Hyperglycemia

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Hyperglycaemia (also spelled hyperglycemia) is a medical condition where the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is higher than normal. It’s commonly associated with diabetes mellitus, but can also occur temporarily in response to stress, illness, or certain medications.

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🧠 What Is Hyperglycaemia?

🔬 Definition:

• Fasting blood glucose > 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL)

• Post-meal (random) glucose > 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)

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⚠️ Symptoms of Hyperglycaemia

• Frequent urination (polyuria)

• Excessive thirst (polydipsia)

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue or drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Unintentional weight loss

• Slow-healing wounds or infections

• In severe cases: nausea, vomiting, confusion, or coma (especially in diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state [HHS])

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🧪 Common Causes of Hyperglycaemia

Category	Specific Triggers
Diabetes	Poor insulin function or resistance
Medication	Corticosteroids, antipsychotics
Diet	High sugar/carbohydrate intake
Stress/Illness	Infections, surgery, trauma
Hormonal Disorders	Cushing's syndrome, thyrotoxicosis
Lack of Physical Activity	Reduced glucose uptake by muscles

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💊 Treatment of Hyperglycaemia

1. 🥗 Lifestyle Changes

• Dietary control: reduce sugary foods and refined carbs.

• Exercise: helps reduce glucose by increasing insulin sensitivity.

• Weight loss: particularly helpful for Type 2 diabetes.

2. 💉 Medications

For Type 1 Diabetes:

• Insulin therapy is essential (rapid, intermediate, or long-acting)

For Type 2 Diabetes:

• Metformin (first-line)

• SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin)

• GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide)

• DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin)

• Sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride)

• Insulin (if oral drugs fail)

3. 🏥 Emergency Management

For severe hyperglycaemia, especially in:

• DKA (Type 1): Use IV insulin, fluids, and electrolyte replacement.

• HHS (Type 2): Use IV fluids, insulin, monitor electrolytes.

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🧪 Monitoring

• Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using glucometers

• HbA1c testing every 3-6 months

• Ketone testing in Type 1 diabetics during illness or high glucose

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🔁 Long-term Complications (if untreated)

• Cardiovascular disease

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)

• Kidney failure

• Retinopathy (vision loss)

• Amputations due to poor wound healing