Diabetes type 2: Dr Zoe Williams discusses high blood sugar risks
Type 2 diabetes is usually benign in the beginning because it barely intrudes on a person’s daily life. The chronic condition only asserts itself when high blood sugar – the main type of sugar you get from eating food – starts to inflict damage on the body. One of the telltale signs that blood sugar levels have become destructive is above average urination, according to Diabetes.co.uk.
Why does this happen? Blood sugar supplies the cells with energy but having too much blood sugar is dangerous.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.
Unfortunately, if you have type 2 diabetes, insulin production is hampered, which gives rise to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Increased urination is partly a knock-on effect of increased thirst – another main warning sign of high blood sugar.
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When you have diabetes, excess glucose — blood sugar — builds up in your blood.
“Your kidneys are forced to work overtime to filter and absorb the excess glucose. When your kidneys can’t keep up, the excess glucose is excreted into your urine, dragging along fluids from your tissues, which makes you dehydrated,” explains the Mayo Clinic.
The health body continues: “This will usually leave you feeling thirsty. As you drink more fluids to quench your thirst, you’ll urinate even more.”
Other symptoms of high blood sugar include:
- Increased thirst and a dry mouth
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Unintentional weight loss
- Recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections
- Tummy pain
- Feeling or being sick
- Breath that smells fruity.
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How to respond
According to the NHS, you should see a GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or you’re worried you may have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
“You’ll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery,” explains the health body.
It adds: “The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment started, the better. Early treatment reduces your risk of other health problems.”
Following a diagnosis, you’ll usually have to make lifestyle changes to lower your blood sugar levels.
There are two key components to blood sugar management – diet and exercise.
In regards to the former, there is technically nothing you cannot eat but you’ll have to limit your intake of certain carbohydrates.
Refined carbs – carbs that have been processed and stripped of their goodness – are broken down by the body quickly, which can have a pronounced impact on blood glucose levels.
Refined carbs include white flour, white bread, white rice, pastries and sweets.
To keep blood sugar levels stable, you should opt for complex carbs, which take longer to break down.
Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables.
Exercise benefits
“Physical activity can lower your blood sugar up to 24 hours or more after your workout by making your body more sensitive to insulin,” explains the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Enhancing insulin sensitivity is integral to improving blood sugar uptake in the cells.
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