An imbalance in blood sugar levels occurs due to the body’s inability to process glucose. Glucose is normally broken down for the blood cells to absorb. But when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, the glucose that needs to convert into energy doesn’t get absorbed by the cells. Instead, the glucose starts causing abnormal spikes in blood sugar levels. This article discusses the signs, causes, foods, and treatments for fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Signs and symptoms
Imbalanced blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes. Watch out for signs and symptoms before the disease causes further damage to the body. Here are a few indicators that one’s blood sugar levels are out of control:
Excess hunger
People with imbalanced blood sugar levels may feel more hungry than they normally do. They would feel the need to snack every two hours. However, people with fluctuating blood sugar levels may also involuntarily lose weight.
Fatigue
Extreme fatigue is a telltale sign of fluctuating blood sugar levels. When the body is unable to process glucose into energy, one feels extremely tired. The excess glucose in the body can make one feel drained even with few activities throughout the day.
Blurry vision
Blurry vision is an alarming sign of an imbalance in blood sugar levels. The eyes swell due to a fluid leak, which significantly reduces focus. This issue could interfere with day-to-day activities like reading, driving, and working on the system. In most cases, blurred vision is also accompanied by frequent headaches.
Tingling or numbness
Nerve damage due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels is also known as diabetic neuropathy. While some people suffering from this condition may experience a numbing or tingling sensation on the hands or feet, others may experience bouts of pain.
Swollen or bleeding gums
This complication is a common occurrence as far as diabetes is concerned. Since the levels of glucose in a person with diabetes is relatively high, bacteria thrive in any part of their body. Subsequently, the chances of developing more infections are higher. Saliva also comprises glucose, which aggravates plaque formation and causes gum diseases. For people with diabetes, their gums tend to pull away from teeth, leaving more gaps that manifest cavities and infections.
Types of blood sugar fluctuations
There are two types of major fluctuations in blood sugar levels: a spike in blood sugar levels, i.e., hyperglycemia, and a drop in levels, i.e., hypoglycemia. Of course, the symptoms of both types differ.
Causes
The causes of fluctuating blood sugar levels can be listed on the basis of the types mentioned above. Here are the causes of hypoglycemia:
Diabetes prescriptions
This factor is one of the prime reasons for low blood sugar levels. Prescriptions increase the production of insulin, which may cause blood sugar levels to go down.
Some of the other causes include unexpected changes in schedule and conditions like kidney disorders, hepatitis, and endocrine disorders. As far as hyperglycemia is concerned, the following factors are responsible:
Disrupted medication schedule
When one forgets to take their diabetes medication, their blood sugar may tend to rise. A slight change in the medication schedule can also cause this.
Missing meals
Having a healthy breakfast every morning is essential, and missing this meal can cause problems for people with diabetes. Skipping meals could instantly spike blood sugar levels when they have the first meal later that day.
Stress
Any kind of stress spikes blood sugar levels. Not sleeping well at night, being out all day in the hot sun, and humid weather are well-known culprits as well.
Including raw, roasted, or cooked vegetables, low-calorie fruits, and high-fiber grains in daily meals can do wonders for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Foods that cause major changes in blood sugar are sugary and caffeinated beverages, rice, and cereals with sweeteners. Avoiding these foods is highly advisable.
Remedies and treatments
Mild exercise and activities can help control blood sugar levels. Adopting an active lifestyle is the answer to combat every lingering disease. Also, being mindful about what goes in the body system is rewarding in the long run. Eating moderate proportions and having a well-planned nutrition regimen can help cope with blood sugar fluctuations.
