Final answer:
Physical injury raises blood glucose due to stress hormones triggering the release of glucose and causing insulin resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical damage can raise blood glucose levels because the body responds to injury with a stress response. When the body is stressed, it releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which trigger the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream to provide energy for the 'fight or flight' response. Additionally, these stress hormones can cause insulin resistance, meaning that cells do not respond to insulin as effectively, which can also lead to elevated blood glucose levels.
Furthermore, the hormone glucagon is released from the pancreas when blood glucose levels are low, which stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis to increase the amount of glucose in the blood. In cases of chronic stress or injury, consistent elevation of glucose can lead to health issues such as atherosclerosis or even diabetes if the glucose remains high over time.