Final answer:
Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, leads to diabetes symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, and hunger due to the body's inability to absorb glucose efficiently, often treated with lifestyle changes and medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding High Blood Glucose in Diabetes Mellitus
When there is high glucose in the blood, a condition known as hyperglycemia, the body experiences a variety of symptoms due to impaired insulin function. In individuals with diabetes mellitus, this can be due to low levels of insulin production by the pancreas' beta cells or due to cells' reduced sensitivity to insulin. Consequently, glucose remains in the bloodstream rather than being absorbed by the cells, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, where the kidneys filter out excess glucose causing an increase in urine volume; increased thirst, as water in the body is used to dilute the urine, leading to dehydration; and increased hunger, since cells are unable to access the vital glucose for energy.
The glucose tolerance test is often used to confirm diabetes mellitus by observing hyperglycemia. Cells that become resistant to insulin do not absorb glucose efficiently, maintaining high sugar levels in blood. If left untreated, persistent high glucose can cause damage to various body systems, including the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as lead to nerve damage. Therefore, treating diabetes often involves lifestyle changes, blood glucose monitoring, and sometimes medication or insulin injections.