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Published on: Sep 19, 2021
2 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

What Is Hyperglycemia, And How Is It Controlled?

What is hyperglycemia, and how is it controlled?

Hyperglycemia is an elevated level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes mellitus and impaired insulin secretion are the most common causes, and it can be controlled through diet and exercise.

Diabetes management consists primarily of following a carefully planned individualized diet that helps prevent over-or under-nutrition as well as traditional diseases such as heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, high blood pressure, obesity, and others. Remaining physically active is also crucial to maintaining optimal wellness for people with diabetes--as well as those who want to keep their diabetes from getting worse!

Hyperglycemia is when your blood sugar levels are at least 120 mg/dL. This is classified as a non-ketotic diabetic coma. It can be controlled by eating healthy (eating fruit, vegetables, and sugars), regulating insulin infusions, and taking medications like metformin to decrease the amount of sugar in your bloodstream or sulfonylureas that stimulate the pancreas' beta cells to produce more insulin. Hyperglycemia is the result of too much glucose in your bloodstream. You can control it through diet and exercise, but diabetes treatment medication is often necessary.

Your body regulates blood sugar by releasing insulin when you eat carbohydrates. This makes cells release their energy stores to make up for what's consumed. When this isn't enough, insulin levels are boosted with medications, or doctors instruct patients to start injecting themselves with insulin instead." Hyperglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level becomes dangerously high. To control hyperglycemia, you can either reduce your food intake or increase your exercise. Both methods are effective at restoring the body's proper functioning and managing blood glucose levels.

Hyperglycemia is typically caused by diabetes, or more specifically by insulin problems, too much alcohol consumption, dehydration, or intense exercise. It's controlled by monitoring your blood sugar levels with a finger prick test looking for unhealthy spikes and rapid drops in blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycemia can generally be controlled with diet and lifestyle changes because it's primarily characterized by increased glucose levels in the bloodstream, not severe drops in glucose levels that typically happen for diabetes patients. This means that eating fewer carbs (especially refined sugars), exercising more often, and managing stress can usually regulate hyperglycemic symptoms like fatigue and headache without the need to take medication like insulin injections.

Hyperglycemia is controlled by diet and various drugs, such as insulin and Metformin. Hyperglycemia can be caused by not taking enough insulin or if you are eating food that contains sugars like candy, soda, cake, etc.

Some common causes for Hyperglycemia are eating too many high glycemic index foods, having inadequate control of type 1 diabetes through insulin injections, obesity, and childbirth.

Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels at least four times per day using a self-monitoring kit so that they can quickly treat it before it reaches very dangerous or even fatal levels. If you suspect you have hyperglycemia without checking your blood sugars yet take immediate steps to keep your glucose under control by drinking water, breaking carbohydrates up in small portions throughout the day to decrease spikes in insulin production, breaking down proteins in smaller doses

When the body metabolizes carbohydrates into glucose, any excess of this sugar in the bloodstream (and cells) will cause blood sugar levels to soar. There are four ways to reduce small amounts of hyperglycemia--medications like metformin or cromolyn sodium; physical activity; diet; and weight loss. Dietary restriction, for example by reducing carbohydrate intake, can lower blood sugar up to 60% (depending on how many carbohydrates you eat).

Controlling hyperglycemia is done by lowering the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream, also known as prevention through healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. Controlling medication can be used to keep blood glucose levels within the normal range if they're too high or too low. For patients with diabetes, controlling insulin dosage or adding diabetes medications may help to control hyperglycemia more effectively than diet alone. It's important for people on any medication regime not to change the dosage on their own but instead check with their doctor first so as not to put themselves at risk for adverse side effects that may result from improperly regulated dosages.

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Diabetes Symptoms in Men: Early Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges worldwide, and men are particularly vulnerable to its long-term complications. In India, the burden of diabetes has increased sharply over the past two decades, driven by lifestyle changes, sedentary habits and dietary patterns. Despite this, many men remain unaware of early diabetes symptoms or delay medical consultation until complications develop.

