Hyperglycemia 101: Tips for Preventing and Treating High Blood Sugar

Hyperglycemia occurs when there is an excess of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This can happen when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when it can’t use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When there is not enough insulin or it doesn’t work properly, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia occurs when there is an excess of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This can happen in various forms of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes experience high blood sugar because their bodies don’t produce insulin. On the other hand, individuals with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes may have adequate insulin, but their cells and muscles can’t absorb it properly due to insulin resistance. How Is Hyperglycemia Diagnosed? Hyperglycemia is usually diagnosed through a blood test that measures your blood sugar levels. One common test is the A1C test, which measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. A normal A1C level is below 5.7 percent, while a level of 5.7 to 6.4 percent indicates prediabetes, and 6.5 percent or higher indicates diabetes. Your healthcare...