Hyperglycaemia

What is hyperglycaemia?

Hyperglycaemia occurs when your blood sugar rises above the normal level, usually above 11mmol/l.

Hyperglycaemia can happen after you've eaten a big meal or if you are ill. Having the occasional brief rise in blood sugar is not usually serious.

There are two very good reasons why you should avoid having hyperglycaemia:

  • If you develop extremely high blood sugar, this can become a medical emergency if it’s not recognized and treated properly
  • Long periods of even moderately high blood sugar can lead to serious diabetic complications in the future.

High blood sugar

How do you know you have high blood sugar? Here are the common signs:

  • You feel  thirsty
  • You need to urinate more often
  • You may also feel hungrier than usual
  • You'll often feel more tired and sleepy than usual
  • You may have blurred vision
  • You may have cramps in your legs.
    • You may have noticed that the signs of hyperglycaemia are like the early signs of diabetes. In fact, you may have had some of these signs when you first found out you had diabetes.

    What to do if your blood sugar is high

    • You should tell your doctor about your high blood sugar, you may be advised to take a small additional dose of short-acting insulin
    • It is also a good idea is to test your urine for ketones, which you can get if you don’t have enough insulin in your system
    • Keep testing your blood sugar before your meals and adjust your insulin dose if your blood sugar readings show that you need to do this.

    Your blood sugar rises if:

    • You take too little insulin
    • You eat too much at mealtimes
    • You are ill and have a fever
    • You exercise less than usual
    • You are under physical or emotional stress
    • Your period is due.

    To avoid high blood sugar

    Here are a few things you can do to avoid getting high blood sugar:

  • Following a daily routine helps. Try to stick to a regular schedule with your insulin injections, meals and exercise.
  • What if you’re not a fan of regular routines? Well, you can try and make your life more flexible if you test your blood sugar frequently and adjust your insulin according to how much and when you eat and exercise. Your diabetes specialist nurse will be able to advise you further.

    • When you are ill

    It’s really important to avoid hyperglycaemia when you’re ill. Test your blood sugar and check for ketones in your urine. You may need more insulin to keep your blood sugar normal, even if you eat less than usual. Please contact your diabetes specialist nurse who will be able to advise you further.

    If you don’t have enough insulin to help sugar enter the cells in your body, you will burn fat instead. When this happens, your liver forms ketones, which are dangerous. Never stop taking your insulin when you’re ill and have a high temperature.

    The main things you need when you're ill are:

    • Insulin
    • Fluid
    • Sugar

    … and someone to look after you. Keep in touch with your doctor.

    Sick days and how to survive them

  • Continue to take your normal dose of insulin when you're sick
  • You may even need extra insulin
  • Test your blood sugar and check for ketones four or more times a day
  • If your blood sugar is too high, your doctor may recommend that you take additional units of short-acting insulin
  • Drink at least 3 litres of sugar-free liquid every 24 hours. Drink more if you are still thirsty
  • If you can't eat regular meals, have nourishing fluids. Most people can take soft drinks or soups even when they feel too sick to eat solid food. If you can’t even take fluids, you should see your doctor.


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    If your blood sugar keeps rising

    If your blood sugar keeps rising, ketones will build up in your blood and ketoacidosis can develop. This is a serious condition that needs immediate medical help.

    If you have ketones while you are ill with a fever or vomiting, you should call your doctor immediately. You will probably need to go to the hospital right away.

    Hyperglycaemia: A summary

    • It means high blood sugar, usually above 11 mmol/l
    • Signs of hyperglycaemia are like those of untreated diabetes
    • There are different reasons why hyperglycaemia may happen
    • Trying to stick to a regular daily routine can help keep blood sugar stable
    • Avoiding hyperglycaemia when you’re ill is very important.

     

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      INS/679/0107

    Last updated: May 2007