Hyperglycemia and Ketoacidosis High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, affects people who have diabetes. Several factors can play a role in hyperglycemia in people with diabetes. They include food and physical activity, illness, and medications not related to diabetes. Skipping doses or not taking enough insulin or other medication to lower blood sugar also can lead to hyperglycemia.
It's important to treat hyperglycemia. If it's not treated, hyperglycemia can become severe and cause serious health problems that require emergency care, including a diabetic coma. Hyperglycemia that lasts, even if it's not severe, can lead to health problems that affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. *Symptoms* Hyperglycemia usually doesn't cause symptoms until blood sugar (glucose) levels are high — above 180 to 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Symptoms of hyperglycemia develop slowly over several days or weeks. The longer blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious symptoms may become. But some people who've had type 2 diabetes for a long time may not show any symptoms despite high blood sugar levels. *Early signs and symptoms* Recognizing early symptoms of hyperglycemia can help identify and treat it right away. Watch for: - Frequent urination - Increased thirst - Blurred vision - Feeling weak or unusually tired *Later signs and symptoms* If hyperglycemia isn't treated, it can cause toxic acids, called ketones, to build up in the blood and urine. This condition is called ketoacidosis. Symptoms include: - Fruity-smelling breath - Dry mouth - Abdominal pain - Nausea and vomiting - Shortness of breath - Confusion - Loss of consciousness *When to see a doctor* *Seek immediate help from your care provider or call 911 if:* - You have ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, and you can't keep any food or fluids down - Your blood glucose levels stay above 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (13.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)) and you have symptoms of ketones in your urine *Diabetic ketoacidosis* Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes <https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001214.htm>. It occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic. *Causes* DKA happens when the signal from insulin in the body is so low that: - Blood sugar (glucose) can't go into cells to be used as a fuel source. - The liver makes a large amount of glucose. - Fat is broken down too rapidly for the body to process. The fat is broken down by the liver into a fuel called ketones. Ketones are normally produced by the liver when the body breaks down fat after it has been a long time since your last meal. These ketones are normally used by the muscles and the heart. When ketones are produced too quickly and build up in the blood, they can be toxic by making the blood acidic. This condition is known as ketoacidosis. DKA is sometimes the first sign of type 1 diabetes in people who have not yet been diagnosed. It can also occur in someone who has already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Infection, injury, a serious illness, missing doses of insulin shots, or the stress of surgery can lead to DKA in people with type 1 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes <https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000313.htm> can also develop DKA, but it is much less common and less severe. It is usually triggered by prolonged uncontrolled blood sugar, missing doses of medicines, or a severe illness or infection. KR IRS 11 7 23 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZootodqHwERsTsKfOz1cqyBcy2f5StN136nTWNi7x6Kptw%40mail.gmail.com.
