What is 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.
Symptoms
Hyperglycemia doesn't cause symptoms until glucose values are significantly elevated.
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.
Early signs and symptoms
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
When to see a doctor
Call emergency medical assistance if:
- You are sick and can't keep any food or fluids down
- Your blood glucose levels are persistently high and you have ketones in your urine
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- You experience ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, but you're able to take some foods or drinks
- You have a fever that lasts more than 24 hours
- Your blood glucose is high even though you've taken your diabetes medication
- You have trouble keeping your blood glucose within the desired range
Causes
Many factors can contribute to hyperglycemia,
Risk factorsinclude:
- Not using enough insulin or oral diabetes medication
- Not injecting insulin properly or using expired insulin
- Not following your diabetes eating plan
- Being inactive
- Having an illness or infection
- Using certain medications, such as steroids
- Being injured or having surgery
- Experiencing emotional stress
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373631
