Hyperglycaemia
Hyperglycaemia literally means high blood glucose. Raised blood glucose can cause damage to your body’s other organs over a period of time.
What is hyperglycaemia?
Hyperglycaemia is the medical term for elevated blood glucose levels. This occurs when your blood glucose rises above your target range. The best way to know if your blood glucose is within your target range is to test your blood glucose level.
What are the causes of hyperglycaemia?
Any one of the following, or combinations of, may cause high blood glucose:
Each individual’s experience of high blood glucose is unique. However, the following are the most common signs and symptoms for hyperglycaemia:
The signs can often be very subtle and may even be caused or aggravated by other conditions. For this reason some people are occasionally tempted to ignore the warning signs of high blood glucose levels. This can be very dangerous.
If you experience any warning signs, even very subtle ones, do not ignore them.
The best way to know if your blood glucose level is within your target range is to perform a blood glucose test. If you discover that your blood glucose level is too high, contact your health care team1.
You should call a member of your healthcare team if you:
Reference:
1. The Journal of Clinical and Applied Research and Education: American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations 2002: Diabetes Care. Vol 25. No 1. January.
What is hyperglycaemia?
Hyperglycaemia is the medical term for elevated blood glucose levels. This occurs when your blood glucose rises above your target range. The best way to know if your blood glucose is within your target range is to test your blood glucose level.
What are the causes of hyperglycaemia?
Any one of the following, or combinations of, may cause high blood glucose:
- Less insulin production in your body due to the progression of type 2 diabetes.
- Missed or forgotten insulin or oral diabetes medication
- Eating too much
- Eating the wrong types of food
- Less than usual exercise
- Infection or illness
- Other medications which may affect blood glucose levels
Each individual’s experience of high blood glucose is unique. However, the following are the most common signs and symptoms for hyperglycaemia:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Dry, itchy skin
- Poor healing wounds
- Fainting/coma (if high blood glucose is ignored for a period of time)
The signs can often be very subtle and may even be caused or aggravated by other conditions. For this reason some people are occasionally tempted to ignore the warning signs of high blood glucose levels. This can be very dangerous.
If you experience any warning signs, even very subtle ones, do not ignore them.
The best way to know if your blood glucose level is within your target range is to perform a blood glucose test. If you discover that your blood glucose level is too high, contact your health care team1.
You should call a member of your healthcare team if you:
- Think your diabetes medication may need to be changed
- Experience three or four high blood glucose levels in a row
- Have two or more high blood glucose readings in 24 hours
- Experience high blood glucose levels at the same time every day for several days in a row
- Measure blood glucose levels higher than that determined by your health care team
Reference:
1. The Journal of Clinical and Applied Research and Education: American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations 2002: Diabetes Care. Vol 25. No 1. January.
