Why are blood sugar spikes bad?

Moonpie · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:06 AM

I need this info , so I can repeat it to myself when I eat out

Last night Dh took me out, I ordered a turkey dinner , with 2 veg as sides, but it came with cornbread stuffing ( yum) so I only ate about a quarter of the stuffing, & did not test when we got home, I just went to sleep. But what damage do bs spikes do? I am not going to beat myself up over last nihgt, but I need to know, for future reference.

foxl · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:11 AM

Vascular damage. To the linings of your blood vessels.

My hospital endo gave me one really good visual ... "Imagine giving your kids shards of glass and rusty nails, and letting them run through your house, scraping them along the walls. THAT is the damage from high blood sugar, to your arteries."

I did not like him or his recommendations, but man that sticks with me!

fgummett · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:14 AM

High BG levels are toxic to many systems in the body... including killing off beta cells.

Think of a house-plant that thrives if you give it just the right amount of water, light, heat, plant-food etc... too much or too little of any of those and things tend to go brown, crinkly and drop off. In the same way the human body has normal ranges for many systems (homeostasis)... for example you may have heard of "febrile convulsions" when someone's body temperature is too high, or hypothermia if too low. BG is much the same... that is why the body tries to maintain a level with a the normal range.

But I'd also not beat myself up over an occasional night where BG control is less than perfect.

foxl · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgummett

High BG levels are toxic to many systems in the body... including killing off beta cells.

Oh, yeah, that, too.

Brain too.

Moonpie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:28 AM

thanks, the visual of the nails in the arteries will help alot, I already ask myself, when someone tries to give me a cookie, do I wnat a cookie or my foot.? My Dr did not give me anything to go on, I hope she will be more informative on my next visit. All she said was no rice, no bread & no pasta, here is your prescription & walked out of the room, That is why this forum is so great, helpful & full of knowledge.

foxl · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:31 AM

Moonpie, Type 2's are by far more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. It is much more common than foot, eye, or renal problems. As in heart attack. Stroke.

Moonpie · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 01:48 PM

well that is scary to me as I already had one stroke ( in hospital)

foxl · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonpie

well that is scary to me as I already had one stroke ( in hospital)

I had not noticed that in your signature!

But, you are now controlling your blood sugar better, right? So that helps.

Moonpie · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 04:48 PM

Yes, I am surprising myself with my sticking to the low carb diet ( most of the time) I didn't think I could do it ( love those carbs) but making the OMM has helped alot, getting rid of the bread craving. I still need to get better control, but don't see Dr till Jan.