High blood sugar can lead to severe complications over time. People with a history of chronic high blood glucose levels can develop problems with their eyes, kidneys, circulation or nerves.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is a condition where blood sugar levels are increased. Hyperglycemia is usually the first sign of diabetes mellitus.
Recently Answered
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Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain HealthcareSee All 2 AnswersIf you have type 2 diabetes, your body's cells have become resistant to insulin. So even though you have an insulin "key," it's as if the cell "lock" is broken so that glucose can't easily get in. (Insulin allows glucose to cross out of your bloodstream and go into your body's cells -- it's like a key that "unlocks" the cells.) Glucose stays in your bloodstream and blood glucose gets too high. Over time, some people with type 2 diabetes also develop trouble making enough insulin (insulin deficiency). This is the same problem that people with type 1 diabetes have. -
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American Diabetes Association answeredIf you have type 2 diabetes, your blood glucose targets are not that different from those of people with type 1. However, the way you reach those targets may be different. Talk to your health care provider about strategies you may need to pursue. -
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See All 2 AnswersThere's not usually a reason for someone to have elevated blood sugar if they don't have diabetes, says Holly Anderson, Outpatient Diabetes Coordinator at Reston Hospital Center. Watch this video to learn more.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 2 Answers
If you experience any of the following signs of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome, you need to check your blood glucose level at once and call your health care provider. Be sure those around you know what to do, because you may not be able to react:
• dry, parched mouth
• extreme thirst, although this may gradually disappear
• sleepiness or confusion
• warm, dry skin with no sweating
• high blood glucose. If it’s over 300 mg/dl on two readings, call your
health care team; if it’s over 500 mg/dl, have someone take you to the
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William Lee Dubois , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answeredSee All 3 AnswersWhen the bloodstream becomes flooded with sugar that can’t get into the cells that need it, a cascade of trouble follows.
At first, high blood sugar levels sap your energy, make your vision blurry, and mess with your mood and concentration. You will be more susceptible to infection, to heart attacks and strokes, and if you’re male—to erectile dysfunction. In short, high blood sugar levels pretty much screw up your entire mind and body. And that’s just the beginning.
High levels of sugar in your blood make it corrosive, turning the life-sustaining soup into a killing battery acid circulating throughout your body. Sustained high blood sugar levels will destroy your kidneys, cause blindness, and kindle nerve damage. You’ll heal from injuries slowly, if at all, putting you at risk for lower extremity amputations. -
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Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain HealthcareIf you think your blood glucose is high (hyperglycemia), do this right away:
1. Check blood glucose. This helps make sure that the symptoms are coming from high blood glucose, not something else.
If your blood glucose is high, take your correction dose of insulin. Follow your doctor's instructions for taking this dose. Correction doses are usually given as needed at mealtimes and bedtime, and not more frequently than every three to four hours.
2. If your blood glucose is over 300 mg/dL at least twice in a row (checking at your regular times), also check for ketones in your urine. Use the ketone test strips (such as Keto-Diastix and Chemstrip uGK) from the pharmacy. Follow the instructions exactly -- collect urine in the sample cup, dip the strip in the urine, and wait 60 seconds before matching the strip to the color chart to see if you have ketones.
3a. If ketones are present and you are not vomiting (throwing up):- Take your correction dose if you haven't already done so.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Recheck your urine for ketones every two to four hours until they are negative.
- Call your doctor or diabetes educator for advice.
- Take your correction dose if you haven't already done so.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Recheck your urine for ketones every two to four hours until they are negative.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 5 AnswersHyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (sugar), which happens from time to time to all people who have diabetes. High blood glucose happens when the body has too little insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly. It is a major cause of complications with diabetes.
Hyperglycemia is a condition in which blood glucose levels are too high. Generally, fasting levels above 130 mg/dl and above 180 mg/dl 2 hours after a meal. Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss.
You can cope with hyperglycemia by understanding the following concepts:
Check blood glucose levels to determine when your level is high.
Learn to identify the symptoms of hyperglycemia so you can treat it quickly.
When high, lower your blood glucose level by exercising, unless ketones are present in your urine. -
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 2 AnswersA 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.
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HealthyWomen answeredHigh blood sugar can be dangerous. When blood sugar levels start to creep up, risk increases for everything from heart and kidney disease to dementia, nerve damage and early death. A person doesn't even have to be officially diagnosed with diabetes to be in trouble. A condition called "insulin resistance," in which your cells prevent insulin from "unlocking" the door so energy in the form of glucose can enter, also increases the risk of heart disease, as does full-blown diabetes.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org.