Excess glucose, or blood sugar, in the body causes hyperglycemia in diabetic patients and occasionally in non-diabetic patients who are ill. The body maintains energy requirements by transforming carbohydrates into sugar, or glucose. Insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas, is required for glucose to enter the bloodstream and find its way to the body's tissue for energy. When glucose cannot exit the bloodstream due to inefficient insulin levels, a large buildup of blood sugar develops. The complications of hyperglycemia are serious and life threatening side effects are possible, if the condition remains untreated.
Increased Urination, Thirst and Weight Loss
As the body's blood sugar levels rise, glucose may filter into the urine triggering a process causing heavy amounts of urination, or polyuria, according to the Mayo Clinic. The increased urination severely dehydrates the body. A person with diabetes becomes extremely thirsty, a condition referred to as polydipsia, during an episode of hyperglycemia. Severe dehydration causes additional side effects including confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. The Merck Manual explains that the body's inability to process sugar, along with the water loss associated with heavy urination, leads to involuntary weight loss.
Vision Problems
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among adults, according to the American Optometric Association. Blindness results from long-term high blood sugar levels and complications associated with the eye. The increased levels of glucose in the body harm four parts of the eye--the retina, the vitreous fluid, the lens and the optic nerve. The most common eye problem related to hyperglycemia is diabetic retinopathy. As this condition develops, the blood vessels of the eye begin to weaken. Blood may leak and block light from hitting the retina. Damaged blood vessels cause scar tissue to grow; the tissue may eventually pull the retina back from the eye and block light. Floating spots, dots or flashes of light are signs of a detached retina, according to the National Institutes of Health. A detached retina leads to blindness if left untreated. Glaucoma and cataracts are also vision problems that occur more frequently in diabetics. The American Optometric Association suggests that diabetics have dilated eye exams yearly to prevent vision complications.
Ketones and Ketoacidosis
Type 1 diabetics quickly develop ketones in the blood if sugar levels are too high. Ketones develop when the body is deprived of glucose and begins to break down fat cells for fuel. The process forms ketones, a toxic compound that increases acidity in the blood. High levels of ketones create the dangerous condition of ketoacidosis. The Merck Manual warns that ketoacidosis rapidly progresses in a few hours; a coma and death can result if the condition is not treated. Signs of ketoacidosis include deep and rapid respirations, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and abdominal pain in children. A person suffering from ketoacidosis develops breath odor similar to nail polish remover, according to the Merck Manual. A person is tested for ketones by placing a chemical strip into a sample of urine; testing kits are available to use at home.
