Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (blood sugar). High blood glucose happens when the body has too little insulin or when the body can't use insulin properly.
What causes hyperglycemia?
A number of things can cause hyperglycemia:
- If you have type 1, you may not have given yourself enough insulin.
- If you have type 2, your body may have enough insulin, but it is not as effective as it should be.
- You ate more than planned or exercised less than planned.
- You have stress from an illness, such as a cold or flu.
- You have other stress, such as family conflicts or school or dating problems.
- You may have experienced the dawn phenomenon (a surge of hormones that the body produces daily around 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.).
What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?
The signs and symptoms include the following:
- High blood glucose
- High levels of glucose in the urine
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
Part of managing your diabetes is checking your blood glucose often. Ask your doctor how often you should check and what your glucose sugar levels should be. Checking your blood and then treating high blood glucose early will help you avoid problems associated with hyperglycemia.
How do I treat hyperglycemia?
You can often lower your blood glucose level by exercising. However, if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, do not exercise.
Exercising when ketones are present may make your blood glucose level go even higher. You'll need to work with your doctor to find the safest way for you to lower your blood glucose level.
Cutting down on the amount of food you eat might also help. Work with your dietitian to make changes in your meal plan. If exercise and changes in your diet don't work, your doctor may change the amount of your medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when you take it.
What if it goes untreated?
Hyperglycemia can be a serious problem if you don't treat it, so it's important to treat as soon as you detect it. If you fail to treat hyperglycemia, a condition called ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) could occur. Ketoacidosis develops when your body doesn't have enough insulin. Without insulin, your body can't use glucose for fuel, so your body breaks down fats to use for energy.
When your body breaks down fats, waste products called ketones are produced. Your body cannot tolerate large amounts of ketones and will try to get rid of them through the urine. Unfortunately, the body cannot release all the ketones and they build up in your blood, which can lead to ketoacidosis.
Ketoacidosis is life-threatening and needs immediate treatment. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Breath that smells fruity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Very dry mouth
Talk to your doctor about how to handle this condition.
Medical IDs
Many people with diabetes, particularly those who use insulin, should have a medical ID with them at all times.
In the event of a severe hypoglycemic episode, a car accident, or other emergency, the medical ID can provide critical information about the person's health status, such as the fact that they have diabetes, whether or not they use insulin, whether they have any allergies, etc. Emergency medical personnel are trained to look for a medical ID when they are caring for someone who can't speak for themselves.
Medical IDs are usually worn as a bracelet or a necklace. Traditional IDs are etched with basic, key health information about the person, and some IDs now include compact USB drives that can carry a person's full medical record for use in an emergency.
How can I prevent hyperglycemia?
Your best bet is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hyperglycemia so you can treat it early—before it gets worse.
If you're new to type 2 diabetes, join our free Living With Type 2 Diabetes program to get help and support during your first year.
If your blood sugar is too high for too long, it can cause serious health problems. It’s something to be careful of whether you have diabetes or not. How high is too high? Your doctor will tell you what your target range should be and what to do if your levels aren’t in that range. If you have diabetes, you'll need to check your blood sugar, also called glucose, to know if it’s too high, too low, or meets your goal. The problems that high blood
sugar can cause happen over time. The sooner you get your levels back in line, the better. The symptoms can include: You might also feel more tired than usual, get infections on your skin, or notice that cuts and sores take a long
time to heal. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. High glucose levels can affect you from head to toe. If they're out of control for a long time, you could have some or all of the following: Pick up the phone if your blood sugar is high and you have any of these symptoms: These are symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Your body burns glucose for energy. When your cells don’t get enough of it, they
burn fat. That produces chemicals called ketones. When these build up, your blood becomes more acid-like. This can be life-threatening if it’s not treated. This mostly affects elderly people. As glucose builds up in your blood, your body tries to get rid of it through your urine. At first, you pee a lot. Over time, you pee less, but when you do, it’s very
dark. This condition can lead to dehydration, coma, and death. Get medical help right away if you have any of these warning signs: You can avoid many of these problems by keeping your blood sugar under
control. Follow your doctor’s advice about diet and exercise, take your medicine, keep up with your doctor visits, and check your levels often. Dangers of Uncontrolled Blood Sugar
What High Blood Sugar Feels Like
Complications
When to Call
Your Doctor
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)