normal level. Definition[edit] A commonly used "number" to define the lower limit of normal glucose is 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l), though in someone with diabetes, hypoglycemic symptoms can sometimes occur at higher glucose levels, or may fail to occur at lower. Some textbooks for nursing and pre-hospital care use the range 80 mg/dl to 120 mg/dl (4.4 mmol/l to 6.7 mmol/l). This variability is further compounded by the imprecision of glucose meter measurements at low levels, or the ability of glucose levels to change rapidly. Signs and symptoms[edit] Diabetic hypoglycemia can be mild, recognized easily by the patient, and reversed with a small amount of carbohydrates eaten or drunk, or it may be severe enough to cause unconsciousness requiring intravenous dextrose or an injection of glucagon. Severe hypoglycemic unconsciousness is one form of diabetic coma. A common medical definition of severe hypoglycemia is "hypoglycemia severe enough that the person needs assistance in dealing with it". A co-morbidity is the issue of hypoglycemia unawareness. Recent research using machine learning methods have proved to Continue reading >>
