What Happens In The Body When Blood Sugar Rises? Experts Warn About The Risks Of Hyperglycemia.

The uncontrolled increase in blood glucose, known as hyperglycemia, can develop without noticeable symptoms, but its effects can be devastating to key organs in the human body. This was warned by Sergio Alberto Mendoza Álvarez, a professor at the UNAM School of Medicine, in an interview with UNAM Global.

When fasting glucose levels exceed 100 milligrams per deciliter, the body enters an abnormal state. If there isn’t enough insulin—a hormone produced by the pancreas to transport sugar to the tissues that need it—glucose accumulates in the blood and ceases to be a source of energy and becomes a harmful agent.

What happens when glucose levels rise above normal?

After eating, carbohydrates are broken down and transformed into glucose during digestion. This glucose enters the bloodstream and, under normal conditions, is distributed throughout the body thanks to the action of insulin. However, in people with insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production, this mechanism fails.

The result: elevated blood sugar levels that cause inflammation in blood vessels and damage vital organs like the heart, brain, kidneys, and retina. This chronic condition can lead to complications such as diabetic foot, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and even heart attacks.

In extreme cases, patients may develop diabetic coma, an acute complication that occurs when glucose levels reach 250 to 600 milligrams per deciliter or higher. These spikes are often accompanied by severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe dehydration due to excessive urination, and electrolyte imbalances, such as potassium and calcium, which increase the risk of death.

Prevention and control: the key to avoiding hyperglycemia

Mendoza Álvarez emphasizes the importance of preventive medicine. People with a family history of diabetes should pay special attention to their lifestyle, engage in regular physical activity, and adopt a healthy diet to prevent their blood sugar levels from skyrocketing.

Regarding the treatment of hyperglycemia or type 2 diabetes, there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Among the latter, controlling carbohydrates in the daily diet is particularly important. Although certain foods do not taste sweet, they are converted into glucose when metabolized . Common examples include tortillas, flour, pasta, bread, fruits, and sugary drinks such as soda.

With a combination of good nutrition, regular exercise, and medical follow-up, it’s possible to keep glucose levels within healthy parameters and significantly reduce the risk of complications.