Hyperglycemia often affects people living with diabetes

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can occur on a daily basis for many people living with diabetes. It can be frustrating to manage and difficult to determine the cause, which makes it more challenging to deal with. Hyperglycemia happens when there’s too much sugar (glucose) in your blood. There are many causes, but it’s usually due to either a lack of insulin (hormone) or the body’s inability to use insulin (insulin resistance). It is defined as a fasting blood sugar level over 125 mg/dL or a two-hour post-meal sugar of over 180 mg/dL.  
 

Symptoms

Symptoms of hyperglycemia can vary from person to person, but often include:

• Increased thirst and a dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Unintentional weight loss
• Recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis), and skin infections

Although many believe food is the main culprit, there can be numerous causes of hyperglycemia. Approximately 42 factors can have an impact on blood sugar numbers!  
 

Health effects

If left untreated, hyperglycemia can have significant short- and long-term effects on the body. Short-term high blood sugar can result in dehydration, unhealthy weight loss, headaches, and nausea. Long-term effects include cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage/failure, blindness (retinopathy), foot problems/amputations, bone and joint problems, and dental problems.   
 

Related health conditions

When sugar levels are unmanaged, it can lead to other complications.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

DKA is a serious and life-threatening complication of short-term hyperglycemia. It occurs when sugar cannot enter the cells of the body, so fat is broken down for energy instead. This produces ketones, which are toxic to our bodies and, if ignored, can lead to a coma that can be life-threatening. Symptoms of DKA include sweet “fruity” breath, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. If you suspect DKA, you should test for ketones at home and immediately contact your healthcare provider.  

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state is another short-term complication that occurs when insulin doesn’t work properly, and sugar levels become greater than 600 mg/dL. If this condition develops, your body can’t use glucose or fat for energy, which can lead to severe dehydration or coma as well.  

 

Standard of care: automated insulin delivery

The goal of blood sugar management is the prevention of long-term effects. Although not always avoidable, improved blood sugar management may help delay the onset of these complications. There are many approaches to control sugar levels in people with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), automated insulin delivery (AID) is the standard of care for the management of type 1 diabetes.

 

The MiniMed^TM 780G system

AID is the standard of care and it's important to select the right system! The MiniMed™ 780G system is designed to make diabetes management easier with features including an adjustable basal target, auto corrections, and Meal Detection™ technology* to assist with carb counting. Meal Detection™ technology with the MiniMed™ 780G system can provide additional insulin coverage if carbs are miscalculated at mealtimes. Nearly 50 percent of people living with type 1 diabetes struggle with meal management and consider it the most burdensome aspect of diabetes management.  

Takeaway

Hyperglycemia is often a daily concern for people living with diabetes. The causes, short- and long-term complications, and management of increased sugar levels can be challenging, but there are also many approaches to managing it. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider so you can choose the one that’s best for you!   

 

Written by:  Heather Cunningham, MS, RD, CDCES

 

References 

* Taking a bolus 15 – 20 min before a meal helps to keep blood sugar levels under control after eating.