HYPERGLYCEMIA

Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood of people with diabetes. Frequent or ongoing hyperglycemia can cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and organs, and result in serious complications such as blindness, foot gangrene, heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.

Your blood sugar level may rise if you:

  • Skip or forget your insulin or oral glucose-lowering medicine
  • Eat too many grams of carbohydrates for the amount of insulin you took, or eat too many carbs in general
  • Have an infection
  • Are ill
  • Are under stress
  • Become inactive or exercise less than usual
  • Take part in strenuous physical activity, especially when your blood sugar levels are high and insulin levels are low

There are two main types of hyperglycemia:

1. Fasting hyperglycemia. This is blood sugar that’s higher than 130 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours.

2. Postprandial or after-meal hyperglycemia. This is blood sugar that’s higher than 180 mg/dL 2 hours after you eat. People without diabetes rarely have blood sugar levels over 140 mg/dL after a meal, unless it’s really large.

 

Early signs of hyperglyecmia include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Headaches
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent peeing
  • Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
  • Weight loss
  • Blood sugar more than 180 mg/dL

 

Ongoing hyperglycemia may cause:

  • Vaginal and skin infections
  • Slow-healing cuts and sores
  • Worse vision
  • Nerve damage causing painful cold or insensitive feet, loss of hair on the lower extremities, or erectile dysfunction
  • Stomach and intestinal problems such as chronic constipation or diarrhea
  • Damage to your eyes, blood vessels, or kidneys

DIAGNOSIS

There are different kinds of blood tests that can diagnose hyperglycemia. These include

  • Random blood glucose: this test reflects the blood sugar level at a given point in time. Normal values are generally between 70 and 125 mg/dL, as discussed earlier.
  • Fasting blood glucose: this is a measurement of blood sugar level taken in the early morning prior to eating or drinking anything since the night before. Normal fasting blood glucose levels are less than 100 mg/dL. Levels above 100 mg/dL up to 125 mg/dL suggest prediabetes, while levels of 126 mg/dL or above are diagnostic of diabetes.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test: this is a test that measures blood glucose levels at given time points after a dose of sugar is consumed. This test is most commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes.
  • Glycohemoglobin A1c: is a measurement of glucose that is bound to red blood cells and provides an indication about blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.


TREATMENT

Your doctor may suggest the following treatments:

  • Get physical. Regular exercise is often an effective way to control your blood sugar. However, don’t exercise if ketones are present in your urine. This can drive your blood sugar even higher.
  • Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of hyperglycemia, your doctor may adjust the dosage or timing of your medication.
  • Follow your diabetes eating plan. It helps to eat less and avoid sugary beverages. If you’re having trouble sticking to your meal plan, ask your doctor or dietitian for help.
  • Check your blood sugar. Monitor your blood glucose as directed by your doctor. Check more frequently if you’re ill or you’re concerned about severe hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
  • Adjust your insulin doses to control hyperglycemia. Adjustments to your insulin program or a supplement of short-acting insulin can help control hyperglycemia. A supplement is an extra dose of insulin used to help temporarily correct a high blood sugar level. Ask your doctor how often you need an insulin supplement if you have high blood sugar.

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