Blood sugar or glucose plays a big role in everyone’s health, not only for diabetics. High blood sugar level when someone does not have diabetes is also referred to as nondiabetic hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can either occur suddenly from a major injury or illness, or it can happen over a longer period caused by chronic diseases.
It is important to treat high blood sugar as it increases the risk of infections and slows healing. If left untreated, high blood sugar can damage nerves, organs and blood vessels which may lead to other health problems such as heart attack, stroke and other nerve problems.
What are the symptoms of high blood sugar?
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, but patients may or may not notice the following (these are high blood sugar symptoms in adults):
- Blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble concentrating
- Thirstier than usual
- Frequent urination
- Pain in your abdomen
How is non-diabetic hyperglycemia treated?
The patient will be required to get a blood test done. Depending on the diagnosis, he will have to change his diet and lifestyle as transient hyperglycemia does not usually require medical treatment. If he has other health issues, he may be given insulin or some other medicines for high blood sugar treatment.
What are the causes of high blood sugar in non-diabetics?
Surgery and Stress
After a major surgery, glucose level may be disturbed due to the physical stress caused to the body. The stress caused to the body after a surgery mimics the increase in cytokines and hormones that cause the production of glucose in the liver and block the effects of insulin to remove excess sugar from the blood. Many patients develop stress-induced hyperglycemia after surgery and have high blood sugar for a long period afterwards.
Side Effects of Medication
Various medications may cause blood sugar levels to rise by activating enzymes that increase blood sugar and disrupting the activity of insulin to break down glucose from the bloodstream. Such medicines include immunosuppressants, corticosteroids and catecholamine vasopressors. Patients who are receiving nutrition through an IV may also develop hyperglycemia because the nutritional fluids that help to restore electrolyte balance contain a sugar solution.
Infections
The physical stress resulting from an infection such as urinary tract infection (UTI) or pneumonia can also cause a spike in blood sugar level. The stress hormone cortisol level is increased when a person has an infection and this blocks the ability of insulin to get rid of sugar from the bloodstream. High blood sugar caused by an infection is just the body's normal reaction to be able to back organs that depend on glucose for energy and assist the immune system to get rid of the infection.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a disorder where the body produces too much of the cortisol hormone for a long period. Cortisol is often referred to as the stress hormone as it regulates how the body responds to stress. Cortisol also regulates blood sugar. With too much in the bloodstream, the hormone will hinder the effects of insulin by obstructing the breakdown of sugar thus increasing insulin resistance and keeping sugar levels elevated. High levels of cortisol also slow down the release of insulin in the body.
Trauma
Physical stress such as trauma, burns and other injuries can cause a spike to blood sugar by changing the way sugar is metabolised. Same as with infections, the body will react to properly take care of the trauma. High sugar level caused by stress results in the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of hormones that impede the effect of insulin to remove excess sugar from the bloodstream.
Pancreatic Diseases
Insulin is produced in the pancreas. Pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer can cause blood sugar to rise as these conditions cause damage to cells in the pancreas. An inflamed and damaged pancreas may no longer be able to produce enough insulin to control glucose level.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder among women which result in irregular menstrual periods. PCOS patients have various hormonal imbalances, including high levels of testosterone, insulin and cytokines. Even with high levels of insulin, women with PCOS present insulin resistance as their insulin hormones cannot properly deal with sugar to use it for energy resulting in excess glucose remaining in the bloodstream.
Genetics
In some families, diabetes can be hereditary which make the risk of developing hyperglycemia high. With proper diet and lifestyle, diabetes can be prevented but weakened insulin sensitivity can be part of people’s genes making them prone to high blood sugar.
High blood sugar has various causes, not just diabetes. However, high blood sugar can increase the risk of developing diabetes if a person does not take care of his diet once he starts seeing the first signs of increased glucose. People who have their blood sugar on a higher level should be given proper treatment to keep their blood sugar under control.
