High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia): Symptoms, Causes and When to Get Care

What it involves

MedlinePlus explains that hyperglycemia means high blood glucose, or blood sugar, and that it most often affects people who have diabetes, when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it the right way, so too much glucose stays in the blood instead of reaching the cells. Less commonly, people without diabetes can get it.

Who this is for

• Adults with diabetes whose home readings have been running high or whose symptoms have returned
• Patients with prediabetes or a family history of diabetes who notice thirst or frequent urination
• People who feel unusually tired or thirsty and have blurred vision that comes and goes
• Anyone whose blood sugar was high during a recent illness, a stressful time or a change in medicines

What to expect

• Questions about thirst, urination, vision, appetite, medicines, meals and any recent illness
• A review of your home glucose readings or a blood sugar check, along with your blood pressure and weight
• Blood work, which can include an A1C, a metabolic panel and cholesterol, and a urinalysis when useful
• An updated plan for meals, activity and medicines if you have diabetes, or a diabetes evaluation if you do not

What blood glucose does

MedlinePlus explains that blood glucose is the main sugar in your blood and your body's primary source of energy, and it comes from the food you eat. When glucose rises it signals the pancreas to release insulin, a hormone that helps glucose get into the cells to be used for energy. In diabetes the body does not make enough insulin, cannot use it as well as it should, or both. The prediabetes and A1C guide covers the stage before diabetes is diagnosed.

Symptoms MedlinePlus lists

The symptoms of hyperglycemia include feeling thirsty, feeling tired or weak, headaches, urinating often and blurred vision. If you have diabetes and often have high glucose or these symptoms, MedlinePlus says to talk with your health care team, because you may need a change in your meal plan, activity plan or medicines. The excessive thirst guide, the frequent urination guide and the blurry vision guide each describe one of these on its own.

What causes it

For people with diabetes, MedlinePlus says hyperglycemia can follow eating too much food or the wrong foods, not taking medicines correctly, or not getting physical activity, and it can also happen when you are stressed or sick. Less commonly, people without diabetes get it from problems with the pancreas or adrenal glands, certain medicines and severe illnesses. The low blood sugar guide covers the opposite problem, which has its own warning signs and needs a different response.

When it becomes dangerous

Untreated, hyperglycemia can cause other problems, and long-term high glucose in people with diabetes leads to serious complications. MedlinePlus says that when glucose gets very high the liver breaks down fat for fuel and produces acids called ketones, which can build up to dangerous levels and cause diabetic ketoacidosis. Its symptoms include trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, belly pain, confusion and feeling very tired or sleepy. Moderate or high ketones, or no way to test, mean contacting your provider right away or getting emergency help. Long-standing high blood sugar can also slow the stomach, as the gastroparesis symptoms guide explains.

How a provider checks

People with diabetes usually check glucose daily with a meter or a continuous glucose monitor, and MedlinePlus says providers can also use blood tests to see if glucose is too high. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen lists blood work among its services, and the basic metabolic panel guide and the urinalysis guide explain two tests that often go along with a blood sugar visit. Treatment of a dangerous episode, with fluids through a vein and insulin, happens in the hospital. Anyone who has been told their sugar is high can follow up with a regular provider, and primary care in Loxahatchee can order blood work and talk through the next steps with you.

Treatment and prevention

For diabetes, MedlinePlus says prevention is managing it: follow your meal plan, get regular physical activity, take medicines correctly, check glucose regularly and keep regular checkups with your health care team. The practice lists diabetes management among its services, and the living with diabetes guide describes how ongoing visits work. If you have symptoms and no diabetes diagnosis, MedlinePlus says to see your provider to find out the cause and how to treat it. High blood sugar with weight gain around the belly, easy bruising and high blood pressure can be linked to excess cortisol, described in the Cushing syndrome guide.

Sources

• MedlinePlus: Hyperglycemia (health topic)