Understanding diabetes symptoms in men is essential for early diagnosis, effective management and prevention of serious health consequences.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar levels due to:

insufficient insulin production
ineffective insulin action
or both

The most common form affecting men is type 2 diabetes, which is strongly linked to lifestyle factors.

Why Men Are at Higher Risk

Several factors increase diabetes risk in men:

higher abdominal fat accumulation
smoking and alcohol consumption
irregular eating patterns
work-related stress
lower healthcare-seeking behaviour

According to Indian Council of Medical Research data, a significant proportion of men remain undiagnosed until advanced stages.

Early Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Frequent Urination

Excess sugar in the blood causes kidneys to work harder, leading to increased urination, especially at night.

Excessive Thirst

Frequent urination leads to dehydration, causing constant thirst.

Fatigue and Weakness

Cells cannot utilise glucose efficiently, resulting in low energy levels and persistent tiredness.

Unexplained Weight Changes

Men may experience unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased appetite.

Increased Hunger

Insulin resistance prevents glucose from entering cells, triggering frequent hunger.

Diabetes Symptoms Unique or Commonly Seen in Men

Erectile Dysfunction

Diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves, leading to erectile dysfunction.

Studies show a strong association between diabetes and male sexual health problems.

Reduced Testosterone Levels

Men with diabetes often have lower testosterone, affecting libido, muscle mass and mood.

Decreased Muscle Strength

Poor glucose utilisation affects muscle health and physical stamina.

Skin and Infection-Related Symptoms

Slow-Healing Wounds

High blood sugar impairs wound healing, increasing infection risk.

Frequent Infections

Men with diabetes are more prone to:

skin infections
urinary tract infections
fungal infections

Vision and Nerve Symptoms

Blurred Vision

Fluctuating blood sugar affects eye lenses, causing blurred vision.

Tingling or Numbness

Nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, causes tingling or numbness in hands and feet.

Why Diabetes Symptoms Are Often Ignored by Men

Many men dismiss symptoms as:

work-related fatigue
ageing
stress

This delay increases the risk of complications.

Long-Term Complications of Untreated Diabetes

If untreated, diabetes can lead to:

heart disease
kidney failure
nerve damage
vision loss
sexual dysfunction

According to WHO and Lancet studies, early detection significantly reduces complication risk.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis allows:

better blood sugar control
lifestyle modification
prevention of organ damage

Routine screening is crucial, even in the absence of symptoms.

When Should Men Get Tested?

Men should consider testing if they:

are over 30 years old
have a family history of diabetes
are overweight
have a sedentary lifestyle
experience any warning signs

Annual screening is recommended for at-risk individuals.

Managing Diabetes After Diagnosis

Effective management includes:

healthy diet
regular physical activity
weight control
stress management
medical treatment as advised

Early management improves quality of life.

Role of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on:

early screening
lifestyle intervention
regular follow-up

According to NITI Aayog, preventive strategies are essential to control India’s diabetes burden.

Mental Health and Diabetes in Men

Diabetes can affect mental wellbeing, leading to:

stress
anxiety
depression

Addressing emotional health improves diabetes outcomes.

Breaking the Stigma Around Men’s Health

Men often avoid seeking help due to stigma.

Promoting awareness helps:

normalise health conversations
encourage timely medical care
reduce preventable complications

Conclusion

Diabetes symptoms in men often develop gradually and may go unnoticed for years. Frequent urination, fatigue, unexplained weight changes and sexual health issues should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and timely management significantly reduce the risk of serious complications and improve long-term health outcomes. Awareness, routine screening and proactive healthcare are essential steps for men to protect their health and wellbeing in an era of rising lifestyle diseases.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Diabetes Epidemiology and Risk Studies
World Health Organization (WHO) – Diabetes Prevention and Management Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Diabetes Prevalence in Men
Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology – Male-Specific Diabetes Outcomes
NITI Aayog – Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Reports
Statista – Global Diabetes Trends and Gender Differences

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