Hyperglycaemia
What causes high blood sugar?
A variety of things can trigger an increase in blood sugar level in people with diabetes, including:
- stress
- an illness, such as a cold
- eating too much, such as snacking between meals
- a lack of exercise
- dehydration
- missing a dose of your diabetes medication, or takingan incorrect dose
- over-treating an episode of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- taking certain medicines, such as steroid medication
Occasional episodes of hyperglycaemia can also occur in children and young adultsduring growth spurts.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), a common problem that affects people with diabetes. Find out its causes, symptoms and treatments.
Ishyperglycaemia serious?
The aim of diabetes treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible. But if you have diabetes, no matter how careful you are, you're likely to experience hyperglycaemia at some p
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia in people with diabetestend to develop slowly over a few days or weeks. In some cases, there may be no symptoms until the blood sugar level is very high. Symptoms of hyperg
Whatshouldmy bloodsugar level be?
When you're first diagnosed with diabetes, your diabetes care teamwill usually tell you what your bloodsugar level is and what you should aim to get it down to. You may be advised to use a testing de
What causes high blood sugar?
A variety of things can trigger an increase in blood sugar level in people with diabetes, including: stress an illness, such as a cold eating too much, such as snacking between meals a lack of e
Treating hyperglycaemia
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes and you have symptoms of hyperglycaemia, follow the advice your care teamhas givenyou to reduce your blood sugar level. If you're not sure what to do, contact y
When to geturgent medical attention
Contactyour diabetes care team immediatelyif you have a high blood sugar level and experience the following symptoms: feeling or being sick abdominal (tummy) pain rapid, deepbreathing signs of
How to prevent hyperglycaemia
There are simple ways to reduce your risk ofsevere or prolonged hyperglycaemia: Be carefulwhat you eat be particularly aware of how snacking and eatingsugary foodsor carbohydrates can affect your
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