Postprandial Glucose: What is it? Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

People who do not have diabetes can produce insulin naturally. On the other hand, people with type 2 diabetes can not make enough insulin.

It is a condition in which a person has extremely high blood glucose levels after eating.

Usually, blood glucose levels increase slightly after eating food. Glucose is a form of sugar that is one of the primary sources of energy for the body. We obtain glucose from foods rich in carbohydrates, such as rice, bread, milk, and potatoes.

When we eat these foods, our body breaks them down into glucose that is then transported to various body tissues through the bloodstream.

However, for glucose to enter the body’s cells and be used as energy, it requires insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas.

This natural hormone is responsible for transporting glucose to body tissues, such as fat and muscle cells. Because of this, they may experience postprandial hyperglycemia (after the meal).

It is considered postprandial hyperglycemia when your blood glucose levels exceed 180 mg / dL. For non-diabetics, blood glucose levels rarely go beyond 140 mg / dL after eating.

 

However, if you eat a large meal containing many carbohydrates, your postprandial glucose levels can reach up to 180 mg / DL.

Postprandial hyperglycemia is a challenge for people with diabetes who aspire to achieve a stable blood sugar level. High blood glucose levels can cause serious health complications, including damage to the nerves, kidneys, and blood vessels.

People with diabetes can receive insulin injections to help them stabilize their blood glucose levels.

Signs and symptoms

Several factors can contribute to the symptoms of food. It is likely that people who experience physiological stress experience postprandial hyperglycemia. This is because when your body is under stress, it releases several hormones, which can increase your blood glucose levels.

Certain types of medications such as epinephrine, corticosteroids, and niacin may contribute to the risk of food.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of food. Patients with diabetes mellitus do not produce enough insulin to absorb and process sugar (glucose) in the blood.

When your blood sugar level is high, you may feel a cloudy head, making concentrating and concentrating difficult.

You can also get cranky or feel nervous. If you experience these symptoms, you must seek medical attention immediately. High blood sugar can cause health complications, such as heart disease and stroke if left untreated.

The following are signs and symptoms of postprandial hyperglycemia:

  • Blurry vision.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weightloss.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Increased thirst.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Frequent urination

Treatment

The main objective of the treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia is to bring blood glucose to levels as high as possible in three components of glycemic control, i.e., the peak of glucose after meals, HbA1, and fasting glucose.

So you can effectively treat it after the meal, you must work to prevent it. If you are using insulin medications, your doctor may need to adjust your dose to avoid the risk of postprandial hyperglycemia in the future.

If you have diabetes or not, it is recommended that you exercise regularly to maintain a healthy blood glucose level.

Your doctor can advise you to adopt a healthy diet plan to avoid the risk of a meal after a meal.

Your diet plan may include reducing your alcohol consumption, carbohydrate intake, and the inclusion of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. Because postprandial hyperglycemia occurs after meals, you must consume the correct types and amounts of carbohydrates.

In case you have problems with your meal plans, you can check with your dietitian about the best diet plan that works for you. Managing your stress levels can also help you prevent food.

Drugs for postprandial hyperglycemia

For patients with type 2 diabetes, several medications are designed for postprandial hyperglycemia.

Short-acting insulins are preferable to long-acting insulin because of their ability to start work in a short period. You can take insulin regularly for at least half an hour to one hour before meals so that the glucose rise and insulin peak match.

You can also use rapid-acting insulin such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart, or insulin glulisine 15 minutes before eating. In addition to insulin, type 2 diabetic patients can use oral medications to help control them after meals.

For example, miglitol and acarbose block enzymes that break down carbohydrates into sugar in the small intestine. Therefore, sugar slowly enters the blood, which gives insulin enough time to control it.

The drugs nateglinide and repaglinide work by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin based on the amount of glucose available in the blood. Therefore, more insulin will be released if too much glucose is in the bloodstream. Consequently, they can control the food.