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Signs & Symptoms of Acute Hyperglycemia

Acute hyperglycemia is a condition in which a person's blood glucose level is too high. The condition is common among diabetics and is a main cause of complications in people with the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. Hyperglycemia can develop among diabetics when they do not inject enough insulin or the insulin the body makes may not be as effective as it should at regulating blood sugar, according to the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center. Because the condition can be serious, it's important for diabetics to learn to notice the signs of hyperglycemia early.

  1. Increased Thirst

    • When a person's blood sugar level gets too high, it can result in increased and abnormal thirst. Along with this increased thirst can come more frequent urination.

    Vision Changes

    • Acute hyperglycemia can cause vision changes such as blurred or double vision, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Fatigue

    • When blood sugar levels are too high, people can be fatigued or extremely tired. Lethargy and weakness are also common, according to the National Institutes of Health.

    Headaches

    • Some diabetics frequently develop headaches when their blood glucose levels begin to get too high, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Ketoacidosis

    • In severe cases, acute hyperglycemia can cause ketoacidosis, a serious condition in which the body does not have enough insulin and cannot use glucose for energy. When glucose isn't available, the body begins breaking down fats, producing ketones. When too many ketones build up in the body, the result is ketoacidosis. Signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis include an extremely dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath and fruity-smelling breath, according to the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center. Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition that can cause comas in diabetics.

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