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High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)
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Hyperglycemia is a high level of sugar in the blood. Blood
sugar is also called glucose. How does it occur? Hyperglycemia in healthy people can occur after eating foods very high in sugar, for example, after drinking a large milk shake or eating a large dessert. This may result in a brief high blood sugar level, but the body will process the sugar and the level of sugar in the blood will soon return to normal. Hyperglycemia is the main problem if you have diabetes. If you have the form of diabetes called type 1 diabetes, it occurs because you do not have enough insulin to move sugar from the blood into all your cells. (Insulin is made by the pancreas.) In type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar usually occurs because the cells have become unable to use insulin. In both cases the sugar cannot move from the blood into the cells, so it builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia may occur if you are not diabetic but have another illness that makes it hard for your body to process sugar, such as an inflammation of the pancreas (called pancreatitis). This can also happen with some medicines, especially steroids. These conditions are usually temporary and your blood sugar usually becomes normal after you are no longer ill or your medicine can be stopped. What are the symptoms? Usually hyperglycemia causes no symptoms. However, if the blood sugar rises to 300 mg/dL or higher, symptoms may occur. Symptoms may include:
Severe hyperglycemia, blood sugars of 600 mg/dL or higher, can cause coma and even death. How is it diagnosed? The level of sugar in your blood can be measured with a blood test. The test should be done before breakfast, after several hours of no food or drink except water. This is called a fasting blood test.
The blood test should be repeated to confirm the diagnosis. How is it treated? Mild to moderate high blood sugar that has been confirmed by at least 2 tests can be treated in type 2 diabetes with:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body (pancreas) stops making insulin. Therefore the only treatment is insulin. Severe hyperglycemia is a medical emergency and must be treated right away, starting with IV (intravenous) fluids and insulin. You may need to stay several days at the hospital to get the blood sugar back to normal, to treat any problems caused by the high blood sugar, and to see if the cause of the high blood sugar is an infection or other illness. Severe hyperglycemia usually occurs:
How long will the effects last? How long hyperglycemia lasts depends on why it occurred and how well you follow the directions for controlling it. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition. Its symptoms increase or decrease depending on your response to the insulin and your diet and on how well you are able to control your blood sugar level. If you have type 2 diabetes, you will need to be careful about your diet, get enough exercise, and possibly take medicine to keep your blood sugar normal for the rest of your life. If you have diabetes and do not have proper treatment for it, you may develop a very dangerous complication called ketoacidosis. When your body cannot move sugar into your cells, the cells break down fat for energy. The fat byproducts (ketones) and high sugar level can cause ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening chemical imbalance and needs emergency treatment at the hospital. Fasting blood sugar levels in the prediabetes range, 100 to 125 mg/dL, can also become normal with a healthy diet and regular exercise, thus avoiding type 2 diabetes. But the potential for developing type 2 diabetes is always there. Hyperglycemia that occurs from medicines that you are taking usually goes away when the medicine is stopped. How can I take care of myself? You should make sure you understand why your blood sugar is high. You should follow your health care provider's directions carefully to keep your blood sugar normal. This usually means you need to:
Not keeping your blood sugar at normal levels can cause very serious problems, including heart and blood vessel disease, strokes, kidney failure, and loss of vision. What can I do to prevent hyperglycemia? If you are not diabetic and there are others in your family who have hyperglycemia or type 2 diabetes, you should:
If you do have diabetes, follow your health care provider's recommendations for eating healthy, getting physical activity, and taking your medicines to keep your blood sugar normal.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File DHD3912F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
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