Hyperglycemia(high blood sugar) can come on gradually in people withtype 2 diabetes.

Some people do not recognize they have hyperglycemia symptoms for years.

This article covers the symptoms of high blood sugar.

hyperglycemia symptoms

© Verywell, 2018

It also goes over the complications of uncontrolled hyperglycemia and when to see a healthcare provider about your symptoms.

In fact, that’s one reason why many people haveundiagnosed diabetes.

If you are hyperglycemic, this process becomes much more difficult on your kidneys.

They will need to work overtime to absorb the excess glucose.

The more fluids your tissues lose, the stronger your urge to drink will be.

Your cells end up starved of energy, which causes you to feel more hungry than usual.

This can affect your ability to focus on what you’re looking at and may lead to blurry vision.

Fatigue

Normally, your cells absorb blood sugar for energy.

This can make you feel sluggish or fatiguedespecially after youve eaten a high-carb meal.

Since yeast feeds on sugar, having elevated blood sugar levels can lead to an overgrowth of yeast.

For people with a vagina,frequent yeast infectionsare common if they have high blood sugar levels.

High blood sugar levels can also affect fertility and can complicate pregnancy.

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy can be particularly damaging to a pregnant person and fetus.

ADA guidelines for people with diabetes emphasize the importance of preconception counseling.

Mental Health

Researchers also think its possible that your blood sugar levels might affect your mood.

This condition can cause nausea and very slow digestion.

Stomach pain can also be a sign ofdiabeticketoacidosis, a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away.

These symptoms can be warning signs of other diabetes-related conditions that can result in death if not treated immediately.

It causes symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands, feet, or legs.

It most often occurs in people who are non-insulin dependent (bang out 2 diabetes).

HHNKC is characterized by dangerously high blood sugar over 600 mg/dL.

It is typically brought on by an infection such aspneumonia, aurinary tract infection, or uncontrolled blood sugar.

If left untreated, it can result in coma and even death.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Hyperglycemia can lead to another dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

This condition most commonly occurs in people who have pop in 1 diabetes.

DKA happens when the body has little or no insulin to use.

As a result, blood sugars rise to dangerous levels, and the blood becomes acidic.

This leads to cell damage.

If it continues to progress, DKA can cause a person to fall into a coma or die.

Like hyperglycemia, DKA tends to develop slowly.

The first symptoms are usually intense thirst and excessive urination.

Children with diabetes who have chronically elevated glucose levels are at increased risk for developing diabetes complications.

Go to the ER right away or call 911.

If you already know that you have diabetes, you may be checking your blood sugar levels regularly.

If youre having symptoms of high blood sugar, test your levels to see what they are.

However, if you notice elevated blood sugar for several consecutive days, give your medical team a call.

It can be a sign that your treatment won’t go well for you.

Summary

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is an early warning sign of diabetes.

It causes symptoms like excessive thirst and hunger, increased urination, and fatigue.

Hyperglycemia symptoms tend to come on gradually and may go unnoticed until more serious complications develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are very similar.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Diabetes, heart disease, & stroke.

American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

Stoner G.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.Am Fam Physician.

2017;96(11):729-736. management of diabetes in pregnancy: standards of medical care in diabetes-2022.Diabetes Care.

2022;45(Suppl 1):S232-S243.

2014;81(5):391-408. doi:10.1002/mrd.22299

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acanthosis nigricans: Signs and symptoms.

2020;4(1).

doi:10.1002/edm2.152

University of Michigan.Is your mood disorder a symptom of unstable blood sugar?.

American Diabetes Association.Diabetes & DKA (ketoacidosis).

2021;15(5):102252. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102252

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.

2017;101(3):587-606. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2016.12.011

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About diabetic ketoacidosis.

Raghupathy P.Diabetic ketoacidosis in children and adolescents.Indian J Endocrinol Metab.

2015;19(1):55-57. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.155403

American Diabetes Association.Diabetes complications.

Westerberg DP.Diabetic ketoacidosis: evaluation and treatment.Am Fam Physician.

2013;87(5):337-346.