You feel a little more thirsty than normal today. Your head’s been pounding since you got out of bed. You keep rubbing your eyes, but your vision blurred. Sure, nothing seems too out of the ordinary, even if you’re not feeling your best right now.
These aren’t signs you should ignore, even if they don’t seem critical yet. You may be experiencing symptoms of hyperglycemia, a serious condition that shouldn’t be overlooked and can get worse if not addressed immediately.
What is Hyperglycemia?
When the sugar level in the blood rises above the normal level then medically such syndrome is termed as “Hyperglycemia”. Hyperglycemia or more frequently a “high blood sugar” is a condition that arises when an excessive quantity of glucose flows in blood plasma.
Hyperglycemia occurs when your blood glucose level shoots up. At this point, your body doesn’t have enough insulin or it’s not using its insulin in the right way.
People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can become hyperglycemic. For example, if a person with type 1 diabetes doesn’t take their insulin, their blood sugar level may skyrocket. People who eat too much, aren’t active and undergo either physical or emotional stress are at high risk for hyperglycemia.
Diabetics experience two types of hyperglycemia: fasting hyperglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia. With fasting hyperglycemia, the blood sugar level is higher than 130 after not eating for eight hours. In postprandial hyperglycemia, the blood sugar level is higher than 180. This often occurs a couple of hours after eating a large meal. If a person’s blood sugar level is elevated after most meals, they may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
The three most basic symptoms of hyperglycemia are dry mouth, frequent urination and excessive thirst. Additional symptoms of hyperglycemia that may occur are fatigue, blurred vision and nausea. These symptoms of hyperglycemia should be taken seriously. When left untreated, blindness and nerve damage can result. Also, resulting illnesses like heart disease and kidney disease can be fatal.
If you have symptoms of hyperglycemia, you’ll need to lower your blood sugar right away. The best way to do this is by exercising. However, if your blood sugar is above 250, you’ll want to check your urine for the presence of ketones. Ketones will raise your blood sugar even more once you’re active. Contact your doctor to find out how to lower your blood pressure quickly and safely if ketones are present.
The following are some of the common symptoms of hyperglycemia:
• Increased Urination
• Continuous Hunger
• Increased Thirst
• Blurred Vision
• Dryness in the Mouth
• Weakness
• Sudden Weight Loss
