In the modern world, several types of diseases have a steady growth, among them are endocrine diseases and, above all, diabetes mellitus. In terms of the number of cases, it lags behind only oncology and cardiovascular diseases.
Doctors constantly remind that the disease needs to be known in person and it is better to prevent its occurrence. But if a person falls into a risk group, then you need to monitor your condition and know the first signs of an increase in blood sugar. In women, hyperglycemia requires an individual approach to therapy.
What is glucose and its norms
In the pursuit of he alth, many people try to eliminate s alt, pure sugar and all foods containing glucose from their diet. But such a rigid principle of denying the necessary products or substances leads to other diseases and complications. People with a hereditary tendency to diabetes need to carefully compose the menu, however, in clear rules of eating behavior, the use of he althy foods, although limited, is not excluded at all.
To startdetermine the level of glucose in the bloodstream, based on medical standards:
- Normal indicators of a he althy person are from 3.3 mmol/L to 5.5 mmol/L.
- Pre-diabetic state - from 5.5 mmol/L to 6 mmol/L.
- diabetes is diagnosed with values over 6.1 mmol/L.
Why does the body need sugar
Glucose is a substance that supplies energy to cells and tissues throughout the body. In addition, the presence of the required amount of sugar in the blood, in combination with other participants, ensures the flow of such vital processes:
- Synthesis of nucleic acids, lipids, amino acids.
- Support for the work of the heart and blood vessels.
- Start production of normal enzyme levels.
- Balance and normal functioning of the central nervous system.
- Promotes satiety.
The process of glucose formation has several stages. Products enter the stomach, where the process of splitting carbohydrates into saccharides, which includes glucose, takes place. Further, through the walls of the stomach, glucose is absorbed into the blood and transported to cells and tissues. Mobility and the ability to penetrate into the cells of glucose is provided by the hormone insulin, the pancreas is responsible for its production.
Physiological enhancement
The first signs of increased blood sugar in women appear quite late, when the process is already running and even has some complications. Causes of hyperglycemiaare divided into two groups - physiological and pathological.
The first group includes temporary factors, after the elimination of which the sugar level returns to normal levels, for example:
- Stress, prolonged emotional overstrain.
- Pregnancy.
- Eating simple carbohydrates.
- Pain syndrome (causes the release of adrenaline and thyroxine hormones).
- Severe blood loss, lack of blood routine, B vitamins.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning, active sports.
Physiological signs of increased blood sugar in women after eating naturally go away. After a set time after eating, the glucose level in a he althy person stabilizes. Subject to the rules of a balanced diet, the absence of overeating, there are no threats to the female body.
Drugs and sugar
Also, temporary hyperglycemia is caused by taking certain groups of medications:
- Estrogens, beta-blockers, phenothiazines.
- Glucocorticosteroids (based on prednisone).
- Oral contraceptives.
If, when taking medicines, there are signs of an increase in blood sugar in women, then the doctor is notified about this. Based on the test results, the specialist adjusts the drug regimen, dosage, or makes a complete replacement for another medicine.
Pathological causes
Pathological hyperglycemia occurs in the following diseases and conditions:
- Cirrhosis of the liver, infectious hepatitis.
- Diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis.
- Neuroendocrine diseases - polycystic ovaries, obesity, Cushing's disease, etc.
- Disturbances in the work of the adrenal glands.
- Neoplasms of the pancreas.
- Complications after a stroke, heart attack, injuries of various kinds.
- Neoplasms that cause distortion of the hormonal background (glucagonomas, pheochromocytomas).
If hyperglycemia is suspected, a visit to the doctor is necessary, and this should be done as soon as possible. Postponing the problem is fraught with fatal consequences, often incurable complications, manifested in the form of loss of vision, disability, etc. The specialist will definitely prescribe the necessary laboratory tests, instrumental diagnostics, and collect a complete history to find out what causes blood sugar to rise. Women, according to medical statistics, are much more likely to get endocrine diseases than men.
