Understanding Hyperglycaemia

Definition

• Hyperglycaemia refers to an elevated level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Causes

1. Diabetes Mellitus
   • Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin production failure.
   • Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance and relative deficiency.
2. Stress
   • Physical (illness, injury) or emotional stress can raise blood glucose levels.
3. Hormonal Influences
   • Increased secretion of hormones like glucagon and adrenaline can cause hyperglycaemia.
4. Medications
   • Some medications, like corticosteroids, can elevate blood glucose levels.
5. Diet
   • High carbohydrate intake, especially sugars and refined carbs.

Symptoms

• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Frequent urination (polyuria)
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Unintentional weight loss (in severe cases)

Diagnosis

• Blood tests:
  • Fasting blood glucose test
  • Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
  • Random blood glucose test
• HbA1c test to check average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months.

Complications

1. Acute Complications
   • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Type 1 diabetes.
   • Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) in Type 2 diabetes.
2. Chronic Complications
   • Cardiovascular diseases
   • Neuropathy
   • Nephropathy
   • Retinopathy

Management

• Lifestyle Changes
  • Healthy diet: Focus on low glycemic index foods.
  • Regular physical activity.
  • Weight management.
• Medications
  • Insulin (for Type 1 diabetes).
  • Oral hypoglycemic agents (for Type 2 diabetes).
• Monitoring
  • Regular blood glucose monitoring.
  • Regular check-ups with healthcare providers.

Prevention

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Engage in regular exercise.
• Eat a balanced diet with controlled carbohydrate intake.
• Regular health check-ups for at-risk individuals.

Hyperglycemia

• An elevated blood glucose level, commonly referred to as high blood sugar.
• Several factors can cause hyperglycemia, including diabetes mellitus, stress, hormonal imbalances, medications, and dietary choices.
• Type 1 diabetes involves the body's failure to produce insulin, while Type 2 diabetes features insulin resistance and a relative deficiency.
• Stress, whether physical or emotional, can trigger a rise in blood glucose levels.
• Hormones like glucagon and adrenaline can contribute to hyperglycemia when released in increased amounts.
• Certain medications, particularly corticosteroids, have the potential to elevate blood glucose levels.
• A high intake of carbohydrates, especially sugars and refined carbs, can lead to hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of Hyperglycemia

• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Frequent urination (polyuria)
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Unintentional weight loss (in severe cases)

Diagnosis of Hyperglycemia

• Blood tests are crucial for diagnosing hyperglycemia.
• Types of blood tests:
  • Fasting blood glucose test
  • Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
  • Random blood glucose test
• HbA1c test, measures average blood glucose over 2-3 months.

Complications of Hyperglycemia

• Acute Complications
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Type 1 diabetes.
  • Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) in Type 2 diabetes.
• Chronic Complications
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Neuropathy
  • Nephropathy
  • Retinopathy

Management of Hyperglycemia

• Lifestyle changes play a pivotal role in managing hyperglycemia:
  • Healthy diet focusing on low glycemic index foods.
  • Regular physical activity.
  • Weight management.
• Medications:
  • Insulin (for Type 1 diabetes).
  • Oral hypoglycemic agents (for Type 2 diabetes).
• Monitoring:
  • Regular blood glucose monitoring.
  • Routine check-ups with healthcare providers.

Prevention of Hyperglycemia

• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Engaging in regular exercise.
• Consuming a balanced diet with controlled carbohydrate intake.
• Regular health check-ups for individuals at risk.

This quiz covers the definition, causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of hyperglycaemia. Get tested on your knowledge about how diabetes, stress, hormones, and diet affect blood glucose levels. Perfect for students and professionals in health sciences.