What Are the Causes of Uncontrolled Glucose Levels?

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), uncontrolled glucose (sugar) levels affect millions of people in the United States. There are a variety of causes of uncontrolled glucose levels, but they all center on the body's inability to efficiently process glucose and/or produce insulin.

Hypoglycemia

• Hypoglycemia occurs when a person's blood sugar drops too low. A common cause is what is referred to as an insulin reaction, according to the ADA. If a diabetic person is administered too much insulin, an insulin reaction can occur.

Pre-diabetes

• Pre-diabetes happens when someone's blood glucose levels are elevated above normal, but not at a level high enough to be considered diabetic. The ADA estimates that 57 million people in the United States have pre-diabetes.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a disease related to glucose intolerance, thereby resulting in high blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is typically characterized by insulin resistance, which can progress to the state of failure of the pancreas to produce insulin.

Risk Factors

• Prevention of diabetes is the best way to avoid uncontrolled blood sugar levels. According to the ADA, diabetes risk factors include obesity, pre-diabetes, family history, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and having gestational diabetes during pregnancy

Considerations

• The key to avoiding long-term complications of uncontrolled glucose levels is to focus on prevention, as well as tight diabetes control. This includes maintaining a healthy body weight and regular exercise.