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What Reasons Could There Be for High Blood Sugar?

When you have high blood sugar ("hyperglycemia"), it means that the amount of glucose in your blood is excessive. Normally, the body uses and stores glucose for energy. But if there is a problem with the hormone that manages blood sugar (insulin) glucose levels can build up to extreme levels. Over time, these high levels can create serious health problems, including vision, heart or kidney disorders. Luckily, high blood sugar can be managed--once its cause is properly diagnosed.

  1. Lack or Dearth of Insulin

    • Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps to direct glucose from the bloodstream to your body's cells, where it is used for energy. High blood sugar can result when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, or stops producing it altogether. This kind of failure of the pancreas is the cause of Type 1 diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin supplements to control your glucose levels.

    Body Doesn't Respond Properly to Insulin

    • Sometimes your pancreas produces insulin in sufficient amounts, but your body becomes resistant to the insulin and your liver, fat and muscle cells fail to store the glucose, leaving it to build up to excessive levels in the bloodstream. Insulin-resistant hyperglycemia is the primary cause of Type 2 diabetes. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you often must take various medications to help your body manage the glucose it produces, and you must self-treat by observing a healthy, low-sugar diet, getting regular exercise and continually monitoring your blood sugar levels.

    Consuming Too Many Carbs

    • If you are prone to having high blood sugar, or have diabetes, it is not necessarily enough to stay away from sugary foods to keep your blood sugar levels under control. You must also limit your intake of carbohydrates, as carbohydrates are a form of sugar. If you have diabetes and you eat too many carbohydrates, your body cannot properly process the sugar and your blood sugar level will rise, even if you are on medication.

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