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Hyperglycaemia means high blood sugar. In diabetics, the causes of elevated blood glucose levels are usually poorly treated diabetes, e.g. a wrong dose of insulin or a diet error. The symptoms of hyperglycaemia (hypoglycaemia) are not always recognized. Sometimes ailments may be insignificant or appear so slowly that the patient may not be aware of them, which poses a threat to his he alth and life. Find out about the causes and symptoms of hyperglycaemia, its treatment and first aid for hyperglycaemia.

Hyperglycaemia (hyperglycaemia)meanshigh blood glucose , i.e. when the fasting blood glucose level is 100-125 mg / dL (impaired fasting blood glucose), and two hours after a meal 140-199 mg / dL (impaired glucose tolerance).

In he althy people, fasting blood sugar does not exceed 99 mg / dL (normal fasting glucose), and 2 hours after a meal, it is maximum 140 mg / dL (normal glucose tolerance).

  • AFTERMALTAGE - standards. Normal postprandial glycemia

In patients with type 1 diabetes, a blood glucose level greater than 110 mg / dl before a meal or 140 mg / dl 2 hours after a meal is considered to be too high. In turn, in patients with type 2 diabetes, these values ​​will be in the range of 123-185 mg / dl (on average about 154 mg / dl).

It should be noted, however, that the fasting and postprandial sugar values ​​may be different for each diabetic. These differences are due to the type of diabetes, age of the patient, duration of the disease and the presence of other diseases (e.g. cardiovascular).

Contents:

  1. Hyperglycemia (hypoglycemia) - causes
  2. Hyperglycemia (hyperglycaemia) - how to recognize the symptoms?
  3. Hyperglycemia (hypoglycemia) - first aid
  4. Hyperglycaemia (hyperglycaemia) - treatment
  5. Hyperglycaemia (hyperglycaemia) - complications

Hyperglycemia (hypoglycemia) - causes

In diabetics, hyperglycemia is most often the result of poorly treated diabetes, i.e.

  • taking the wrong medications
  • wrong dose of insulin
  • use of inactive insulin
  • missed dose of diabetes medications

Hyperglycaemia can also occur if treatment is discontinued(withdrawal of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs).

Hyperglycaemia can develop during infections and inflammations that increase insulin requirements. However, the diabetic pancreas is unable to produce more of it.

The blood glucose is increasing, but there is no insulin to reduce it. As a consequence, glycaemia increases. In turn, hyperglycemia additionally weakens the immune mechanisms: the infection lasts longer, it is easy to develop bacterial and fungal infections, wounds heal poorly.

Increased blood sugar may also be the result of dietary mistakes - eating too much of products containing simple carbohydrates. Stress, insufficient physical activity, or strenuous exercise can also cause hyperglycemia.

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The risk of hyperglycaemia is also increased by some drugs, not only over-the-counter drugs (e.g. lozenges or cough syrup), but also beta-blockers, epinephrine (adrenaline), thiazides (a group of diuretics), corticosteroids, niacin , pentamidine (a medicine for pneumocystosis pneumonia), protease inhibitors and some antipsychotics. Administering stimulants, such as amphetamines, can also cause symptoms of hyperglycaemia.

In he althy people, hyperglycemia may indicate undiagnosed diabetes. In addition, hyperglycemia of any severity is found in more than half of organ donors.

In this case, the cause of hyperglycemia may be impaired insulin secretion, reduced peripheral tissue sensitivity to insulin, the use of inotropic agents, and the infusion of glucose-containing fluids.

Hyperglycaemia can also be a sign of insulin resistance, which is resistance to insulin at the cellular level (usually in type 2 diabetes).

According to an expertJolanta Mętrak, internist

Hyperglycemia and stressMy mother has diabetes and takes insulin. Despite following the recommendations of a diabetologist, her glucose levels are sometimes high. Does stress affect blood glucose levels?

