Hypoglycemia Or Hyperglycemia - Which One Do You Have?

By Author: Reeta Menon
Total Articles: 21
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Blood sugar is the primary source of energy that is needed for your body to function correctly. You get the glucose you need from food, mainly carbohydrates. Glucose is carried to different parts of your body through blood.

However, your body functions at optimal levels only when your glucose or blood sugar levels are within normal parameters. In order to keep your glucose in check, your pancreas generates insulin. This hormone also ensures that glucose is correctly absorbed and transported through the body for its various functions.

When insulin production is impaired, you may experience fluctuating blood sugar. Here, your blood glucose frequently shifts below and above normal levels, increasing your chances of developing diabetes.
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are the two terms used to describe each of these blood sugar fluctuations. To know the difference between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, first, you need to learn what each term stands for.

What Is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is a condition where glucose, your body's main source of energy, is lower than average. Hypoglycemia ...
... affects the brain’s ability to function correctly. Patients with diabetes may experience low blood sugar if they use incorrect doses of insulin.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia?
Low blood sugar has specific symptoms that can be monitored to provide care when needed.
•Sweating
•Weakness
•Faster pulse rate
•Tiredness
•Headache
•Being irritable
•Disorientation (being confused)

Sometimes, being hungry can make one irritable due to low blood sugar. Therefore, it is beneficial to quickly satisfy your hunger before you start feeling weak and tired. However, if you constantly feel hypoglycemia, consult your doctor to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
Some prescribed medications also cause blood sugar levels to reduce. If they drop to dangerous levels, you need to approach your doctor to find safer alternatives.

What Is Hyperglycemia?

Hyperglycemia is when your blood sugar levels go beyond what is normal. It is another word for prediabetes, which means if your glucose is not managed correctly, it could lead to diabetes.
Hyperglycemia causes include insufficient insulin to manage glucose levels. In some cases, your body may be unable to process insulin.

What Are the Symptoms of Hyperglycemia?

Since hyperglycemia can cause diabetes, you need to ensure you catch the symptoms and manage them as early as possible. Here are some signs of prediabetes to look out for:

•Consistently high blood sugar
•Increased thirst
•Frequent urination
•Tiredness
•Blurry vision
•Shortness of breath
•Dry mouth

It is necessary to approach your doctor if your sugar levels are constantly high. Medication and lifestyle changes required to manage hyperglycemia symptoms can be introduced early on, preventing the condition from evolving to diabetes.

Genetics and an unhealthy lifestyle are usually why blood sugar levels spike. However, even if you are predisposed to prediabetes genetically, you can keep the condition in check by following healthy food habits and a moderate fitness regime.

Conclusion

Many times, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are wrongly used interchangeably. However, both these conditions are different, and the treatment plans for each also vary.

If you suspect being either hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic, take the appropriate measures and visit your doctor immediately. Learning the symptoms and identifying them on time can keep you diabetes-free.

I have a strong interest in writing articles and blogs related to fitness, health diseases, diabetes, allergy, diarrhoea. In a free time playing chess and listening to music.