Managing blood sugar can be tricky with diabetes, and even with tight blood sugar control, a diabetic may experience hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. The body uses blood sugar for energy and relies on insulin to regulate the proper amount of blood sugar for normal body functions. If insulin levels dip too low, blood sugar becomes unregulated and concentrated in the blood and is more difficult to metabolize into fuel. Hyperglycemia can occur with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and if left untreated, can cause serious complications.
Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when there is too little insulin in the body to properly control blood sugar levels. The body is unable to utilize sugar for energy, and instead begins to burn fat for fuel while blood sugar levels rise. A diabetic may experience low insulin levels during illness or as a result of problems with insulin medication therapy to control diabetes. The Mayo Clinic cites ketoacidosis as a serious complication of diabetes and can be fatal.
Ketoacidosis symptoms include unusually high blood sugar readings, extreme thirst, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and fruity breath odor. Symptoms appear rapidly and can progress quickly. Unconsciousness and death may result if ketoacidosis is left untreated.
Diabetic Hyperosmolar Syndrome
Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome is a complication of high blood sugar most often seen in people with Type 2 diabetes. This condition results when the body stores too much sugar in the blood and prevents the movement of electrolytes through the bloodstream, causing dehydration. Unlike ketoacidosis, the body may not burn fat stores for fuel, and symptoms may appear slowly over days, instead of appearing and progressing rapidly. Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome is a risk for diabetics who have poor diabetic control, make lifestyle choices that make hyperglycemia possible or who have been ill.
The National Institute of Health offers that confusion, increased thirst, shaky body movements, speech impairment and weakness are key symptoms of diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, along with high blood sugar readings. If left untreated, this condition can cause swelling of the brain, blood clots and respiratory collapse.
Coma
High blood sugar robs the brain of energy needed to function. Over time, hyperglycemia can trigger the brain to shut down; resulting in coma. A diabetic who is experiencing high blood sugar is at risk for becoming unconscious, and if not emergently treated, may progress to a comatose state. The American Diabetes Association recommends recognizing the symptoms of high blood sugar and maintaining good diabetic control to help reduce the risk of diabetic complications and coma.
