High blood sugar levels, often a precursor to serious health conditions like diabetes, are a hidden threat lurking in our modern lifestyles. Unchecked, they can silently wreak havoc on our bodies, leading to a myriad of health complications. 

That’s why you must understand the dangers high blood sugar levels pose to your health. That said, we will discuss the risks associated with high blood sugar levels below, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balanced blood sugar levels for overall health and wellness. 

The Prevalence of High Blood Sugar

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 422 million people are living with diabetes worldwide, a figure that’s expected to rise further in the coming year. High blood sugar occurs when your body has too little insulin or can’t use it properly. 

It’s a common issue for those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but it can also affect people who don’t have diabetes.

In addition, the WHO also projected diabetes as the 7th leading cause of death by 2030. The prevalence of high blood sugar, particularly in the form of diabetes, is a global health crisis that affects individuals and families worldwide.

Several risk factors contribute to high blood sugar, including poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and certain health conditions. Understanding and mitigating these factors can help individuals effectively control their blood sugar levels.

Health Risks Associated with High Blood Sugar Levels

A very crucial thing to note is that high blood sugar can lead to many health complications. Chronic hyperglycemia can cause a myriad of health problems along the way. Let’s discuss these complications below and other possible health risks that diabetes can cause.  

1. Heart Disease and Stroke: High blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and blood vessels. The longer you have diabetes, the higher the chances that you’ll develop heart disease. Moreover, High blood sugar levels can cause blood clots to form within the blood vessels, leading to your brain, blocking blood flow, and potentially leading to a stroke.
2. Kidney Disease: Every kidney comprises countless minuscule filters called nephrons. Prolonged exposure to elevated glucose levels, as seen in diabetes, can harm the kidney’s blood vessels and the nephrons, impairing their functionality.
3. Neuropathy: Elevated blood sugar can, over time, cause nerve damage, leading to diabetic neuropathy with symptoms like numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
4. Retinopathy: Retinopathy develops when the high sugar levels in the blood associated with diabetes damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage can cause these vessels to leak fluid or bleed, leading to retina swelling and blurred vision.
5. Skin Conditions: diabetes can cause dehydration, leading to dry skin. It may also lead to increased sweating, promoting fungal and bacterial infections. Among the diabetes-related skin conditions, diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, and diabetic blisters are some of the most common.
6. Gastroparesis: The link between diabetes and gastroparesis lies primarily in the effect of diabetes on nerve function. High blood glucose levels can damage the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach and small intestine muscles.
7. Hearing Loss: Extended periods of high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels that supply the cochlea, the hearing organ in the inner ear. This results in compromised nutrient and oxygen supply, leading to cell damage or death and, subsequently, hearing loss.
8. Alzheimer’s Disease: Elevated glucose levels in the blood have been associated with increased protein fragments named beta-amyloid. These fragments tend to aggregate, causing an obstruction between the brain’s neurological cells and inhibiting their communication. This disruption of neural communication is a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.

Managing High Blood Sugar Levels

If you are already suffering from high blood glucose, then you must know how to manage your condition properly to avoid experiencing the complications mentioned earlier. The first thing you must remember to manage your blood sugar properly is to have a regular check-up. 

Your doctor will prescribe you a medication like metformin that helps manage your blood glucose level. 

It’s also vital that you constantly monitor your blood glucose level. Numerous home testing kits are available, and regular check-ups with your doctor are also essential. Moreover, Maintaining a balanced diet is key. Opt for foods low in sugar and high in fiber. 

Include plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods as they often contain hidden sugars. Aside from watching what you eat, regular exercise can also help to lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. Try to incorporate both cardio and strength training exercises into your routine.

It is also known that lack of sleep can increase your blood sugar levels. So, you must ensure you are getting a sufficient amount of rest each night. Lastly, you must manage your stress properly. Chronic stress can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. Mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help manage stress effectively.

Conclusion

In the battle against this health condition, it is crucial to comprehend the perils associated with elevated blood sugar levels. By staying well-informed and making mindful lifestyle choices, we can effectively control high blood sugar levels and mitigate the risk of associated health complications.