THE hyperglycemia rarely leads to symptoms acutely, although it can sometimes cause visual turbidity, increased thirst, increased urine volume and weight loss, but more in the long run. A chronic hyperglycemic state can lead to several consequences:
- blindness (sequela of diabetic retinopathy);
- myocardial infarction and stroke;
- diabetic foot, sometimes in need of limb amputation;
- impotence;
- renal failure, and hemodialysis may be required;
- neuropathy.
Those who have a diagnosis of diabetes (the main cause of hyperglycemia) must change certain habits, and for a lifetime, because the disease has no cure. Just a perfect balance between diet, exercise and medications is able to keep blood glucose at the right level and avoid the dreaded complications.
Hyperglycemia, in the acute phase and in those patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, should be treated with the use of insulin. Currently, there are several types of insulin, and a "basal" insulin is usually used, applied one to three times a day, associated with a fast-acting bolus of another type of insulin before meals.
Patients with Type 2 diabetes usually produce insulin, and the vast majority continue to produce insulin for the rest of their lives. It is estimated that only 25% of these individuals require extra doses.
Therefore, the beginning of treatment usually consists of diet and exercise. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe oral antidiabetics, which are tablets that increase the secretion of insulin or reduce the resistance to its action.
Currently there are several oral antidiabetics available, which can be associated for better glycemic control.
At gestation, hyperglycaemia is very dangerous as it can cause changes in the fetus, such as: overweight, leading to a risk childbirth, respiratory problems, hypoglycemia, jaundice and calcium deficiency. In pregnancy, the control of hyperglycemia is done with diet and physical activity and sometimes it will be necessary to use insulin.
In the presence of hyperglycaemia, consult a general practitioner or endocrinologist for follow-up.
