Hyperglycemia

What is Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is when the sugar (glucose) level in your blood is too high. It may not cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include warning signs, such as:

  • Feeling more thirsty than normal.
  • Hunger.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Needing to pee (urinate) more than normal.
  • Blurry eyesight (vision).

You may get other symptoms as it gets worse, such as:

  • Dry mouth.
  • Not being hungry (loss of appetite).
  • Fruity-smelling breath.
  • Weakness.
  • Weight gain or loss that is not planned. Weight loss may be fast.
  • A tingling or numb feeling in your hands or feet.
  • Headache.
  • Skin that does not bounce back quickly when it is lightly pinched and released (poor skin turgor).
  • Pain in your belly (abdomen).
  • Cuts or bruises that heal slowly.

High blood sugar can happen to people who do or do not have diabetes. High blood sugar can happen slowly or quickly, and it can be an emergency.

Follow these instructions at home:

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • Do not use products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
  • Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks per day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
  • Manage stress. If you need help with this, ask your doctor.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Eating and drinking

  • Stay at a healthy weight.
  • Exercise regularly, as told by your doctor.
  • Drink enough fluid, especially when you:
    • Exercise.
    • Get sick.
    • Are in hot temperatures.
  • Eat healthy foods, such as:
    • Low-fat (lean) proteins.
    • Complex carbs (complex carbohydrates), such as whole wheat bread or brown rice.
    • Fresh fruits and vegetables.
    • Low-fat dairy products.
    • Healthy fats.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.

If you have diabetes:

  • Make sure you know the symptoms of hyperglycemia.
  • Follow your diabetes management plan, as told by your doctor. Make sure you:
    • Take insulin and medicines as told.
    • Follow your exercise plan.
    • Follow your meal plan. Eat on time. Do not skip meals.
    • Check your blood sugar as often as told. Make sure to check before and after exercise. If you exercise longer or in a different way than you normally do, check your blood sugar more often.
    • Follow your sick day plan whenever you cannot eat or drink normally. Make this plan ahead of time with your doctor.
  • Share your diabetes management plan with people in your workplace, school, and household.
  • Check your urine for ketones when you are ill and as told by your doctor.
  • Carry a card or wear jewelry that says that you have diabetes.

Contact a doctor if:

  • Your blood sugar level is higher than 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) for 2 days in a row.
  • You have problems keeping your blood sugar in your target range.
  • High blood sugar happens often for you.

Get help right away if:

  • You have trouble breathing.
  • You have a change in how you think, feel, or act (mental status).
  • You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous), and that feeling does not go away.
  • You cannot stop throwing up (vomiting).

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

  • Hyperglycemia is when the sugar (glucose) level in your blood is too high.
  • High blood sugar can happen to people who do or do not have diabetes.
  • Make sure you drink enough fluids, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.
  • Contact your doctor if you have problems keeping your blood sugar in your target range.
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