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Hyperglycemia a Severe Problem of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, which means you have to deal with some of the problems that go along with having the disease. One of those problems is hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia happens from time to time to all people who have diabetes.

Hyperglycemia can be a serious problem if you don not treat it. Hyperglycemia is a major cause of many complications that happen to people who have diabetes. For this reason, it is important to know what hyperglycemia is, what its symptoms are, and how to treat it.

Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood sugar. High blood sugar happens when the body has too little, or not enough, insulin or when the body cannot use insulin properly.

A number of things can cause hyperglycemia. For example, if you have type 1 diabetes, you may not have given yourself enough insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body may have enough insulin, but it is not as effective as it should be.

The problem could be that you ate more than planned or exercised less than planned. The stress of an illness, such as a cold or flu, could also be the cause. Other stresses, such as family conflicts or school or dating problems, could also cause hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia

The signs and symptoms include:

• High blood sugar
• High levels of sugar in the urine
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst

Controlling and monitoring blood glucose levels

Keeping diabetes in control can be achieved by frequent checking of blood sugar levels. Consult a physician for knowing how often one should check blood sugar levels and what is the optimal level. Checking blood and then treating high blood sugar early will help in avoiding other symptoms of hyperglycemia.

It is important to treat hyperglycemia as soon as it is detected. If it is left untreated then a condition called ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) could occur.

Ketoacidosis: A hyperglycemia complication

Ketoacidosis develops when body does not have enough insulin and without insulin, body can't use glucose for fuel. Therefore, body breaks down fats to use for energy.

Break down of fats results in the formation of waste products called ketones. As body cannot tolerate large amounts of ketones and it will try to get rid of them through the urine. Unfortunately, the body cannot release all the ketones and they build up in blood. Hence, leading to ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis is a life threatening complication and needs immediate treatment and its symptoms are discussed below:

• Shortness of breath
• Breath that smells fruity
• Nausea and vomiting
• A very dry mouth

Treatment for hyperglycemia

Often, one should lower blood sugar level by exercising. However, if blood sugar is above 240 mg/dl, then urine analysis for ketones must be done. If ketones are present then do NOT exercise.

Exercising, when ketones are present might make blood sugar level go even higher and work with the doctor to find the safest way for lowering blood sugar level.

Cutting down the amount of food intake might also help. Dietitian can make changes in meal plan. If exercise and changes in diet don't work then doctor might change the amount of medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when to take it.

Prevention of Hyperglycemia

Best way of prevention is to practice good diabetes control and the trick is to learn about its early detection and treatment, before it can get worse.