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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHigh blood sugar (hyperglycemia) affects people who have diabetes. Several factors can contribute to hyperglycemia, including food and physical activity choices, illness, or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication.
Hyperglycemia causes symptoms — such as increased thirst, urination and fatigue — when blood sugar (glucose) values are significantly elevated. In many cases you can treat such elevations on your own through steps such as adjusting your medications or the foods you eat.
It's important to treat hyperglycemia, because if left untreated, hyperglycemia can become severe and lead to serious complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar syndrome and diabetic coma. These conditions require emergency medical assistance. In the long term, persistent hyperglycemia, even if not severe can lead to diabetes related complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html. Accessed Dec. 9, 2009.
- Nathan DM, et al. Medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes: A consensus algorithm for the initiation and adjustment of therapy: A consensus statement of the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:193.
- Shane F, et al. Metabolic and endocrine emergencies. In: Stone CK, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Emergency Medicine. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3112282. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
- Collazo-Clavell ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 2, 2010.
- A1C. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/a1c/. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
- Kitabchi AE, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
- Your guide to diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. Diabetes overview. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/type1and2/YourGuide2Diabetes.pdf. Accessed Dec. 23, 2009.
- Checking your blood glucose. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/blood-glucose-checks.jsp. Accessed March 5, 2010.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2010. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:S11
- Diagnosis and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/diabetes_mellitus__type_2/management_of_type_2_diabetes_mellitus__9.html. Accessed March 3, 2010.
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