Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia refers to the presence of high concentrations of glucose in the blood. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes are susceptible to hyperglycemia. Pre-diabetes is a susceptibility to hyperglycemia and an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Hyperglycemia should not be confused with hypoglycemia which is low blood sugar. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are potentially dangerous conditions.
Someone may recognize the common, initial symptoms of hyperglycemia as being the same as the initial signs of diabetes. Hyperglycemia often causes increased thirst, increased appetite, and frequent urination.
Fatigue, weight loss, impotence, dry skin, dry mouth, and recurrent infections such as yeast infections are symptoms of hyperglycemia. A person with hyperglycemia may also notice that wounds like cuts do not heal as well as they used to.
Hyperglycemia is worse for diabetic patients during illness or stress. During times of illness, diabetic patients may have difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels. Many diabetic patients could benefit from stress management as part of their diabetes management plans.
Sugar may also be present in the urine of people with hyperglycemia. Hyperlycemia may not cause any symptoms. Illness and stress can make a person susceptible to hyperglycemia.
Blood sugar levels are tested regularly by diabetic patients to check for hyperglycemia. Diabetes medication may be used to treat and prevent hyperglycemia.
The levels of glucose in the blood can be reduced by exercising. Exercise encourages the utilization of gluclose from the blood by the muscles. Before exercising to reduce blood glucose levels, diabetic patients should test for the presence of ketones since ketones can cause blood glucose levels to rise from exercise.
A dangerous diabetes complication is ketoacidosis. When the body does not have insulin to allow it to use glucose from the blood for energy, the body breaks down fat. Ketones are caused by the process of breaking down fat.
Ketoacidosis can also be caused by skipping meals or hypoglycemia. When the body does not have glucose from food intake, fat may be broken down for energy which causes the production of ketones.
Ketoacidosis causes vomiting, nausea, fruity smelling breath, abdominal pain, dry mouth, and shortness of breath. If a person develops ketoacidosis, the person can enter a diabetic coma or die. Diabetic patients with symptoms of ketoacidosis should seek immediate emergency medical treatment.
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