What Is the Difference Between Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are medical terms for health conditions concerning the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Hyperglycemia is a situation in which glucose or sugar levels are unusually high while hypoglycemia glucose or sugar levels are unusually low. Both are dangerous extremes and therefore require treatment as failure to do so can bring irreparable harm to the patient.
Causes
Hyperglycemia is usually the initial symptom of diabetes, a life-long disease resulting from a pancreas which is not capable of producing enough sugar-neutralizing insulin. High blood glucose can be brought about by :
- Over-eating.
- Illness.
- Injury.
- Genetic stress and disposition.
Hypoglycemia can be brought about by insufficient amount of sugar consumed or the presence of too much insulin in the bloodstream. So, hypoglycemia can be experienced by diabetics who have eaten too little or injected too much insulin into their bloodstream.
Basics : Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia – Video Guide
Symptoms
Hypoglycemia symptoms :
- Unexpected mood changes
- Inability to be attentive.
- Numbness at the mouth
- Clumsy movement.
- Too much sweating.
- Loss of skin’s normal color.
Hyperglycemia symptoms:
- Frequent urination.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Blurry vision.
- Dry mouth.
- Excessive thirst.
- Immoderate hunger.
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Dangers
Brain damage, seizure and possibly death can occur with prolonged hypoglycemia since there will be insufficient glucose for the brain to use as energy.
Hyperglycemia can gradually result in kidney failure, blindness, stroke, and heart disease. People who are hyperglycemic can easily be attacked by infections which are responsive to sugar and can have wound which are difficult to heal.
Risk Reduction
To a great extent, you are able to lessen the possibility of suffering from both conditions with the right lifestyle choices. Aim for the right body weight, avoid diets that deprives you of essential nutrients, eat as many fresh fruits as well as vegetables as you can, eating as little as possible sugary and fatty foods, and exercise for a minimum half an hour at least five days a week.