Being a primary care physician, I get to see different medical problems affecting the entire age range. Lately, I noticed that I am seeing more and more cases of adult onset diabetes. This prompted this post for the information of everyone.
We all have occasional episodes of high blood sugar. The most common culprits include:
- Eating too much
- Exercising less than you planned to
- Physical stress, such as a cold, infection or the flu
- Emotional stress, such as family conflict or workplace challenges
These bouts of hyperglycemia however should be temporary and should not cause symptoms that will become persistent. These symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Nausea
If these are felt, a fasting blood sugar (FBS) should be taken. The normal reference values are 3.89 – 5.84 mmol/l or 70 – 105 mg/dl.
If the FBS is high, we need to have an action plan to get it down. If we think the high level is because we ate more than usual or splurged on dessert, then following it with a walk or some exercise should help to lower it.
If the high is from stress, let's do our best to take a breather and try to relax. Of course, this is easier said than done, but lowering our stress is important to help lower your blood glucose levels.
After we've taken all action to make sure that our blood glucose level has gone down, let's have our FBS taken again. If the blood glucose levels is still higher than usual, it's time to consult our doctor.
Know that long periods of hyperglycemia can damage our nerves, blood vessels and various organs. Left untreated, high blood sugar may turn into diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome — both life-threatening conditions.
There are a number of risk factors which significantly increase the likelihood of having an adult onset diabetes. If you are positive for any one of these, just like me, be more diligent and conscious of the tell-tale signs and symptoms mentioned above.
- a family history of Type 2 Diabetes or heart disease
- being overweight or obese
- being aged 45 or older
- suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure)
- belonging to a high-risk ethnic group, namely African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinos or Pacific Islanders
- being "apple-shaped" rather than "pear-shaped," meaning that excess weight gathers around your waist, rather than your hips
- if female, suffering from Gestational Diabetes while pregnant or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs
- eating an excess amount of carbohydrates
- leading a sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise
- being recently diagnosed as suffering from Insulin Resistance
Reference : 1998-2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER).
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