Jolanta Mętrak, internist: Stress generally raises blood sugar levels through the action of stress hormones that are antagonistic to insulin. However, I warn you against overestimating the role of stress in incorrect sugar levels and justifying this situation. Most often, it is an incorrect diet and lack of exercise that causes hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia (hypoglycemia) - how to recognizesymptoms?

The symptoms of hyperglycaemia(hypoglycaemia) usually develop slowly enough that they may not be noticed by diabetics.

The symptoms of hyperglycemia appear when there is insufficient insulin, which allows glucose to be delivered to the cell. When blood sugar is greater than 180 mg / dL, the following appears:

  • increased thirst (thanks to fluids, the body can dilute too much sugar)
  • frequent urination, especially at night (the body gets rid of excess sugar in the urine)
  • headaches
  • difficulty concentrating
  • blurred vision
  • fatigue
  • sleepiness
  • weight loss

Prolonged hyperglycemia can cause symptoms such as:

  • dry, itchy, or skin infections
  • vaginal infections
  • slow wound healing
  • vision problems
  • painful, insensitive to stimuli and cold feet
  • hair loss on the lower limbs
  • erectile dysfunction
  • gastrointestinal problems such as chronic constipation or diarrhea

Hyperglycemia (hypoglycemia) - first aid

First aid for hyperglycaemia should be provided as soon as possible after the first symptoms of an increase in blood glucose levels appear.

Failure to do so may result in serious complications. The most dangerous of these is ketoacidosis, which can lead to hyperglycemic coma and even death.

If you have symptoms of hyperglycaemia, call the emergency department, whether you are unconscious or alert. If your glucose level is too high, you may need to add a drip and insulin.

In most cases, the person providing first aid is not able to determine the patient's blood sugar level. For this reason, it cannot check whether the patient is suffering from hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Therefore, it is better not to give him anything sweet to eat or drink, but wait for the emergency room.

Important

Symptoms characteristic of hyperglycemia, i.e. difficulties in maintaining balance, sometimes slurred speech or loss of consciousness, are also characteristic of intoxication. Therefore, others should remain vigilant and react when they meet a person who appears to be under the influence of alcohol.

If you are conscious and you are sure that hyperglycemia is the cause of your he alth problems, give them s alt water to drink to help prevent dehydration and flush excess sugar out of the body.

If the sick person is unconscious,symptoms that indicate hyperglycemia will be:

  • acetone smell from the mouth
  • dry skin
  • accelerated heart rate

Then there is nothing else but to put him in the recovery position and control his breathing and heart rate. You should also take care to keep the patient warm (e.g. cover him with a blanket, jacket, coat).

Hyperglycaemia (hyperglycaemia) - treatment

If the blood glucose level is high, you should aim for the so-called compensating for diabetes, i.e. achieving the best possible glucose levels. You should:

  • take diabetes medications or insulin in the right doses and at the right time
  • eat meals in the right amounts and at the right times, drink plenty of water
  • Check your blood glucose frequently and record the results in the self-check diary
  • lead an active lifestyle and exercise regularly

If strict adherence to your diabetes treatment plan does not lower your blood sugar levels, you may need to change your medications, insulin or doses, increase your physical activity, or make a more detailed meal plan.

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Hyperglycaemia (hyperglycaemia) - complications

Maintaining high blood sugar levels for a long time can lead to serious complications, such as nerve damage, blood vessel damage, blindness, and kidney failure. The risk of getting infections may also increase. Hyperglycemia also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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The most serious complication is ketoacidosis. It is a serious disorder that can occur in people with type 1 diabetes, especially. Acidosis occurs when insulin is lacking. The body looks for other sources of energy.

In order to obtain energy, fat and muscle tissue are burned. Under these conditions, ketone bodies are formed that acidify the blood. At the same time, the blood glucose level is high. Increasing the amount of ketone bodies can lead to the development of ketoacidosis.

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Category:

Diabetes