Question

Why is glucose homeostasis so important? What are symptoms of high/low blood glucose?

Answer 1

*Glucose homeostasis is very important to human health because of the central importance of glucose as a source of energy, and the fact that brain is only dependent upon glucose for its metabolism .

*Brain cannot utilise anything apart from glucose for its metabolism . Thus maintaining adequate glucose levels in the blood are necessary for survival. Normal glucose homeostasis is primarily maintained by glucagon and insulin.

*When blood glucose levels are high after feeding stage then Insulin is released from pancreatic islets and it lower the blood glucose levels and when blood glucose levels are on lower side then Counterregulatory hormones released that increase blood glucose .

*Other counterregulatory hormones are Growth hormone ,adrnaline ,cortisol etc .Thus insulin and Glucagon act together to maintain homerostasis .

1)Hyperglycaemia is state charcterised by increase in blood glucose levels seen in Diabetes mellitus .
If fasting blood glucose levels is more than 126 mg/dl and postprandial more than 200 mg/dl then it is hyperglycaemia.

Symptoms..
*Uncontrolled nausea ,vomiting
*Acute abdominal pain
*Acidotic breathing - Disproportionate dyspnea ( *Kussmuals breathing)
*Lethargy ,obtundation
*Increase Heart rate ,Increase Respiratory rate ,Low blood pressure Postural Hypotension
*These are typical classical features of Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Also
*Flushed ,dry skin
*Weak rapid pulse
*Laboured breathing
*Sweet fruity odour
*Polyuria ( excess urine )
*Polyphagia ( excess intake of food )
*Polydipsia ( excess thirst )

2)Hypoglycemia -When random blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dl
Any pateint with altered level of sensorium ,confusion or seizure should be screened for Hypoglycaemia .

Symptoms
Autonomic symptoms
Sweating
Trembling
Pounding heart
Hunger
Anxiety
Normal or high blood presure

Neurological
Confusion
Drowsiness
Inability to concentrate
Speech difficulty
Incordination

Respiratory
Normal or shallow breathing .

Non specific
Nausea
Tiredness
Headache
Pale cold clammy skin