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How do I know when my blood sugar is high?

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia increased thirst and a dry mouth. needing to pee frequently. tiredness. blurred vision. unintentional weight loss. recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections.

nhsinform.scot - Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) - Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform

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Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) can affect people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as pregnant women with gestational diabetes. It can occasionally affect people who don't have diabetes, but usually only people who are seriously ill, such as those who have recently had a stroke or heart attack, or have a severe infection. Hyperglycaemia shouldn't be confused with hypoglycaemia, which is when a person's blood sugar level drops too low.

This information focuses on hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes.

Is hyperglycaemia serious?

The aim of diabetes treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible. But if you have diabetes, no matter how careful you are, you're likely to experience hyperglycaemia at some point. It's important to be able to recognise and treat hyperglycaemia, as it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Occasional mild episodes aren't usually a cause for concern and can be treated quite easily or may return to normal on their own. However, hyperglycaemia can be potentially dangerous if blood sugar levels become very high or stay high for long periods.

Very high blood sugar levels can cause life-threatening complications, such as:

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) – a condition caused by the body needing to break down fat as a source of energy, which can lead to a diabetic coma; this tends to affect people with type 1 diabetes hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) – severe dehydration caused by the body trying to get rid of excess sugar; this tends to affect people with type 2 diabetes Regularly having high blood sugar levels for long periods of time (over months or years) can result in permanent damage to parts of the body such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys and blood vessels. If you experience hyperglycaemia regularly, speak to your doctor or diabetes care team. You may need to change your treatment or lifestyle to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia

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Symptoms of hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes tend to develop slowly over a few days or weeks. In some cases, there may be no symptoms until the blood sugar level is very high.

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia include:

increased thirst and a dry mouth

needing to pee frequently

tiredness

blurred vision

unintentional weight loss

recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia can also be due to undiagnosed diabetes, so see your GP if this applies to you. You can have a test to check for the condition.

What should my blood sugar level be?

When you're first diagnosed with diabetes, your diabetes care team will usually tell you what your blood sugar level is and what you should aim to get it down to. You may be advised to use a testing device to monitor your blood sugar level regularly at home, or you may have an appointment with a nurse or doctor every few months to see what your level is.

Target blood sugar levels differ for everyone, but generally speaking:

if you monitor yourself at home – a normal target is 4-7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5-9mmol/l two hours after a meal if you're tested every few months – a normal target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5% on the older measurement scale)

What causes high blood sugar?

A variety of things can trigger an increase in blood sugar level in people with diabetes, including:

stress

an illness, such as a cold

eating too much, such as snacking between meals

a lack of exercise

dehydration

missing a dose of your diabetes medication, or taking an incorrect dose

over-treating an episode of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)

taking certain medicines, such as steroid medication

Occasional episodes of hyperglycaemia can also occur in children and young adults during growth spurts.

Treating hyperglycaemia

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If you've been diagnosed with diabetes and you have symptoms of hyperglycaemia, follow the advice your care team has given you to reduce your blood sugar level. If you're not sure what to do, contact your GP or care team.

You may be advised to:

change your diet – for example, you may be advised to avoid foods that cause your blood sugar levels to rise, such as cakes or sugary drinks

drink plenty of sugar-free fluids – this can help if you're dehydrated

exercise more often – gentle, regular exercise such as walking can often lower your blood sugar level, particularly if it helps you lose weight if you use insulin, adjust your dose – your care team can give you specific advice about how to do this You may also be advised to monitor your blood sugar level more closely, or test your blood or urine for substances called ketones (associated with diabetic ketoacidosis). Until your blood sugar level is back under control, watch out for additional symptoms that could be a sign of a more serious condition (see below).

When to get urgent medical attention

feeling or being sick

abdominal (tummy) pain

rapid, deep breathing

signs of dehydration, such as a headache, dry skin and a weak, rapid heartbeat

difficulty staying awake

These symptoms could be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis or a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (see above) and you may need to be looked after in hospital.

How to prevent hyperglycaemia

There are simple ways to reduce your risk of severe or prolonged hyperglycaemia:

nhsinform.scot - Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) - Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform

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