Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) means that the amount of sugar in your bloodstream is higher than it should be. The symptoms of hyperglycemia include: blurry vision, headache, increased thirst, increased urination, irritability, tiredness, and unexplained weight loss over a period of time.
When you have diabetes, eating a larger meal than usual, missing a dose of medication or insulin, or being sick, inactive, or being stressed can cause your blood sugar to be high. It is important to know if your blood sugar is high, so you can take action to bring it back into your target range.
If you have high blood sugar, it is helpful to understand the cause. So, when you have a high blood sugar level, think about your management plan and what might be happening to cause this increase in blood sugar.
Some helpful things to do when your blood sugar is high:
- Drink lots of water and sugar-free fluids (limit fluids with sugar, including fruit juices).
- Follow your recommended meal plan (if you do not have a plan, meet with your dietitian).
- Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. If your blood sugar remains high, see your doctor or diabetes educator.
- Test your blood sugar to see if the actions you are taking are working to bring your blood sugar back into your target range.
If you have high blood sugar, but still feel well, increase your physical activity (for example, take a walk). Always ask your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
Medical Management of Type 1 Diabetes, 4th Edition, American Diabetes Association, 2004
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) describes a blood sugar level of less than about 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), but some people feel symptoms when their blood sugar is a little higher than that. Low blood sugar can happen when there is too much insulin in your system, or you have not eaten enough, have skipped a meal, or had too much activity without enough carbohydrate to meet that demand. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include: feeling shaky, sweaty, weak, dizzy, irritable, extremely hungry, and having a headache.
If you become hypoglycemic, do the following things:
- If possible, test your blood sugar to verify.
- Take some type of fast-acting sugar, like 3 glucose tablets (you can buy these at the drug store), a ½ cup of fruit juice, 3-4 pieces of hard candy, a small box of raisins or ½ cup of regular soda (not diet).
- If you are not feeling better in 10-15 minutes, it is best to re-test, and have more sugar.
Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, American Diabetes Association, 2008