High Blood Sugar Symptoms - Hyperglycemia

One of the problems that go along with diabetes is hyperglycemia. This is a serious problem if left untreated and is a major cause of diabetes complications.

The medical term used for high blood glucose (sugar) is hyperglycemia that happens when the body has too little, or not enough insulin or is not able to use the insulin properly.

If the blood sugar level is higher than 200 mg/dL then it may indicate hyperglycemia.

What are the causes of high blood sugar?

Some of the factors that cause hyperglycemia are:

• Eating more food than is mentioned in your planned diet
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Taking less of the oral agent or insulin than required
• Emotional stress (workplace challenges or family conflicts)
• Exercising less than required/planned
• Certain medications
• Physical stress (cold, flu or infection)
• Surgery
• Injury

What are the symptoms and signs associated with high blood sugar?

High blood sugar has only a few or no symptoms are all. The common symptoms are:

• Frequency in urination
• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Urination at night
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Loss of weight
• Increase in appetite
• Slow healing of wounds
• Blurriness in vision
• Dry and itchy skin

There are times when the blood sugar levels become very high or has been high for a long time, in such cases, there are a few additional symptoms, they are:

• Rapid loss in weight
• Unconsciousness
• Increased confusion or drowsiness
• Breathing difficulty
• Dizziness when you stand up
• Coma

What should I do when I have these signs and symptoms?

If you experience any of these symptoms and signs, first check you blood sugar. If the result comes out normal, then use a home testing kit to check for ketones and glucose. If the urine test comes out positive, your body may have begun making the changes that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. At this time it is advisable to visit the doctor so that he/she can help lower your blood sugar safely.

The steps to be followed are:

• Eat less and avoid sugary beverages. Contact your dietician or doctor if you are facing trouble sticking to your meal plan.
• Take your medicines as directed by the physician. When you consult your physician he/she may adjust the timing or dosage of your medication.
• Exercise, as this is an effective way to reduce blood sugar, but there are reservations because the presence of ketones in the urine can drive your blood sugar even higher.

What are the complications linked to hyperglycemia?

Some of the problems that can occur are:

• Eye trouble: Small blood vessels that are located in your eyes can become damaged because of diabetes. Problems like this lie unnoticed for some time, it is thus a good idea to have an eye test performed each year.
• Kidney problems: Kidney problems also occur as a result of diabetes.

Diabetes or high blood sugar that affect the kidneys create problems that include:

• An accumulation of waste products in your blood
• Kidney failure
• Expulsion of protein and amino acids
• Waste products are retained in the body instead of being transported out by urinating
• Leg or foot amputation