Hyperglycemia

What is it?

With the term hyperglycemia we mean a condition characterized by blood glucose values ​​(blood glucose concentration) higher than the physiological ones.

• The physiological values ​​of fasting glycaemia, or the concentration of glucose in the blood, range from 70-110 mg / dl;
• A fasting blood sugar level of more than 110 mg / indicates hyperglycemia.
• Normal blood glucose level must be less than 140 mg/dL 2 hours after eating.
• If this values is greater than 140 mg / dl, we speak of hyperglycemia.

Causes

The underlying causes of hyperglycemia are different:

• It can have a genetic cause in the case of type I diabetes;
• It can have environmental causes linked to poor eating habits, diets rich in saturated fatty acids and sugars, sedentary lifestyle in the case of type II diabetes.
• It can be due to a stressful condition, in which there is an increase in hyperglycemic hormones such as cortisol or catecholamines.
• It may depend on the use of drugs such as steroids, beta-blockers, antipsychotics or growth hormone, drugs with hyperglycemic action.

Symptoms

Hyperglycemia is characterized by the symptoms of the 3 P’s:

• Poliura, i.e. increased urine production;
• Polyphagia, or increased hunger;
• Polydpsia, i.e. increased thirst.

But there are also other associated symptoms:

• Blurring of vision;
• Intense sweating;
• Dehydration;
• Nausea;
• Vomit;
• Drowsiness;
• Acetonemic breath;
• Dysbiosis;
• Urinary tract infections.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of hyperglycemia can be made with several tests:

• Blood glucose measurement;
• Lancing device;
• Glycemic load;
• Glycated hemoglobin;
• Proteinuria;
• Glycosuria;
• Presence of ketone bodies in the urine.

Pharmacological treatment

There are different types of drugs that are used to restore blood glucose values:

• The biguanide family inhibits the production of glucose in the liver and increases the uptake of glucose from the blood to the muscle cells.
• Metformin which reduces intestinal absorption of glucose;
• Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors reduce the degradation of intestinal hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) that stimulate insulin and inhibit glucagon.

Natural therapy

There are several natural remedies you can use to control your blood sugar:

• Eucalyptus is rich in antioxidants that lower the intestinal absorption of sugars.
• Myrtle also reduces the intestinal absorption of sugars;
• Elderberry has phytosterols that stimulate the action of insulin;
• Scientific studies show that galega enhances the action of insulin and reduces the intestinal absorption of sugars;
• Opuntia is rich in polysaccharides that reduce the intestinal absorption of sugars;
• American ginseng is also rich in polysaccharides that reduce the intestinal absorption of sugars;
• Scientific studies show that spices such as turmeric and cinnamon have a hypoglycemic action.

Diet

Surely the basic rule of a diet for hyperglycemia is to take care of the diet not only in the quantity but also in the quality of carbohydrates:

• 60% in the daily breakdown of whole grains;
• Yes to the consumption of legumes, at least 3 times a week;
• Yes to the consumption of dried fruit, rich in omega 6 with a hypolipidic and hypoglycemic action;
• Yes to the frequent consumption of blue fish, with a hypolidipic and hypoglycemic action;
• Yes to the consumption of vegetables rich in water and fiber, components with hypoglycemic action;
• Avoid the consumption of alcohol or liqueur wines;
• Avoid the consumption of any form of industrial product such as sweets, candies, cookies or sugary drinks;
• Prefer the consumption of organic baked goods or confectionery products.