Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia:		Return

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose):

Hyperglycemia is a major cause of complications with Diabetes and it happens when the body has too little Insulin or when the body can't use the Insulin properly and it can happen to any person who has Diabetes; therefore, all Diabetics should check blood glucose levels to determine when their levels are high and learn to identify the symptoms of Hyperglycemia so that it can be treated quickly; your blood glucose levels can be lowered by exercising, unless Ketones are present in your urine.

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.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hyperglycemia?
Increased Thirst.
Increased Hunger.
Headaches.
Tiredness.
Feeling Sick.
Frequent Urination.
Blurred Vision.
Dry Skin.
High Blood Glucose.
High levels of Sugar in the Urine.

Part of managing your Diabetes is checking your blood glucose on a regular basis; ask your doctor how often you should check and what your blood glucose 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 high, 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 it as soon as you detect it; if you fail to treat Hyperglycemia, a condition called Ketoacidosis 'Diabetic Coma' could occur; this develops when your body doesn't have enough Insulin and without Insulin, your body can't use glucose for fuel, so your body breaks down fats instead to use for energy; when your body breaks down fats, waste products called Ketones are produced; unfortunately, your body cannot tolerate large amounts of Ketones and will try to get rid of them through the urine, but the body cannot release all of them and they build up in your blood, which can lead to ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis Is Life Threatening And Needs Immediate Treatment; The Symptoms Can Include:
Shortness of breath.
Breath that smells fruity.
Nausea and vomiting.
Very dry mouth.
Ketones give the breath a sickly, fruity odour like nail varnish remover or pear drops.

Talk to your doctor about how to handle this condition, but you can help tp prevent this by using good Diabetes management and learning how to detect Hyperglycemia so that you can treat it early, before it gets any worse.

Diabetes Related Information Leaflets