General symptoms
Against the backdrop of constant warnings about the high likelihood of diseases of the endocrine system, not everyone knows what are the signs of high blood sugar in women. But before we look at them, let's define what are the common symptoms of high glucose levels.
There are a number of body signals that indicate he alth problems associated withincreased glucose in the bloodstream:
- Feeling of unquenchable thirst. The patient can drink up to 5 liters of water per day, but at the same time feel dry mouth. This is because glucose attracts water molecules and removes them from the body.
- Frequent urination (polyuria). Glucose, together with water, is excreted from the body through the kidneys, the water-s alt balance is disturbed, and the renal system suffers. Dizziness may occur.
- Fatigue, weakness. Glucose is a source of energy for the body. With pathologies of the pancreas and the inability of the organ to reproduce insulin, which delivers glucose to the tissues, the cells do not receive the necessary charge for activity and experience constant hunger.
- Weight gain/loss (depending on type of pancreatic injury).
- Slow healing of small scratches, inflammation of wounds, cuts. As a result, suppuration may occur, in severe cases leading to amputation.
- Skin diseases, urinary tract infections accompanied by constant itching. Furunculosis, colpitis, etc. may occur.
- The body takes on the smell of acetone. As a rule, this happens with very high blood sugar levels. This is a warning sign that diabetic ketoacidosis is approaching.
Feminine specifics
The level of glucose in the blood, which is significantly higher than normal, gradually destroys internal organs and tissues. The immune system suffers, any viral or bacterial infection is fraught with severe course, slow recovery and complications. He alth status must be monitored to avoid chronic diseases. General symptoms of hyperglycemia are observed, including in women, but there are also special signs.
What are the first signs of high blood sugar in women? They are as follows:
- Disturbance of the menstrual cycle, which occurs due to disruptions in the hormonal background.
- Vaginal infections, fungal infections of the genitourinary system. The resulting diseases are very difficult to treat, since an ideal environment has been created for their development.
- Hair loss, change in their structure, loss of strength and shine. This sad symptom is due to a metabolic disorder.
- Fungal lesions of the nails on the lower extremities. With increased blood sugar, the blood supply to the capillary system worsens, the legs and hands often remain cold. Violation of blood circulation leads to a decrease in the body's resistance to infections, including fungal infections.
- If the glucose readings have crossed the 6-point mark, then a woman may begin to experience constant hunger, which indicates the threat of type 2 diabetes.
- A sharp drop in visual acuity, the appearance of spots before the eyes.
- Convulsions. The symptom indicates an electrolyte imbalance and poor blood supply.
Age features
There are age indicators of the norm of glucose in the blood. Having crossed the 40-year mark, it is necessary to control blood sugar on an ongoing basis, and this is due to the fading of functions.the body to produce enough hormones. For women and men who have overcome the age of 60, the glucose level ranges from 4.6 to 6.4 mmol / l. Elevated rates are not a pre-diabetic condition, but are associated solely with the extinction of the immune system and a decrease in hormone levels.
The causes and signs of high blood sugar in women over 60 are no different from those at other ages. Treatment is complicated by a slowdown in the body's reactions to medications, so prevention, eating behavior and physical activity play the first role. Experts recommend purchasing a special tester for home control of sugar levels.
Special situation
Expecting a child is accompanied by a woman's vigilant attitude towards her he alth, which means that tests are carried out regularly. A gynecologist, among other indicators, necessarily monitors the level of glucose in the blood. If it is elevated, especially after a control test, then the specialist concludes that the patient has gestational diabetes.
In the vast majority of cases, this diagnosis is removed after childbirth, but it affects the process of bearing the fetus and is a threat to its he alth. In particular, the child may develop intrauterine hypoxia - oxygen starvation. Today, doctors have access to various methods to reduce risks in the development of the baby and normalize glucose levels throughout all trimesters. Signs of high blood sugar in women during pregnancy are standard, but the problem is that it is necessarystabilize the condition of two people.
