Hyperglycemia — Find out what to do if your blood sugar level is too high.
You have diabetes. You're taking your medication and checking your blood sugar level. But your mouth feels dry, and you've been thirsty all day. When you check your blood sugar level, you discover it's a lot higher than your target range. This is known as hyperglycemia. It's serious — but you can take immediate steps to treat it.
Why blood sugar rises
Your diabetes treatment plan is designed to help you avoid hyperglycemia. But everyone has occasional episodes of high blood sugar. The most common culprits include:
- Eating too much food or the wrong foods
- Exercising too little
- Physical stress, such as an infection or other illness
- Emotional stress, such as family conflict or workplace challenges
- Forgetting to take your oral diabetes medication
- Problems with your insulin, such as not giving yourself enough insulin or using expired insulin
What to watch out for
Paying attention to the early signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia can help you treat the condition promptly. Watch for:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
If your blood sugar level climbs high enough, you may develop diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. When you have diabetic ketoacidosis, your body begins to break down fat for energy. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. When you have diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, your blood becomes thick and syrupy. Left untreated, both conditions are life-threatening.
What to do
If you have any signs or symptoms of hyperglycemia — even if they're subtle — check your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, use a home testing kit to check your urine for ketones. If the urine test is positive, your body may have started making the changes that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. You'll need your doctor's help to safely lower your blood sugar level.
If there are no ketones in your urine, you may be able to treat hyperglycemia on your own.
- Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of hyperglycemia, your doctor may adjust the dosage or timing of your medication.
- Get physical. Exercise is often an effective way to lower blood sugar. But there's a caveat. If you have ketones in your urine, exercise can drive your blood sugar even higher.
- Eat less. It helps to eat less and avoid sugary beverages. If you're having trouble sticking to your meal plan, ask your doctor or dietitian for help.
Long periods of hyperglycemia can damage your nerves, blood vessels and organs. But you can prevent these complications by following your diabetes treatment plan and treating episodes of high blood sugar quickly. Work with your diabetes treatment team to make sure your diabetes treatment plan is meeting your needs.
Last Updated: 03/22/2008
