When it comes to diabetes, it seems like a disproportionate amount of attention is given to the effects of low blood sugar on the body. This is probably due to the fact that symptoms tend to be very dramatic. On the other hand, while the effects of high blood sugar tend to be more subtle, they can be deadly, and it doesn’t take a lot of time for elevated blood sugar levels to wreak havoc on the body. Let’s take a closer look at hyperglycemia and why it’s important to keep levels under control.
Normal Range
Blood sugar levels can be taken before or after meals, or they can be taken at both times as a way to determine a baseline. Fasting readings are taken on an empty stomach, usually 8 hours after eating, and the normal range is considered to be between 70-130mg/dl. Reactive readings are taken following a meal, on a full stomach, and levels that don’t exceed 180mg/dl are considered to be average.
Anyone who has readings consistently at or above these levels are considered to be at risk of developing diabetes if they don’t already have the condition. People are considered to be in danger if readings exceed 300-500mg/dl on a consistent basis, but the effects can vary from person to person. Some people who have severe insulin-dependent diabetes that is difficult to control can have readings well into the 800s or higher.
Ketoacidosis
People who suffer from type 1 diabetes are at risk of developing ketoacidosis, or a toxic buildup of certain acids in the bloodstream that poison the body. Early symptoms include chronic thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision and a headache. Left untreated, symptoms can quickly progress to include shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, nausea, confusion, weakness, coma, organ failure and death. For people with type 2 diabetes, symptoms can be similar, but they also include vision loss, fevers exceeding 101 degrees and dehydration, although it’s not caused by ketoacidosis.
Diet is Important
Those who have type 1 diabetes usually know about it from an early age because they require insulin. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for those who have type 2, and tens of millions of people are unknowingly suffering from the condition. Not surprisingly, poor diet and a lack of exercise are the leading contributors to this epidemic. However, it’s important to remember that any one of us can develop blood sugar problems once our body is unable to produce and regulate insulin properly.
It’s also important to note that issues that we can expect to encounter in a prolonged crisis such a stress, uncertainty, fear, and less-than-ideal living conditions can all contribute to dangerous elevations in blood sugar levels. Consequently, it’s very easy to tip the scales and go from being healthy or marginally-healthy to getting chronically-ill in a survival situation, and it can literally happen in a matter of days.
Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping stress under control are our two most-powerful weapons against elevated blood sugar levels. Consequently, one of the best things that we can be doing for our health is paying attention to the quality of our stockpiles and emergency food supplies.
Remember that high blood sugar levels don’t always produce immediate and life-threatening effects. However, even the short-term ones can contribute to all kinds of problems that can compromise our safety or cloud our judgment during a crisis. Confusion, mood swings, sluggish thinking and low energy can all interfere with our ability to be at our best when it matters most.
Learn more about the effects of high blood sugar, how to keep it in check and how it can impact your ability to contend with a survival situation. The more you can do to prevent, identify and respond to problems will go a long way with increasing your chances of getting out alive.
