CONTENTS

• EXPLANATION
• THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS
• FURTHER ASSESSMENT
• DOCUMENTATION

    Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood sugar. High blood sugar happens when the body has insufficient insulin, or when the body can't use insulin properly.  To understand the role of insulin in high blood sugar, it is necessary to understand certain aspects of pancreas physiology.

    The pancreas is an endocrine gland which is intimately involved in regulating blood sugar levels.
The pancreas functions as an endocrine gland by releasing the hormones insulin and glucagon directly into the bloodstream. These hormones play an important part in metabolizing sugar.  Most food is broken down by the digestive juices into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body.  After digestion, the glucose passes into the bloodstream where it is available for body cells to use for growth and energy. For the glucose to get into the cells, insulin must be present.  The pancreas is supposed to automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move the glucose from the blood into the cells. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the body cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.  As a result, glucose builds up in the blood and overflows into the urine.

    A number of factors can cause or contribute to hyperglycemia. For example, if you have type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes, you may not have given yourself enough insulin. If you have type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes, your body may have enough insulin, but is not as effective as it should be.  The problem could be that you ate more than planned, or exercised less than planned. The stress of an illness, such as a cold or flu, or an infection, can also contribute to high blood sugar.  Other stresses, such as family conflicts, work, social or financial problems, can trigger high blood sugar in persons predisposed to this imbalance.

    Edgar Cayce discussed the causes and treatment of high blood sugar in a many readings.  One common pattern of causation was pressure on nerve centers which influence pancreatic functioning.  Thus, treatment of the 5th through 9th thoracic centers was often suggested in cases involving high blood sugar (usually diagnosed as diabetes).  Dietary supplementation with Jerusalem artichoke is another common therapy in the Cayce readings on high blood sugar.  The Jerusalem artichoke is a source of inulin (not insulin), a chemical that is known to influence sugar metabolism in a manner similar to insulin.  The Basic Cayce Diet is likely to be helpful for this condition.

    Hyperglycemia is a major cause of many of the long term complications that happen to people who have diabetes.  Hyperglycemia can be a serious problem if left untreated because a condition
called ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) can occur.  Ketoacidosis develops when the body doesn't have enough insulin. Without insulin, the body can't use glucose for fuel so it breaks down fats to use for energy.  When the body breaks down fats, waste products called ketones are produced.  If ketones are allowed to accumulate, ketoacidosis can result.

MANUAL THERAPY

    Spinal manipulation manipulation to relieve pressures on nerve centers which pancreatic functioning.  The 5th through 9th thoracic nerve centers should receive special attention.
 

DIET

    The Basic Cayce Diet is likely to be helpful.  If the pancreas is not producing sufficient insulin, the Jerusalem artichoke may be helpful in regulating sugar levels.

    Options for further assessment include:

• Blood Glucose Test,
• Insulin Glucose Tolerance Test for blood/sugar imbalances,
• Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory
• 63 Zillicoa Street
• Asheville, NC
• (704) 253-0621