Old age comes with a lot of health issues especially those that do not monitor or go for regular checkup. Of recent, one of the most common diseases among the elderly one is the hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia refers to high levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. It occurs when the body does not produce or use enough insulin, which is a hormone that absorbs glucose into cells for use as energy.
Findings from various undergraduate project topicsshow that high blood sugar is a leading indicator of hyperglycemia. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) affects people who have diabetes. Several factors can contribute to hyperglycemia in people with diabetes, including food and physical activity choices, illness, nondiabetes medications, or skipping or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication. It's important to treat hyperglycemia, because if left untreated, hyperglycemia can become severe and lead to serious complications requiring emergency care, such as a diabetic coma. In the long term, persistent hyperglycemia, even if not severe, can lead to complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
The rate of metabolism and exercises are at the reduced state when people start aging. But the intake of calories seems the same. Most people consume more calories than they should; thereby leering to high sugar level and weight gain. It is advisable that at old age certain food should no longer be consumed by the elderly.
There are so many things that high calories intake can cause and one of them is diabetes and high blood pressure. The mortality rate as regard high blood pressure is on the increase in Nigeria. There is every need for improved medical and health facilities in Nigeria.

Causes of hyperglycemia

Your blood sugar may rise if you:
• Skip or forget your insulin or oral glucose-lowering medicine
• Eat too many grams of carbohydrates for the amount of insulin you took, or eat too many carbs in general
• Have an infection
• Are ill
• Are under stress
• Become inactive or exercise less than usual
• Take part in strenuous physical activity, especially when your blood sugar levels are high and insulin levels are low

Signs And Symptoms Of Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia doesn't cause symptoms until glucose values are significantly elevated — usually above 180 to 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Symptoms of hyperglycemia develop slowly over several days or weeks. The longer blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious the symptoms become. However, some people who've had type 2 diabetes for a long time may not show any symptoms despite elevated blood sugar levels. Recognizing early signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia can help you treat the condition promptly. Watch for:
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Headache
Later signs and symptoms
If hyperglycemia goes untreated, it can cause toxic acids (ketones) to build up in your blood and urine (ketoacidosis). Signs and symptoms include:
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Dry mouth
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Coma
• Abdominal pain
How to avoid hyperglycemia
The best way to avoid hyperglycemia is basically homemade remedies. Some of the best homemade safeties guides are eat fewer calories, less carbohydrate, exercise regularly but not intense. There is also need to work on your feeding habits.