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

What Is Hyperglycemia, And How Is It Controlled?

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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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Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetics plays a significant role in determining an individual’s risk for various diseases. In India, where chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders are increasing rapidly, genetic predisposition testing has emerged as a powerful preventive tool. It helps individuals understand inherited risk factors long before symptoms appear, allowing timely intervention.

SecondMedic offers guided genetic screening to help patients uncover DNA-based risks and take proactive control of their long-term health.

What Is Genetic Predisposition Testing?

Genetic predisposition testing analyzes a person’s DNA to identify mutations, variations, or inherited markers associated with increased disease risk. It does not diagnose a disease but reveals how likely an individual is to develop certain conditions.

What the test identifies:

  • Gene mutations
     

  • Family-linked disease patterns
     

  • Hereditary cancer markers
     

  • Metabolic and cardiovascular risks
     

  • Neurological conditions
     

  • Autoimmune predispositions
     

These insights help individuals and doctors make informed preventive health decisions.

Why Genetic Testing Is Growing in India

1. High prevalence of lifestyle and hereditary diseases

India is the diabetes capital of the world, and many metabolic disorders have genetic roots.

2. Increasing cancer burden

BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes are being detected more often.

3. Awareness about preventive healthcare

People want to act early rather than wait for disease onset.

4. Growth of digital healthcare

Easy access through telemedicine platforms like SecondMedic.

5. Rising chronic cases at younger ages

Genetic predispositions often accelerate early onset of disease.

What Diseases Can Genetic Testing Predict?

1. Cancer Risk

Includes hereditary cancers such as:

  • Breast
     

  • Ovarian
     

  • Colorectal
     

  • Prostate
     

  • Pancreatic
     

BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome genes are key markers.

2. Heart Disease & Hypertension

Genes that influence:

  • Cholesterol levels
     

  • Plaque formation
     

  • Blood pressure regulation
     

3. Diabetes

Genes that affect insulin sensitivity and metabolic function.

4. Obesity

Markers linked to appetite regulation and fat storage.

5. Neurological Disorders

Including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy predispositions.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Genes related to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders.

7. Drug Response (Pharmacogenomics)

DNA determines how the body reacts to certain medications.

How Genetic Predisposition Testing Works

Step 1: Sample Collection

Usually saliva, blood, or buccal swab.

Step 2: DNA Sequencing

Advanced technology identifies variations in your genome.

Step 3: Risk Analysis

Gene mutations are mapped to known disease risks.

Step 4: Expert Interpretation

SecondMedic’s genetic counsellors and doctors review results.

Step 5: Preventive Plan

Includes recommended lifestyle changes, screenings, and monitoring.

Benefits of Genetic Predisposition Testing

1. Detect Risk Before Symptoms

Allows decades of preventive action.

2. Personalized Health Planning

Diet, exercise, and medical screening tailored to DNA.

3. Early Cancer Detection

Essential for women with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk.

4. Family Health Insights

Identifies conditions that may affect children and siblings.

5. Improved Treatment Outcomes

Knowing your risk helps doctors monitor you more closely.

6. Better Drug Selection

Pharmacogenomics ensures medications match your genetic profile.

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing?

  • People with family history of cancer
     

  • Individuals whose relatives had early heart attacks
     

  • Families with diabetes across generations
     

  • Women with breast or ovarian cancer history
     

  • Couples planning pregnancy
     

  • People with unexplained chronic conditions
     

  • Individuals wanting personalized preventive healthcare
     

Limitations of Genetic Testing

1. Not a diagnosis

It shows probability, not certainty.

2. Environmental and lifestyle factors still matter

Genes interact with habits and environment.

3. Requires professional interpretation

Raw results without counselling can be confusing.

SecondMedic ensures accurate guidance through experienced specialists.

How SecondMedic Supports Genetic Testing

1. End-to-End Genetic Screening

From sample collection to detailed analysis.

2. Expert Review

Genetic counselors and doctors explain every risk factor.

3. Personalized Preventive Plan

Nutrition, exercise, and screening based on DNA.

4. Confidential Reporting

All data is securely stored.

5. Integrated Preventive Tracking

Follow-up tests and monitoring for high-risk individuals.

Future of Genetic Testing in India

  • AI-based genome interpretation
     

  • Affordable whole-genome sequencing
     

  • Predictive analytics for early cancer
     

  • Family-wide health risk mapping
     

  • Integration with digital health IDs under ABDM
     

SecondMedic aims to make genetic screening widely accessible and scientifically guided.

Conclusion

Genetic predisposition testing India empowers individuals by revealing inherited disease risks long before symptoms develop. It supports preventive healthcare, early cancer detection, and personalized wellness planning. With platforms like SecondMedic offering expert-guided genetic testing, Indians can now take proactive control of their long-term health.

To book your genetic test, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

  • ICMR – Genetic research insights
     

  • NIH – Genetic testing guidelines
     

  • WHO – Genomic medicine developments
     

  • Statista – DNA testing market India
     

  • SecondMedic genetic health studies

See all

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