Hyperglycaemia
Hyperglycaemia means high blood glucose level.
This can develop over many hours or days.
It is possible for the blood glucose level to be high
without a person realising.
Persistently high blood glucose levels for more
than 12-24 hours (above 15mmol/L) can result in
hyperglycaemia.
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
» Feeling excessively thirsty
» Frequently passing large volumes of urine
» Feeling tired
» Blurred vision
» Infections (e.g. thrush, cystitis, wound infections)
» Weight loss
Common causes of hyperglycaemia
» Sickness
» Infection
» Stress
» Too much carbohydrate food at once
» Not enough insulin, non-insulin injections
or diabetes tablets
» Other tablets or medicines
Treatment
For type 1 diabetes
1. Short acting insulin doses should be increased.
Extra doses of insulin may also be required.
2. Blood glucose levels should be tested frequently,
as well as checking for ketones.
3. Extra water should be consumed or low calorie fluids
to keep up with fluid lost by passing more urine.
Advice from a healthcare professional should be
sought as soon as possible if:
» vomiting stops a person from drinking and makes
eating difficult
» blood glucose levels remain high
» moderate to large ketones are present.
In type 1 diabetes, high blood glucose levels can
progress to a serious condition called ketoacidosis.
For type 2 diabetes
It is normal for blood glucose levels to go up and
down throughout the day. An occasional high blood
glucose level is not a problem. But if blood glucose
levels remain high for a few days or if the person is
sick, advice from a healthcare professional should be
sought as soon as possible