Gestational diabetes is a rare occurrence. According to medical data, 3-10% of expectant mothers face it. What causes blood sugar to rise in women during pregnancy:
- Hormonal changes caused by PCOS.
- Obesity grade 3 or 4.
- Manifestation of gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies.
- Heredity.
Also, this type of hyperglycemia occurs due to the individual response of hormones to the pregnancy of a particular woman.
How to normalize sugar
Having found out what are the signs of high blood sugar in women and finding at least one of the symptoms, you need to undergo a medical examination, make a diagnosis, laboratory tests and consult a doctor. For pregnant women, this step is especially necessary. What a specialist usually recommends for normalizing blood glucose:
- Balance your diet, but don't restrict calories.
- Organize fractional meals, the size of portions should correspond to the size of a clenched fist.
- Exclude simple carbohydrates (sugar, sweets, cakes, etc.) from the diet.
- Complex carbohydrates should be 50% of the generally accepted norm, the rest is compensated by fats and proteins.
- Do sports, take long walks away from roads, factories, etc.
- Take medication only as directed by your doctor.
How to overcome hyperglycemia
Pathological signs of increased blood sugar in women require medical attention. Treatment is necessary for borderline conditions, when the indicators approach the figures characterizing the pre-diabetic state or diabetes. In this case, a visit to the doctor is required, a thorough diagnosis, strict adherence to the recommendations of a specialist and a diet.
Nutrition Principles:
- Frequently eat small meals (up to 6 times a day).
- A balanced menu with lots of fiber.
- The amount of liquid should not exceed 2 liters per day.
- One meal made up entirely of vegetables.
- S alt is limited (individual quantitative recommendation).
- Compulsory refusal of alcoholic beverages, stimulants.
Foods with reduced content of simple carbohydrates and low calorie content should be the basis of the diet. Recommended for use:
- Low-fat meats and fish.
- Dairy products.
- Whole grains - oats, buckwheat, wheat, barley, etc.
- Rye or whole grain bread, preferably unleavened.
- No more than 2 eggs per day.
- Beans – peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, etc.
- Vegetables - radishes, radishes, all kinds of cabbages and lettuces, red peppers, baked eggplant, spinach, leafy greens, tomatoes, etc.
- Fruits and berries - quince, lemons,apples, pears, cranberries, lingonberries, blueberries, etc.
The diet should contain vegetable fats. It is necessary to give up sugar, giving preference to sweeteners or a couple of tablespoons of honey per day. Method of cooking - baking, boiling, stewing, steaming.
The following products are subject to exclusion from the diet:
- Flour, confectionery, fancy products, pastries.
- Fatty varieties of fish and meat, bacon, canned food, smoked products.
- Dairy and some dairy products - fatty cheeses, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream.
- It is necessary to completely abandon industrial and homemade mayonnaise.
- Fruits and dried fruits - raisins, dates, grapes, figs, bananas, etc.
Prevention
Wishing to maintain he alth for many years, it is worth knowing the signs of high blood sugar in women and how to avoid them. The basis of prevention is physical activity - running, fitness classes, swimming pool, yoga, gym or any other activity that will help avoid hypodynamia, increase metabolism and normalize hormonal levels.
Maintaining a stable regime of work and rest plays a big role in maintaining he alth. Each person needs to get enough sleep, not get into a state of stress and give up bad habits - smoking, drinking alcohol in large quantities. No less important is a positive attitude and the ability to experience joy, pleasure from life.
The third pillar of preventionconsidered a balanced diet. It is worth streamlining the hours of eating and strictly adhere to the schedule during the day. One of the important conditions is the complete exclusion of snacking on harmful foods and products (chips, carbonated drinks, s alted nuts, etc.). They will be replaced by fruits and dried fruits, nuts, vegetables, etc.
