High blood sugar

Description

Diabetes or high blood sugar. Chronic disease of metabolism characterized by the inability of the organism to produce enough insulin and/or resistance to the insulin that has been produced. The insulin is necessary for transportation of sugar to the cells and efficient processing of carbohydrates, fat and proteins. Patients with diabetes have excessive glucose in the bloodstream, which makes damage to almost every organ in the body. There are three types of diabetes: type 1 is usually seen in younger patients and it requires the insulin, type 2 develops later in life and it is more often linked to the obesity, and gestational diabetes.

Symptoms

Increased urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the feet.

Overview

History of disease is being taken and physical examination is being done. Measurements of glucose are done randomly and in the morning before eating anything. Hemoglobin A1C can measure average glucose level during the longer period of time. In the case of very high glucose level or high-level acid level in the body, ketones level and arterial blood gastest may be checked to exclude serious complication calleddiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Tests

Biochemical blood analysis and urinalysis.

Additional analyses

Hemoglobin A1C, level of ketones in the blood and arterial blood gas test.

Specialists

Endocrinology, General Practice, Internal Medicine

Therapy

Type 1 diabetes requires additional insulin either as injections oras an intermittent continuous infusion delivered from an insulin pump. Needed doses of insulin depend on the measurements of glucose done during the day. Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled by weight loss, nutrition and exercising. Type 2 diabetes frequently requires oral hypoglycemic medicines and may also require the insulin.