High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can have serious consequences on your health if left uncontrolled. But how long does it take before high blood sugar levels start causing damage to your body?
Ask your health care professional if you should take less insulin or eat carbs before, during, or after physical activity. Low blood glucose can be a serious medical emergency that must be treated right away. You can learn how to treat low blood glucose, let other people know what to do if you need help, and use a medical alert bracelet. A person may be able to prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy by keeping their blood glucose levels close to their target range.
The Effects of High Blood Sugar
But high blood sugar can cause serious problems if it stays high for a long time or gets to a very high level. People with diabetes can also have blood sugar that’s too low. Join our email list for useful tips on living with diabetes and kidney disease.
Keep your blood sugar levels close to normal to avoid many of these health problems. The American Diabetes Association’s goals for blood sugar control in people with diabetes are 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL after meals. The explanation given involved osmotic changes caused by the fluctuations as well as the suppression of some corrective genetic changes that occurred with the steady state. The beta cells are the cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin your body uses to control your blood sugar.
If you have risk factors for hyperglycemia, it’s important to note that some of them are non-modifiable, meaning you can’t change them, such as your age or genetic makeup. However, there are several modifiable risk factors’those you may be able to change’that are usually related to lifestyle. The prognosis (outlook) of people with hyperglycemia varies based on how well they manage their diabetes overall. Acute (sudden and severe) hyperglycemia can lead to DKA, which is life-threatening.
This may be because your pancreas is unable to produce insulin, as in type 1 diabetes. Or it may be because your body is resistant to the effects of insulin, or it doesn’t make enough insulin to keep a normal glucose level, as in type 2 diabetes. The method used to treat high blood sugar will depend on how high your blood sugar is, why it is high, and whether or not ketones are present. For example, if your after-meal blood sugar is elevated due to inaccurate carbohydrate counting and insulin dosing, you may be able to take extra insulin to “correct” it or bring your blood sugar down.
When your blood sugar levels are consistently elevated, it can lead to various complications such as:
- Damage to blood vessels: High blood sugar can cause damage to the walls of blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Nerve damage: Prolonged hyperglycemia can result in nerve damage, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.
- Eye problems: High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
Timeline for Damage
The timeline for when high blood sugar levels start causing damage can vary from person to person. Factors such as the severity of the hyperglycemia, how long it has been present, and individual health conditions all play a role in determining when complications may arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take for high blood sugar to cause damage?
A: Some immediate effects of high blood sugar can be seen within days or weeks, while long-term complications may take years to develop.
Q: What can I do to prevent damage from high blood sugar?
A: Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly, following a healthy diet, staying physically active, and taking medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider can help prevent complications.
In conclusion, high blood sugar can cause damage to your body over time if not managed properly. It is important to work with your healthcare team to keep your blood sugar levels in check and reduce the risk of complications associated with hyperglycemia.
