Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia

Overview

High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, affects people who have diabetes. Several factors can play a role in hyperglycemia in people with diabetes. They include food and physical activity, illness, and medications not related to diabetes. Skipping doses or not taking enough insulin or other medication to lower blood sugar also can lead to hyperglycemia.

It's important to treat hyperglycemia. If it's not treated, hyperglycemia can become severe and cause serious health problems that require emergency care, including a diabetic coma. Hyperglycemia that lasts, even if it's not severe, can lead to health problems that affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

Symptoms

Hyperglycemia usually doesn't cause symptoms until blood sugar (glucose) levels are high — above 180 to 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Symptoms of hyperglycemia develop slowly over several days or weeks. The longer blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious symptoms may become. But some people who've had type 2 diabetes for a long time may not show any symptoms despite high blood sugar levels.

Early signs and symptoms

Recognizing early symptoms of hyperglycemia can help identify and treat it right away. Watch for:

Frequent urination

Increased thirst

Blurred vision

Feeling weak or unusually tired

Later signs and symptoms

If hyperglycemia isn't treated, it can cause toxic acids, called ketones, to build up in the blood and urine. This condition is called ketoacidosis. Symptoms include:

Fruity-smelling breath

Dry mouth

Abdominal pain

Nausea and vomiting

Shortness of breath

Confusion

Loss of consciousness

Causes

Hyperglycemia most often results from a lack of insulin. This can happen due to insulin resistance and/or issues with your pancreas — the organ that makes insulin.

Other hormones can contribute to the development of hyperglycemia as well. Excess cortisol (the “stress hormone”) or growth hormone, for example, can lead to high blood sugar:

Insulin resistance

A common cause of hyperglycemia is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, also known as impaired insulin sensitivity, happens when cells in your muscles, fat and liver don’t respond as they should to insulin.

When your cells don’t properly respond to insulin, your body requires more and more insulin to regulate your blood sugar. If your body is unable to produce enough insulin (or you don’t inject enough insulin), it results in hyperglycemia.

Insulin resistance is the main cause of Type 2 diabetes, but anyone can experience it, including people without diabetes and people with other types of diabetes. It can be temporary or chronic.

Common causes of insulin resistance include:

Obesity. Scientists believe obesity, especially excess fat tissue in your belly and around your organs (visceral fat), is a primary cause of insulin resistance.

Physical inactivity.

A diet of highly processed, high-carbohydrate foods and saturated fats.

Certain medications, including corticosteroids, some blood pressure medications, certain HIV treatments and some psychiatric medications. These may cause temporary or long-term insulin resistance depending on how long you take them.

Certain hormonal conditions can lead to insulin resistance, such as:

Cushing syndrome (excess cortisol).

Acromegaly (excess growth hormone).

Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the placenta releases hormones that cause insulin resistance. For some people, this leads to gestational diabetes.

Certain inherited genetic conditions are also associated with insulin resistance, including:

Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome.

Donohue syndrome.

Myotonic dystrophy.

Alström syndrome.

Werner syndrome.

Pancreas issues

Damage to your pancreas can lead to a lack of insulin production and hyperglycemia. Pancreatic conditions that can cause hyperglycemia and diabetes include:

Autoimmune disease: In Type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas for unknown reasons. This means your pancreas can no longer make insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) also results from an autoimmune reaction, but it develops much more slowly than Type 1.

Chronic pancreatitis: This condition causes prolonged inflammation of your pancreas, which can damage the cells that produce insulin. This can result in a lack of insulin and hyperglycemia. Pancreatitis is a known cause of Type 3c diabetes.

Pancreatic cancer: Cancer in your pancreas can damage the cells that produce insulin, resulting in a lack of insulin and hyperglycemia. About 25% of people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed with diabetes 6 months to 36 months before the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Cystic fibrosis: People who have cystic fibrosis develop excessive mucus, which can scar their pancreas. This can cause their pancreas to produce less insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD).

Temporary causes of hyperglycemia

Certain situations can temporarily increase your blood sugar levels and cause hyperglycemia in people with and without diabetes.

Physical stress, such as from an illness, surgery or injury, can temporarily raise your blood sugar. Acute emotional stress, such as experiencing trauma or work-related stress, can increase your blood sugar as well. This is because your body releases cortisol and/or epinephrine (adrenaline).

Causes of hyperglycemia in people with diabetes

Several factors can contribute to hyperglycemia in people with diabetes. It can develop if things like food and diabetes medications are out of balance.

Common situations that can lead to hyperglycemia for people with diabetes include:

Not taking enough insulin, injecting the wrong insulin or expired insulin, or an issue with the injection (such as from a site issue in insulin pump therapy).

Not timing insulin and carb intake correctly.

The amount of carbohydrates you’re consuming isn’t balanced with the amount of insulin your body can make or the amount of insulin you inject.

The dose of oral diabetes medication you’re taking is too low for your needs.

Being less active than usual.

Dawn phenomenon.

Risk factors

Many factors can contribute to hyperglycemia, including:

Not using enough insulin or other diabetes medication

Not injecting insulin properly or using expired insulin

Not following your diabetes eating plan

Being inactive

Having an illness or infection

Using certain medications, such as steroids or immunosuppressants

Being injured or having surgery

Experiencing emotional stress, such as family problems or workplace issues

Illness or stress can trigger hyperglycemia. That's because hormones your body makes to fight illness or stress can also cause blood sugar to rise. You may need to take extra diabetes medication to keep blood glucose in your target range during illness or stress.

