What Is Hyperglycemia

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What is hyperglycemia? Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (blood sugar). High blood glucose happens when the body has too little insulin or when the body can't use insulin properly. What Cause Hyperglycemia? A number of things can cause hyperglycemia: If you have type 1, you may not have given yourself enough insulin. If you have type 2, your body may have enough insulin, but it is not as effective as it should be. You ate more than planned or exercised less than planned. You have stress from an illness, such as a cold or flu. You have other stress, such as family conflicts or school or dating problems. You may have experienced the dawn phenomenon (a surge of hormones that the body produces daily around 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.). What are the Symptoms of Hyperglycemia? High blood glucose High levels of sugar in the urine Frequent urination Increased thirst How Do I Treat Hyperglycemia? You can often lower your blood glucose level by exercising. However, if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, do not exercise. Cutting down on the amount of food you eat might also help. What happen if it goes untreated? Hyperglycemia can be a serious problem if you don't treat it, so it's important to treat as soon as you detect it. If you fail to treat hyperglycemia, a condition called ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) could occur. What is ketoacidosis? Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death. When your cells don't get the glucose they need for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are acids that build up in the blood and appear in the urine when your body doesn't have enough insulin. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control or that you are getting

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