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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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Only Health-Based Rewards: Why Wellness-Focused Incentives Drive Healthier Workplaces

Corporate rewards have traditionally focused on monetary incentives, gift cards or generic perks. However, organisations are increasingly realising that such rewards offer only short-lived motivation. Only health-based rewards, such as massages, gym bags and fitness trackers, represent a more effective approach to corporate wellness by reinforcing healthy behaviours that deliver long-term benefits.

In India, where lifestyle diseases are rising rapidly among working professionals, aligning rewards with health outcomes is no longer optional.

What Are Health-Based Rewards?

Health-based rewards are incentives designed specifically to improve or support employee wellbeing.

They focus on:

physical health
mental wellbeing
preventive care
recovery and stress relief

Unlike cash incentives, they encourage repeated healthy actions.

Why Traditional Rewards Fall Short

Cash rewards and generic gifts:

provide temporary satisfaction
do not influence daily habits
fail to support long-term wellbeing

Behavioural studies show that incentives disconnected from health goals have limited preventive impact.

The Case for Only Health-Based Rewards

Health-based rewards directly reinforce behaviours such as:

regular physical activity
stress management
recovery and self-care
preventive health participation

WHO workplace health guidelines emphasise incentives that promote sustained behaviour change.

Types of Effective Health-Based Rewards

Massages and Recovery Therapies

Massage therapy:

reduces muscle tension
lowers stress hormones
improves circulation

Monthly or quarterly massage rewards support physical and mental recovery.

Gym Bags and Fitness Gear

Practical fitness accessories:

encourage regular workouts
reduce barriers to exercise
promote active lifestyles

Visible gear reinforces identity as a health-conscious individual.

Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers:

track steps, activity and sleep
create accountability
encourage daily movement

Data-driven feedback increases participation and motivation.

Psychological Impact of Health-Based Rewards

Health rewards create:

intrinsic motivation
positive habit reinforcement
long-term lifestyle shifts

Unlike cash, they associate rewards with self-care rather than consumption.

Impact on Employee Health Outcomes

Regular participation in wellness incentives leads to:

improved physical activity levels
reduced stress
better sleep patterns

ICMR data links activity-based interventions with lower lifestyle disease risk.

Benefits for Employers

Reduced Healthcare Costs

Preventive health rewards reduce chronic disease burden over time.

Improved Productivity

Healthy employees demonstrate:

better focus
fewer sick days
higher energy levels

Stronger Wellness Culture

Health-first rewards signal genuine organisational commitment.

EY-FICCI reports show preventive wellness programs deliver measurable ROI within 12–18 months.

Why Health-Based Rewards Work Better in India

Indian workplaces face:

long working hours
sedentary routines
high stress levels

Health rewards directly address these risks rather than ignoring them.

Aligning Rewards With Preventive Healthcare

Health-based rewards complement:

health screenings
fitness challenges
mental wellbeing programs

This integrated approach strengthens outcomes.

Avoiding Pitfalls in Reward Design

Effective programs:

avoid one-size-fits-all rewards
offer choice within health categories
ensure inclusivity

Poorly designed incentives reduce engagement.

Measuring Success of Health-Based Rewards

Success indicators include:

participation rates
health screening uptake
employee feedback
reduced absenteeism

Data-driven evaluation improves program effectiveness.

Long-Term Behaviour Change

Sustained wellness improvement requires:

consistency
reinforcement
meaningful incentives

Health-based rewards support gradual but lasting change.

Role of Leadership Support

Leadership participation:

increases credibility
boosts engagement
normalises wellness culture

When leaders embrace health rewards, employees follow.

Health-Based Rewards and Mental Wellbeing

Rewards such as massages and fitness trackers:

reduce burnout
improve mood
enhance resilience

Creating a Preventive Wellness Ecosystem

Only health-based rewards work best when combined with:

education
screenings
access to care

WHO emphasises integrated wellness ecosystems for maximum impact.

Conclusion

Only health-based rewards represent a strategic shift from short-term perks to long-term wellbeing investments. Incentives such as massages, gym bags and fitness trackers actively promote healthy habits, reduce lifestyle disease risk and strengthen workplace wellness culture. By aligning rewards with preventive health goals, organisations create meaningful engagement, healthier employees and sustainable productivity gains. Health-focused incentives are not just rewards—they are tools for lasting wellbeing.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Workplace Health Reports
World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion and Incentives
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Lifestyle Risk Factors
Lancet – Behavioural Incentives and Preventive Health Studies
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Workforce Wellbeing
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Productivity Reports
Statista – Employee Wellness Incentive Trends

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