Hyperglycemia and Diabetes: What You Need to Know

When it comes to the role of blood sugar in relation to our health we all know that the higher the levels, the higher we increase the risk of developing diseases. We may have heard the terms “hyperglycemia” and “diabetes” from our doctors, but do we really know what these diagnoses mean?

Let’s start by first distinguishing the difference between hyperglycemia and diabetes. Think of it this way: Hyperglycemia can act as a buildup to the diagnosis of diabetes, a symptom of diabetes. In other words, you can be diabetic with hyperglycemia, but not necessarily hyperglycemic with diabetes. Hyperglycemia occurs when there is too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood. To meet the threshold for having hyperglycemia, one’s blood glucose levels are at least 125 mg/dl. Keep in mind that the normal and healthy range for blood glucose is about 70-99 mg/dl. In order to be diagnosed with diabetes, a fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dl is required.

When our blood sugar levels are too high, our bodies trigger the release of the hormone insulin, which gets released from the pancreas. Insulin works to go and “sweep” up the high levels of glucose in the blood and bring them back to our cells to be processed for energy use and storage.

In regards to the effects of hyperglycemia and diabetes on the body, the signs, symptoms, and effects are very similar. Signs and symptoms of the two diseases are very similar and include frequent urination, increased thirst, fatigue, and vision problems. These conditions can cause an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and vascular disease, as well as nerve and kidney disease. Now that we know the difference between Hyperglycemia and Diabetes, we can take this knowledge and implement a lifestyle that minimizes risk! Exercise, a healthy diet, and low-stress levels all contribute to our well-being and work in the prevention of diseases like diabetes and hyperglycemia.

Written by:

Elizabeth Hoffman, Nutrition Intern Fall 2021

Works Cited:

Hoffman, Matthew. “Blood Sugar Levels: How Glucose Levels Affect Your Body.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/diabetes/how-sugar-affects-diabetes.

“Hyperglycemia and Diabetes: Relationship, Symptoms, and Treatments.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311204#treatments.

“What Is the Difference between Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia?” VisionAware, 23 Apr. 2021, visionaware.org/your-eye-condition/diabetic-retinopathy/hyperglycemia-and-hypoglycemia/.