Hyperglycemia occurs when a patient’s blood sugar levels increase to abnormal levels. Levels of blood sugar may rise and fall due to eating habits, but once sugar levels in the blood are consistently higher than expected, a patient is diagnosed with hyperglycemia. The excess sugar levels are commonly seen in diabetic patients, and symptoms include increased thirst and frequent urination. Hyperglycemia increases the risk of developing various conditions, and patients should seek medical treatment before the disease begins to damage their bodies.
Cardiovascular Disease
Hyperglycemia increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, reports MayoClinic.com. Excess sugar in the bloodstream can damage the lining of the blood vessels. This can cause the vessels to scar or become narrower. Blood is unable to pass through these narrow vessels easily. This causes a rise in blood pressure and forces the heart to work much harder. The combination of the vessel damage, high blood pressure and increased work for the heart significantly increases the patient’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can be a risk in untreated hyperglycemia, states KidsHealth.org. The excess sugar is filtered through the tissues in the kidney. The sugar, or glucose, can cause damage to the filtering cells of the kidney if high levels accumulate within the organ. Higher levels of blood glucose that last for an extended period of time drastically increase the risk of developing kidney disease.
Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that can be caused by hyperglycemia. This disorder occurs when a patient’s body is unable to produce enough insulin, according to the American Diabetes Association. Without insulin, the body is unable to use sugar in the blood for energy. Instead, the body is forced to break down large amounts of fat to use as energy. As the fat is broken down, molecules called ketone bodies are produced. When in excess, ketone bodies can cross into the brain and cause neurological damage. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, nausea and dry mouth. If the condition remains untreated, the patient will become comatose.
Dermatologic Diseases
The risk of dermatologic, or skin, diseases increases if a patient suffers from chronic, untreated hyperglycemia, according to MayoClinic.com. Non-healing wounds, bacterial infections and fungal infections are some of the conditions that can manifest due to hyperglycemia. As the hyperglycemia persists, patients will suffer from this skin disorders much more frequently. Once the hyperglycemia has been controlled and proper medication given, the skin conditions should resolve.
Damage to the Eye
Visual problems can be a complication of hyperglycemia, states FamilyDoctor.org. The high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eye. These small blood vessels supply the retina, which is the part of the eye that sends visual signals to the brain. The blood vessels begin to leak fluid which can cause swelling of the retina. The swelling can cause further damage and scarring to the tissues of the eye. This condition is called retinopathy. If the hyperglycemic patient remains untreated, retinopathy can lead to permanent blindness.
