When to Call the Doctor for High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can be a serious problem if left alone. All diabetics should test their blood sugar frequently and keep a close watch on their sugar range. Blood sugars can quickly get out of hand and can lead to deadly conditions such as Ketoacidosis or HHNS. Calling your physician or going to an emergency room is vital when these conditions arise.

Ketoacidosis

• The website familydoctor.org reports that Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a condition that occurs when you have high blood sugars and a build-up of acids called ketones. This condition can lead to coma and death if left untreated. The familydoctor.org website and the website diabetes.com both report that this disease should be taken very seriously, and you should be aware of the warning signs which are:
  Continuous vomiting
  Pain in the stomach
  Diarrhea
  2 blood glucose level tests higher than 300
  A blood glucose level less than 70
  Trouble breathing
  Increased thirst
  Fruity odor on the breath

  If you have any of these symptoms, you should call your physician immediately or go to the emergency room.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)

• The website diabetes.com reports that HHNS is a disease that occurs mostly in the elderly population and can happen when a person is ill, has an infection or has missed a dose of their medicine. It may take days or weeks to develop this condition. One of the main symptoms of this disease is frequent urination. Some other symptoms are:
  Extreme thirst
  Dry mouth
  Warm, dry skin that does not sweat
  High fever
  Sleeplessness
  Confusion
  Loss of vision
  Hallucinations
  Weakness on one side of the body

  It's also critical to call your physician if you see any of these symptoms. If left untreated, this condition can lead to dehydration, seizures, coma and eventually death.

Contacting the Physician

• Most physicians want to be contacted when a patient's blood sugar or glucose levels reach 250 or higher. Some physicians may instruct their patient to take insulin and repeat a glucose test to see if their blood sugar responds. Each physician, however, is different and may instruct their patients in different ways.