What is hyperglycemia? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Hyperglycemia is the term for elevated blood glucose levels. See what its causes and symptoms are, and what the treatment looks like.

Hyperglycaemia is when the blood glucose level becomes too high. Very often, it does not cause any symptoms, and abnormalities can only be detected with blood tests. If hyperglycemia persists for too long, it gradually damages internal organs.

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are two dangerous situations that can happen to people with diabetes. They cause complications and a significant deterioration of health. Therefore, diabetics should take special care of themselves: – follow the doctor’s instructions, take appropriate doses of drugs, perform regular examinations and follow a healthy diet.

What is hyperglycemia?

Hyperglycaemia is a state of elevated blood glucose in the fasting state as well as two hours after a meal (an increase in glucose immediately after a meal is natural). When it persists for a long time, the person is diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes and requires appropriate treatment. Undiagnosed or underestimated hyperglycaemia can lead to damage to internal organs.

Hyperglycaemia is defined when the fasting blood glucose level exceeds 99 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L). An abnormal value two hours after a meal is one that exceeds 199 mg/dL (11.0 mmol/L). Obtaining the test result with the above values ​​is an indication for further diagnostics.

What are the causes of hyperglycemia?

There can be many different causes of hyperglycaemia. In the case of healthy people, elevated glucose levels may be the result of stress—the hormones that are released then increase the tissue resistance to insulin. High sugar is also the result of consuming too many simple carbohydrates (e.g., in the form of sweets between meals). Unfortunately, hyperglycaemia often means that a person has already developed pre-diabetes or diabetes .

However, possible causes of hyperglycemia in a person diagnosed with diabetes include:

• malnutrition.
• If you are taking too low a dose of insulin or an antidiabetic medicine,
• Skip a dose of the drug.
• little physical activity .

Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy may mean that a woman has gestational diabetes. It is a special type of disease associated with a rise in hormone levels that leads to the development of insulin resistance and an overload on the cells of the pancreas. High glucose levels adversely affect the fetus, so the pregnant woman should be under close medical supervision.

What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?

The symptoms of hyperglycemia are not always observable. Values ​​slightly above the norm are imperceptible to the patient, therefore, abnormalities can only be detected in a blood test (in the laboratory or with the use of a glucometer). The first symptoms may appear after several years or when the blood glucose level reaches a very high level. 

Possible symptoms of hyperglycaemia include:

• lack of energy and constant fatigue,
• increased thirst,
• weight loss
• blurry vision,
• greater susceptibility to urinary tract infections.

High hyperglycemia can make a person confused and sleepy. Nausea and vomiting may also appear, and in severe cases even disturbances of consciousness (including coma), which are life-threatening.

Treatment of hyperglycemia

Treatment of hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes includes the use of oral anti-diabetic drugs or subcutaneous insulin injections. Changing the lifestyle is also important; the patient should strive to maintain an appropriate body weight, engage in regular physical activity, and follow an anti-diabetic diet. In addition, there is self-control in the form of daily blood glucose checks with a glucometer.

In the event of high hyperglycaemia, the person who is sick requires immediate medical attention. It is necessary to administer insulin by continuous infusion and intravenous hydration in order to balance the acid-base balance. This is done in a hospital setting. Treatment of hyperglycemia, like the diagnosis of diabetes itself, is associated with the necessity of hospitalization and unexpected expenses. 

The effects of hyperglycemia

Excess glucose in the blood causes gradual damage to tissues and internal organs , as a result of which they cease to function. As a result, the patient’s quality of life deteriorates significantly. The possible effects of a hypoglycaemia include:

• Eye damage (e.g., diabetic retinopathy)
• nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy),
• Kidney damage
• development of atherosclerotic lesions (and thus an increase in the risk of heart attack and stroke).

Diabetic coma is very dangerous and can even lead to death.