Complications

Long-term complications

Keeping blood sugar in a healthy range can help prevent many diabetes-related complications. Long-term complications of hyperglycemia that isn't treated include:

Cardiovascular disease

Nerve damage (neuropathy)

Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) or kidney failure

Damage to the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy) that could lead to blindness

Feet problems caused by damaged nerves or poor blood flow that can lead to serious skin infections, ulcerations and, in some severe cases, amputation

Bone and joint problems

Teeth and gum infections

Emergency complications

If blood sugar rises very high or if high blood sugar levels are not treated, it can lead to two serious conditions.

Diabetic ketoacidosis. This condition develops when you don't have enough insulin in your body. When this happens, glucose can't enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy.

When fat is broken down for energy in the body, it produces toxic acids called ketones. Ketones accumulate in the blood and eventually spill into the urine. If it isn't treated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to a diabetic coma that can be life-threatening.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. This condition occurs when the body makes insulin, but the insulin doesn't work properly. Blood glucose levels may become very high — greater than 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L) without ketoacidosis. If you develop this condition, your body can't use either glucose or fat for energy.

Glucose then goes into the urine, causing increased urination. If it isn't treated, diabetic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state can lead to life-threatening dehydration and coma. It's very important to get medical care for it right away.

Prevention

To help keep your blood sugar within a healthy range:

Follow your diabetes meal plan. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medication, be consistent about the amount and timing of your meals and snacks. The food you eat must be in balance with the insulin working in your body.

Monitor your blood sugar. Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record your blood sugar level several times a week or several times a day. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level stays within your target range. Note when your glucose readings are above or below your target range.

Carefully follow your health care provider's directions for how to take your medication.

Adjust your medication if you change your physical activity. The adjustment depends on blood sugar test results and on the type and length of the activity. If you have questions about this, talk to your health care provider.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider sets your target blood sugar range. For many people who have diabetes, Mayo Clinic generally recommends the following target blood sugar levels before meals:

Between 80 and 120 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (4.4 and 6.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)) for people age 59 and younger who have no medical conditions other than diabetes

Between 100 and 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (5.6 and 7.8 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)) for:

People age 60 and older

Those who have other medical conditions, such as heart, lung or kidney disease

People who have a history of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or who have difficulty recognizing the symptoms of hypoglycemia

For many people who have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association generally recommends the following target blood sugar levels:

Between 80 and 130 mg/dL (4.4 and 7.2 mmol/L) before meals

Less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) two hours after meals

Your target blood sugar range may differ, especially if you're pregnant or you have other health problems that are caused by diabetes. Your target blood sugar range may change as you get older. Sometimes, reaching your target blood sugar range can be a challenge.

Home blood sugar monitoring

Routine blood sugar monitoring with a blood glucose meter is the best way to be sure that your treatment plan is keeping your blood sugar within your target range. Check your blood sugar as often as your health care provider recommends.

If you have any symptoms of severe hyperglycemia — even if they seem minor — check your blood sugar level right away.

If your blood sugar level is 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) or above, use an over-the-counter urine ketones test kit. If the urine test is positive, your body may have started making the changes that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Talk to your health care provider about how to lower your blood sugar level safely.

Hemoglobin A1C test

During an appointment, your health care provider may conduct an A1C test. This blood test shows your average blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months. It works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, called hemoglobin.

An A1C level of 7% or less means that your treatment plan is working and that your blood sugar was consistently within a healthy range. If your A1C level is higher than 7%, your blood sugar, on average, was above a healthy range. In this case, your health care provider may recommend a change in your diabetes treatment plan.

For some people, especially older adults and those with certain medical conditions, a higher A1C level of 8% or more may be appropriate.

How often you need the A1C test depends on the type of diabetes you have and how well you're managing your blood sugar. Most people with diabetes receive this test 2 to 4 times a year.

Treatment

Home treatment

Talk to your health care provider about managing your blood sugar. Understand how different treatments can help keep your glucose levels within your target range. Your health care provider may suggest the following:

Get physical. Regular exercise is often an effective way to control blood sugar. But don't exercise if you have ketones in your urine. This can drive your blood sugar even higher.

Take your medication as directed. If you develop hyperglycemia often, your health care provider may adjust the dosage or timing of your medication.

Follow your diabetes eating plan. It helps to eat smaller portions and avoid sugary beverages and frequent snacking. If you're having trouble sticking to your meal plan, ask your health care provider or dietitian for help.

Check your blood sugar. Monitor your blood glucose as directed by your health care provider. Check more often if you're sick or if you're concerned about severe hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

Adjust your insulin doses. Changes to your insulin program or a supplement of short-acting insulin can help control hyperglycemia. A supplement is an extra dose of insulin used to help temporarily correct a high blood sugar level. Ask your health care provider how often you need an insulin supplement if you have high blood sugar.

Emergency treatment for severe hyperglycemia

If you have signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, you may be treated in the emergency room or admitted to the hospital. (4p4) Emergency treatment can lower your blood sugar to a normal range. Treatment usually includes:

Fluid replacement. You'll receive fluids — usually through a vein (intravenously) — until your body has the fluids it needs. This replaces fluids you've lost through urination. It also helps dilute the extra sugar in your blood.

Electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are minerals in your blood that are necessary for your tissues to work properly. A lack of insulin can lower the level of electrolytes in your blood. You'll receive electrolytes through your veins to help keep your heart, muscles and nerve cells working the way they should.

Insulin therapy. Insulin reverses the processes that cause ketones to build up in your blood. Along with fluids and electrolytes, you'll receive insulin therapy — usually through a vein.

As your body returns to normal, your health care provider will consider what may have triggered the severe hyperglycemia. Depending on the circumstances, you may need additional tests and treatment.

Type of Doctor Department :An Endocrinologist