Hyperglycemia occurs when the level of sugar in the blood is high above the target range. It is a risk factor in diabetes, but it can happen with those who have not been diagnosed with diabetes as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, hyperglycemia can be the result several factors, from not getting enough insulin to eating the wrong kinds of food to a lack of exercise. The symptoms of hyperglycemia are usually what motivates a person to have their blood sugar checked by their doctor. If you are currently diabetic and experience symptoms of hyperglycemia, see your health care provider immediately, as hyperglycemia can have serious consequences.
Frequent Urination
This condition is also referred to as polyuria. It is a condition in which the patient experiences the need to urinate often, and usually has a greater urine output as well. According to the American Diabetes Association, high blood sugar puts excess pressure on the kidneys, as they have to work overtime to filter the sugar out of the blood. When the blood sugar is too high, they are not able to complete this task, which means they have to send sugar back into the blood stream, and sometimes sugar can spill out into the urine, which is why urine blood sugar tests can be very effective.
Excessive Thirst
To excrete the excess sugar out of the blood, the kidneys have to produce more urine. The Nemours Foundation reports that as the kidneys increase the urine output, as in polyuria mentioned above, the body needs to take in more water to replace the fluid that is lost. This is referred to as polydipsia. Excessive thirst is a sign that blood sugar may be too high, and you may be in a state of hyperglycemia.
Hunger
The Nemours Foundation also reports that excessive hunger (polyphagia) can accompany excessive thirst as a hyperglycemia symptom. Since sugar is can not get into cells where it would be used for energy, the kidneys are flushing it out of the body. The lack of energy makes you feel hungry, so you want to eat more and more to gain energy back.
Vision Problems
Hyperglycemia can show itself through eye trouble also. According to the Penn State College of Medicine, high blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels, although the exact mechanism of "how" is not quite understood. The blood vessels that lead to the retina become weak, which causes them to leak fluid into the vision field of the eye, causing blurred vision or the appearance of "spots" in front of the eye.
If you have diabetes, or are experiencing any of the above symptoms of hyperglycemia, see your physician as soon as possible, as this can lead to a serious condition called "ketoacidosis," which can be life threatening.
