Foods are broken down into glucose inside the body, which then travels through the blood to other body tissues to be used for energy. High blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, occurs when glucose is not absorbed properly by body tissues and accumulates in the blood, which can cause a number of problems if left untreated. Medical conditions can cause hyperglycemia. Immediate treatment and management of high blood glucose is recommended to help prevent complications such as a heart attack, kidney disease, stroke, ketoacidosis, coma or even death, according to TeensHealth.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common conditions that if not controlled, can cause high blood glucose levels. Diabetes occurs when cells in the body do not properly absorb glucose from foods ingested. Type 1 diabetes can be controlled by taking insulin after meals, and type 2 diabetes can be treated with medications, weight loss, exercise and diet modifications.
Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that can lead to diabetes if left untreated, and causes high blood sugar levels. People with pre-diabetes can help prevent the onset of diabetes by taking precautions to control their blood sugar levels. These may include dietary modifications, exercising and achieving a healthy body weight, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
Cushing's Syndrome
High blood sugar levels are one of the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Cushing's syndrome occurs when too much of the hormone cortisol builds up in your body, which can result from taking too much corticosteroid medications or too much of the cortisol hormone produced by the body.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that can cause high blood sugar levels. In people with cystic fibrosis, thick and sticky mucus produced by the body interferes with insulin production by the pancreas, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Cystic fibrosis can be managed and treated, but it can result in medical problems in both children and adults.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Because the pancreas produces insulin in the body, chronic pancreatitis can lead to high blood sugar levels and diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health. The NIH also notes that chronic pancreatitis can occur when the pancreas becomes inflamed or scarred due to alcohol abuse, genetics or unknown causes.
